Parents- How Would You Feel If a Teacher Shaved Her Head

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Three and a half years ago I participated in a fundraiser called St. Baldrick's. You collect donations for childhood cancer research by pledging to shave your head. My organization raised a lot of money and I very much enjoyed it. I haven't done it again because I've been growing out my hair for my wedding, but since I'll be married in December, I have been thinking about doing it again. The only problem is now I have a professional career.

I know it's not as socially acceptable for a woman to have a shaved head as it is for a man. I do plan on talking to my principal, but also wanted to see what some parent opinions are. I would certainly look into getting a wig if it were a problem, but that seems to defeat the purpose a bit.

 

[krcit]

I would be happy that my kids had such a caring and selfless teacher. I think they would all learn a valuable lesson from you.

 

[golfgal]

One of the band directors challenged the kids when DS18 was a freshman that if they won the state championship, he would let them shave his head (he had LONG curly hair). They won and had a head shaving party in the performing arts center. Kids got their names drawn as to who got to help shave his head. The principal AND superintendent came over for it and helped as well. The kids had a blast. I would think that they would have done the same had he been a she.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

As both a parent, and someone who supervises teachers, I wouldn't have a problem if you publicized the reason. In fact, I'd think it was great modeling for the children, and be quite pleased that my child/students had such an awesome teacher.

If you didn't tell why I'd probably worry about 2 possible conclusions.

1) You have cancer (I wouldn't ask because I think teachers deserve their privacy too, but since I generally like my kids teachers I'd worry about this a lot).

2) You're a skinhead, and I'd worry about what you're teaching.

But if you sent home a letter saying "this is why I'm doing it", I'd be fine, and probably donate too!

 

[waterford]

Personally it wouldnt bother me, and I think it is a wonderful example to show my kids.

 

[Disney Ella]

I would think she might be awfully cold in the winter around here. Other than that, I really don't care what teachers or anyone else does with their hair or head.

 

[scrapquitler]

I wouldn't care.

 

[wdwmom2]

Wouldn't bother me at all.

Have you seen the movie, "My Sister's Keeper"?? The one daughter is dying of leukemia. Her hair starts falling out due to her treatment, and now she thinks she is ugly. Mom (Cameron Diaz) gets tired of hearing this so she promptly marches into the bathroom and shaves her head! THAT, is a very unselfish act of love.

What a great movie!!! Brought tears to my eyes!

 

[RitaE]

I think the kids would get a kick out of it.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I think that is sounds like a beautiful thing that can really teach the kids a wonderful lesson on compassion.


However, what age do you teach? As a parent I would have no problem with it, but if you teach young children that sort of drastic change to your physical appearance could be a little freaky to them, even though you have discussed it. They will get used to it but may be a little unsettled for a few days. Also you need to make sure that the would fully understand that you do NOT have cancer. Young ones don't always grasp the full concept and may think that you are sick, going to die etc... And you may have to have the principal put out a message of what you are doing to ALL of the parents or the kids and parents in other classes will crank up the rumor mill since they will see the change but not know the reason.

If the kids are older than about 6 then I think they will get a complete kick out of it!

 

[Bluetickmom]

I will preface this with letting you know I am biased as my 8 year old daughter is a cancer survivor. That said, I think it is beyond awesome that you not only did this once but are willing to do it again. St. Baldrick's is a fantastic organization!

A few of my friends "Shaved For the Brave" this past year for St. Baldrick's. Before we went to see my one girlfriend I told my kid's that she had shaved and why so that they wouldn't be surprised when they saw her. Even my 5 year old was fine with it since I prepared her. If you were my child's teacher I would think it was a great thing you were doing.

By the way here is the link to the awesome group of women. http://www.46mommas.com

 

[PatsMom]

I think it would be a great thing to do. If you were my child's teacher I would have absolutely no problem with it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would find it admirable. I would also consider your motives to be none of my business--though I would be hopng you didn't have cancer. (don't chemotherapy patients often do a ceremonial shave?). But I wouldn't have any negative opinions of you if that is what you are worried about.

Eta: I would have a problem if I found out that your principal said no regardless of reason.

 

[allyphoe]

I've have no issue with it, regardless of the reason. Your hair, no skin off my nose.

 

[scrump]

I wouldn't care - I think that's awesome.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would like it, especially if it accompanied the book "Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie" in which the main character shaves his head for his brother You might be surprised to discover other students might want to join you, with their parents support of course.

 

[bellebud]

I think it's a fantastic thing to do. I'm w/ the other posters who say to let everyone know what it's about though... the kids might worry about your health, parents might worry about your mental health (I'm thinking of Britney Spears here)... what if you wore a bandana or headband-type thing that says the organization on it too? As a constant reminder about why you did it. You'll be teaching compassion to a lot of people by doing this - sounds awesome!

 

[Acklander]

(don't chemotherapy patients often do a ceremonial shave?).

When I had cancer I shaved my head before starting chemo - I didn't do it as a ceremonial thing, but because I have very long hair, I was afraid it would clog my drains once it started falling out.
OP - I wouldn't think anything of it if my DS's teacher (or anyone else for that matter) shaved her head, though I probably wouldn't know being that I only see her a couple of times a year.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When I had cancer I shaved my head before starting chemo - I didn't do it as a ceremonial thing, but because I have very long hair, I was afraid it would clog my drains once it started falling out.
OP - I wouldn't think anything of it if my DS's teacher (or anyone else for that matter) shaved her head, though I probably wouldn't know being that I only see her a couple of times a year.

I'm sorry to have said something ignorant.
I have a friend whose dd was diagnosed with cancer last February. When she posted updates on...geeze, im so tired I can't think of the name...the website where folks can keep family and friends updated. Anyway--she called it "ceremonial" when she had her head shaved when she was updating us. Perhaps she said thAt as a matter of coping.

Again-I'm sorry!

 

[Acklander]

I'm sorry to have said something ignorant.
I have a friend whose dd was diagnosed with cancer last February. When she posted updates on...geeze, im so tired I can't think of the name...the website where folks can keep family and friends updated. Anyway--she called it "ceremonial" when she had her head shaved when she was updating us. Perhaps she said thAt as a matter of coping.

Again-I'm sorry!

Oh, no reason to be sorry!!! I'm sure there are those who do it as a ceremonial thing, I was just adding another perspective