Parental Units...

Well I am moving out in less than a year so the whole place to stay thing isn't much of an issue for me.

 

They only want whats best for their children, but if you're gonna do it anyway, why fight to stop you!

 

I've lived away from parentals for 5 years. I don't even think they know I have dreads anyway. They'd disown me if they saw them...Oh wait, they already did. Yeah. No one gives me shit.

 

I guess it's up to you if you dread your hair and how you tell them. I would hope by the age of 19 that you have garnered enough respect from them to do whatever you choose to your physical experience.

I'm 30 and my parents do not like my hair. Originally my mom did, but then it got "Messy" and now she talks behind my back to my siblings about how I should be fixing it. It doesn't matter what age you are, your parents will always have an opinion about you. It all depends on how you will dela with that opinion.

 

Good point Daisy. I'm lucky enough that my parents realize that their opinions are exactly that. I would love it if my mom thought my locks were rad, but I'll settle with her just not really saying anything about them.

But for real, dreading is a great test of parental love. If they don't want you to dread, then they don't really love you. bwahahaaah. (!sarcasm alert!)

 

Here's a thought for anyone to answer. Do you think that when you're your parents age and you have kids do you think you'lll be more open minded about your kids hair when they hit the ages we are now? I don't think I'd let my kids dread until they were older [13 plus]. But I think I would totally welcome it if any of my kids got a crazy hairstyle.

 

As long as the continue to shower, it's all good. Kids with locks are rad.

 

I didn't know parents out there really cared about that kind of thing i guess i just got lucky. I attempted my first set of locks when i was 15 with my dad egging me on, and my mom not caring/accepting. Eventually cut those candles off and i will be trying again very soon. Dad is out of the picture now so
I told my mom last night, 'gettin dreads again, right way this time'
Alls she said was, 'Oh i should have taken some pictures of your hair while it was short'

 

Lived with my parents, basically living off them whilst in College, and told them I was getting dreads, my dad laughed and said 'dirty hippie kid living in my basement!' and my mom was all 'Well... I don't really like the hairstyle but if its on you and it's what you want, then I'll like it " And that was that. And I'm pretty sure my mom hates them, but she does good and sucks it up and says they're cute anyways. haha.

 

i suppose i was in a pretty similar situation to you, i dreaded last February, (i cant believe its nearly been a year already.) and moved out in August. i was sort of financially dependent on them but only out of my own laziness not to work more. anywhoo, they had a problem with me getting dreads, after many talks as to why i wanted them and what they would look like and of course that i knew the social stigma of having dreads they came round to the idea, they dont like them at all but they respect my choice.

anyway your parents are your parents, you will know how to deal with them, if anything i would suggest not to be afraid to just talk to them about the idea, you may find there less conservative than you think, or at least not force there ideals on you

 

i feel like the only person whos parents actauly like my hair lol my mom loves it and encourages and she wants them herself but isnt willing to grown out her hair lol

 

^^^

When I grew my first dreads, I was 34 and my youngest child, my son, was nine. He was embarrassed by my dreads and called them "dread uglies." I cut them off, mainly because I felt bad about my son feeling ashamed of my hair (nine is a sensitive age for wanting to "fit in").

Now my son is in college and loves dreads. When I grew mine this time, I was 45 and both of my kids (ages 24 and 21) have been so encouraging.

Funny, how it can run both ways...parents not liking kids' choices, kids not liking parents'....I think my son and I have BOTH grown up a lot over the past twelve years

 

SisterRags, I totally hear what you are saying. My oldest was 3.5 when I backcombed my hair and he couldn't stand looking at it. IT scared him so much I had to wear a hat to hide them. However, I have been facing what I feel is discrimination by people lately (people associated with my sons school) and I'm wondering if I should just say good bye to dreads until he's older and not so heavily dependent on aids and special services. Last year I was welcomed with open arms at his school and this year it's not the same... and I can only assume it's the dreads. Lots to think about.

 

I can relate to this, kind of... believe me.

I know for a fact I've been discriminated against for having dreads. For example; I went out with someone I was in love with for like 7 months and a week before I told her I was going to get them, she immediately started bringing up flaws in our relationship that were bogus.

Example: I wore basketball shorts to a lunch, I supposedly didn't drive to her house enough, one time i had a straw and piece of paper and made a spit ball.. apparently that is so immature. the list goes on like that. The day i got my dreads - she broke up with me and spat out new lame reasons.

Anyways I was kinda ranting // telling a story. Dreadlock discrimination is /lame. "Stay frosty" "Don't die yet, the fun's just beginning"

 

...Or maybe she just had enough.

 

Sorry to hear that nattyfred. To be honest though, I don't care what people in my personal life think about my hair... not at all. What bothers me is the treatment that my son may be receiving on account of my hair being dreaded. It is only getting worse as the months go on. If people in my personal life don't like dreads, too bad. I don't need them... really. And I would not want anything to do with your girl if she is that shallow. But my kids are my life and I live in a very conservative area. I won't type out all the specifics, but trust that ppl are assholes to me at the school and I can only assume it's soon going to trickle down to my boy. Hmm, I may make a new thread about this.

 

Hi Daisy! I replied to you on your thread. I know...I feel for you, believe me.

I TOTALLY understand, natty, about the importance of not compromising for just anybody - but your kid is not just anybody, so the situation is very different. Absolutely NO offense intended - just a different set of circumstances.

 

Yeah!, immature fuck!