In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day and my Irish heritage let’s talk redheads and more specifically what it’s like to raise a redhead child.
Redheads run in our family. My brother has red hair, my cousin has red hair and my husband’s sister too. But we were still surprised when our first born’s hair began to grow out and it was a beautiful red color. Molly looks exactly like my husband…there is no mistaking that they share DNA, and with that comes very intense dark brown eyes and a medium skin tone adorned with cute little freckles. And then that long, pretty, wild red hair. We get comments on it all the time, everywhere we go. I absolutely love it and can not imagine her without it. But with a redhead child comes great responsibility. And a lot of patience. Redheads are not for the faint of heart.
Having red hair is a rare occurrence, only happening in around 1 to 2 percent of the population and it’s actually a chromosome mutation that causes it. Mutation is a key word here and should set off some alarm bells. I am here to tell you all, the fiery and loud personality and temperament are not a joke. It is real people. But we are surviving (most days). Here are a few things that might be happening in my house on any given day.
- Socks. Our socks do not feel right on our feet- this happens almost every single morning. Molly cannot handle the way her socks feel when she puts shoes on. We take them off and put them back on about 10 million times and I say a little prayer each time that this time they feel right and we can go on about our day. Oh! And don’t forget the extra sass exchange as she boldly declares that she will fix her socks herself, my help is not needed!
- Options. Life is all about options these days. From the outfit we pick out to the shade of crayon that is perfect for My Little Pony’s hair in her coloring book. No decision can be made unless at least three options are presented. And then half the time she just says, “you decide Mom, I don’t know what to pick.” Just grab a shirt and pick up that pink crayon!
- Drama. Everything is SO dramatic. The tiny little speck on her hand? Oh that’s a boo-boo and it must be treated by the triage team because it’s a serious injury. That small marker stain on her shirt that you can only see when you squint your eyes and look extra hard? Outfit ruined! We must get a new shirt, after reviewing our 3 options of course. Nothing in my house is a simple exchange…the drama just seeps out of her everywhere she goes and everything she does.
- The Tantrum. Oh my, the tantrum. This is where I am surprised that I still have my sanity at all. I find myself being very strategic about what I say and do around her for fear of a total meltdown. And when I say meltdown I mean world is ending, drop to the floor flopping like a fish out of water and screeching in the highest pitch you have ever heard. Redheads don’t play around y’all. So if we are hanging out, just prepare yourself…the tantrum will happen and it won’t be pretty.
- Love. This girl loves so hard. In between the options and the tantrums and the drama are the sweetest moments. She has a natural desire to take care of people (and by people I mean all of her baby dolls and barbies) and she will sprint across the room to tackle you in kisses and hugs. She says hi to everyone she sees and will most likely compliment them on their outfit and shoes. If a friend is sad, she is the first one to try and cheer them up. She says “honey” as a term of endearment to her sister and friends. And she is the best couch cuddler around.
Redheads are a different breed. I should have known what was coming when she was a colicky baby, and I am terrified of the teenage years, but with all its struggles and pure exhaustion I wouldn’t have her any other way. I will take that beautiful bright red hair and the crazy personality that comes along with it any day. She is strong, confident and smart and I know her future is very bright! I just might need an extra glass of wine after bedtime.
Pro tip – if you have one of these so called redheads, sneak in to their room after they are asleep and get a good look. It’s the only time she is calm and still and peaceful.
Any other redhead Mommas out there? Anybody else share in my daily adventures? Let’s swap war stories!
**This post was originally published on March 15, 2016.
My favorite post so far!! I can’t wait to kiss my little redhead when I get home tonight!!
Thanks! Redhead mothers unite!
I’m a redhead and I’m raising a semi-redhead….on certain days it comes out just as you described it. Thanks for sharing and putting words to it;)!
Thanks for reading Beth!
Actually, I think this is just what it’s like raising a kid. ?
I know right, ha! Thanks for reading Kate!
Hallie. The description in your article is one of raising a child. Your ideology here is redicilous and concerning. How anyone on your team agreed that this is article is both logical and appropriate is unbelievable.
Derek, This post was written all in good fun and jest around St. Patrick’s Day to poke fun at some of the common characteristics red heads are thought to have. There’s no ideology except that children are children no matter what their hair color is.
I actually find this article offensive and I’d like to explain why. As a redhead, I have delt with people having “a little fun” at my expense for my entire life. We get used to people taking jabs at us because of our hair color. As an adult, I no longer care what people say, but as a child it upset me because stereotypes can me hurtful. The one thing I could always count on was my mom and most adults telling me how beautiful my red hair was. They never stereotyped me. Trust me; this acknowledgement made a difference when I felt different for not looking like everyone else. You undoubtedly love your child. I’d just like to ask for you to take just a moment and see how an article like this could be interpreted. I’m not an overly sensitive person, but I feel it’s my responsibility to bring awareness.
Yeah this article hurt my feelings, I’m one of the most even tempered people I know. People don’t know when I’m on or near my period. The author’s daughter is acting like most kids. I’ve not acted like a child, since I was a child. Shocking coming from a redhead right? Or a normal adult? I’m disappointed and hurt to see that a child will be raised with parents assuming that she will be one way because of the stereotypes attached to having the envied red locks. I’m not doubting that the author loves the daughter or not, but I think this was a bad article for many people.
As a red head myself with no red head kids I’m laughing at this! Thanks for sharing!! <3 (Shout out to my own Mother, ha!)
I love this article!!! I’m a redhead, and I was a lot like this as a kid!
I lost my fiery attitude in my late teen-early adult years. Hopefully I can find my redhead-sass again! (I mean, the confidence and independence and loving and bubbly attitude toward everyone, as I’m a little old to go back to throwing tantrums.) ??
How about people who feel they have the right to touch your kid’s hair after commenting on how beautiful it is?
I’m a redhead and I’m nothing like that. My brother had ADHD and tested my parents patience but I’m very different. We’re the only red heads in the family and while in some ways we’re the same others we were very different. All kids have different personalities and the color of hair doesn’t determine that anymore than their race.
I ABSOLUTELY love and AGREE with this! I am a red-head, just like my mother, and had a little red-headed girl of my own. I was told I was all of the above, and it was like reading an article about my childhood! Haha! Red-Heads are known for their temperaments and sensitive personalities too. We can be lovers one minute, fighters the next. We are protectors, outspoken, opinionated, very intelligent and make friends for life. We are definitely different, like you stated. I think a lot of it does have to do with stubbornness, and building up a tough skin when your teased a little when your a kid, but you know….you grow up and get over it. It was kid stuff. 40 some odd years later it shouldn’t be affecting you, if it is, I would definitely be calling to talk to someone. Great article! Good luck with your fiery princess. Mine is 26 now and still feisty as ever and has a 3 year old with the same red hair she had (same attitude too!) I guess the mom curse works! LOL
It sounds more like the trait “Highly Sensitivr Child.” My daughter has the trait (and is not a red head). Have you looked into HSC’s?