As parents, we want to encourage our children to express themselves and be confident in their own skin. But at what point do we draw the line on allowing them to make decisions about their appearance? Recently, a mother caused a stir on the internet when she admitted to letting her five-year-old daughter bleach her hair.
Demi Lucy May Engemann, who calls herself the “CEO of cool mom” in her bio, chronicled the mother-daughter hair visit on TikTok, which has since gone viral. In the video, Engemann explains that she allowed her daughter Maude to miss school for a “ladies’ day” at the salon, where the young girl received highlights in her hair. The video producer from Utah filmed the visit to show how thrilled Maude was with her newly blonde locks.
The video has received over 14.4 million views, and comments on the platform have been mixed. Some viewers saw the moment as a precious bonding experience between a mother and daughter. Others, however, were quick to mom-shame Engemann for letting her child alter her appearance at such a young age.
So, is it okay for kids to bleach their hair? As with most parenting decisions, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual child and the specific circumstances.
On one hand, it’s important for children to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Allowing them to make choices about their appearance, within reason, can be a positive way to encourage self-expression. On the other hand, it’s also important for parents to consider the long-term effects of such decisions and whether they align with the values they want to instill in their children.
In the case of Engemann and her daughter, it’s clear that the mother made the decision with the best intentions and with her child’s happiness in mind. However, it’s understandable that some may disagree with the decision and see it as inappropriate for a child so young.
Ultimately, the choice to bleach a child’s hair or allow any other significant changes to their appearance should be made with careful consideration and with the child’s best interests in mind.
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