A family in Progress

One of the things Gord and I dread most when it comes to Myles - is getting his haircut. Since his first one, at age one - it has been a task that we both despise. I’m sure our feelings are both based on *bad experiences* and Myles full out freak outs when it comes to this task.

In the past, my parents (dad and step mom) on two separate occasions cut Myles hair without our permission and butchered it both times. This has a minimal part in the estrangement with my parents at this time - but that’s for a whole other blog… ;). The hair dresser who cuts Gord’s hair had said not once in his 30 years of hair dressing had he ever seen a child freak out that badly.

The last time - we thought we had fooled Myles. We were informed of a place called *Cookie Cutters* that is a child’s paradise. We got him in there and put him in a cool little car seat, the hair dresser put on Thomas the Tank Engine (his favorite movie at that time) and he was preoccupied with a few little dinky cars to play with. What more could a kid want right??? WRONG, the minute this poor woman put on the cape - Myles was in hysterics. We had to actually wrap our arms around him to restrain him, while he was seat belted into this chair. The hair dresser smiled and us, and said we see this all the time - what would you like done? I looked at Gord, who looked at me….and together we said shave it!!! Our thinking…..the longer we could go until the next hair cut…..the better off we all were.

That time came, it was getting to the point that Myles could barely see and although Gord and I both knew it was time, neither one of us wanted to mention it. I finally called Cookie Cutters again this week and then called Gord to let him know we were booked.

I mentioned in passing to Titia that I had booked a hair cut for Myles and was dreading it!!!! She simply replied…..*I told you, I would do it*. All I could think was do I really want my friend seeing this side of my child? Do I really want her DD to see my child like this, when she is to be watching him the following week??? I knew the answer, so I did the best I could to set the scene for Titia and let her know - this would not be easy.

She finally got to me, when she said *I wish you would trust me!!!*. Are you kidding?? I trust her fully - it was the aftermath of my child I was worried about. Gord and I hummed and haa’d. But finally figured what the heck? It wasn’t like we hadn’t warned her, right?

So the reminder of the week I kept doing the - *Are you sure you want to do this??* type thing, each time I was met with positive optimism (one of the many things I love about her) . Saturday rolled around and we pulled into her driveway. I was armed with Timbits and chocolate milk, you know - the reward of champions! LOL!! I said to Myles *where are we??* and since he has a thing with numbers he quickly read me her house number, I then said and who lives here *Titia!!!* he replied, inside all i could think was - once you find out why I brought you here you aren’t going to be so excited!!

Titia opened the door and said *You didn’t tell him what we are doing, did you??* HAHA, I’m smarter then that *No* I replied.

I have to admire Titia’s tactics and she quickly tried to engage Myles in a fun craft of making something to hang in our tree so the birds could build nests with - the plan - to add Myles hair to it. I thought wow, what a great idea - she had him cut some string, rip some paper - but the part he liked the most was spraying his own hair with her water bottle. I remember thinking *Wow, it just might be smooth sailing*.

Of course I *thought* too soon. Once Myles started to figure out what was going on - the child I dreaded everyone seeing was about to come out. Titia quickly grabbed Myles and said, I’m taking you where mommy and daddy can’t hear you - and up the stairs they went. At first I was nervous - and doing the best I could not to run up the stairs when I heard the cry’s and screams of my child. There were some silent bits - where I Gord and I engaged in conversations and laughs with Titia’s DD and hubby, some at Myles and Titia’s expense!!! At one point, I remember saying during one of Myles screaming fits *I’m not sure who I feel more sorry for, Titia or Myles?* LOL!

As I spoke with Titia later, she told me that she closed the door upstairs and told Myles he could cry all he wanted, mommy and daddy couldn’t hear him and he stopped. At first I was thinking - WHAT??? But as this phrase sank in - she was right - Myles know’s that mommy is a sucker for his crying - he knows the minute that the tears come - mommy is there with a big hug - there to rescue him. I really was making it worse with my anxiety about it.

She also mentioned that he was ok until she brought out the clippers. He covered his ears and said too loud. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this before as all the pieces fit - but brought out the suggestion that he maybe super sensitive to loud noises. It makes sense, he hates the clippers, the jets of our tub, the fan in the bathroom, the vacuum etc. I guess the next step will be having the doctor to look at him to ensure there aren’t any problems.

However, the bottom line to this blog - is that this is my attempt in words to express my appreciation to Titia not just for encouraging us to give her a chance and doing a great job on Myles hair - but to thank her. Thank her for being my friend, thank her for allowing my family to feel as though we are apart of her’s, thank her opening my eyes, and thank her for endless selflessness and encouragement. Another reason why CPO rocks!

Thank you - my friend!

Posted by mmummy ( 2 Comments )