Four Feet More

Thank you all for your input on Vika's hair. After reading the post below and sharing your comments with her, I asked Vika what she wanted to do with her hair. I told her I agreed that the short hair did look more flattering, but said I also understood that she liked her long hair and wanted to look like a princess. I really expected there to be an involved discussion about compromise and the two of us working together to come up with a cute style that would make her happy.

Instead, Vika said "Cut it off!"

"What?" I replied. "Cut it off, just like that?"

Vika smiled and nodded her head vigorously. I believe your comments appealed to her vanity and she wanted to have a short, "sassy" style again. Vika also said she wanted to look like a "girl knight." (Last week I had shown her the series of books by Tamora Pierce that tell the story of girls who become knights. Vika had been sad because she was under the impression that only Eamon could grow up to be a knight since he was a boy.)

After breakfast, the two of us marched upstairs, and pulled out the scissors. Several of inches of hair later, here are the results (please forgive my photography - I dragged her outside and took the shot in breaks between the rain).

I'll probably have to touch it up a bit here and there (and straighten out those bangs), since Vika kept turning to look at herself in the mirror while I cut her hair (she is terribly vain, that girl!). But right now, Vika is quite happy with it. When I was done, she looked at herself in the mirror and giggled with delight. She's also been prancing around the house, swishing her hair this way and that, and trying to catch her reflection in every shiny surface she comes across. Success!

If she decides that she does want to grow her hair long again, I'll make sure to keep it neatly trimmed with layers to avoid the straggly look again.