Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Monique (Mom) on February 1, 2011 at 5:05pm

False eyelashes are not really for kids. They are so uncomfortable. You need glue to put them on and they fall off. Why does he need them? I don't think the kids would notice that he has no eyelashes. You can get them at any cosmetic store.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer M. Nielsen on February 1, 2011 at 5:42pm

Hi Erica! I have a son who is in K4 this year. He was diagnosised last year while in preschool. Started the year off with hair and by January, he was bald. Just recently, he lost his eyebrows and eyelashes. How old is your son? I guess I never even thought of buying fake lashes. If your could, please let me know if anyone does tell you where you can get them.
Thanks,
Jenny

Permalink Reply by Erica Gibson (Austin's mom) on February 1, 2011 at 5:51pm

I know this may be hard to hear, but I'm not sure false eyebrows would be for a child either. Is your son asking to wear them? I'm sure they would be itchy and I think it would be more devastating if for some reason they came off at school. I have a ten your old son who has no eyelashes or brows. People should except you son for who he is and not how he looks. Have you gotten the videos that NAAF has? We showed them to my sons entire 5th grade this year and it was very helpful.

Permalink Reply by Sara and William on February 1, 2011 at 6:12pm

Starting school is so hard, isn't it? However, let me reassure you that kindergarten isn't all that horrible. My son started first grade with a full head of hair, and by semester break he was bald. It got comments, but actually the kids adapted better than the adults in a lot of ways. When he started second grade bald, I was a stressed out mess, but everything worked out in the end. At that age, a bit of prevention (we brought his hairless cat in for show and tell, and that way we could talk about how she's not a perfect sphynx because she has a little hair, and her mom and dad were both completely bald. Sometimes she has a bit more hair and sometimes a bit less, just like William sometimes has more hair and sometimes less, etc. That worked wonders for Boo's self-esteem, being able to show off his cat and have something to point to to say he's not alone) along with "that's just the way it is" seemed to work best for us.

I don't know where you can get realistic looking eyelashes. I did get Boo a wig, but never eyelashes (he lost brows and lashes). Honestly, especially at that age, in my opinion (and you may have a totally different one, which is fine) it's pretty much the easiest time to go in and explain that some people have brown hair, some blonde, and some are bald, it's just the way it is. If your child is asking, then I am all for helping them get whatever they think they need, but I'm not going to be much help there, since we never did it.

Sorry I'm not more help,
--Sara

Permalink Reply by Karen Leffingwell on February 1, 2011 at 6:23pm

I have to say I agree with all the other comments. He will build his self-esteem and confidence if he faces it and let's kids know that this is the way he is--brows or not. My daughter started the school year and her hair was just starting to fall out and had a large bald spot on top. I spoke with the school psychologist and the principal to make sure they were aware of what was happening. Emily and I spoke about how to handle questions and funny looks. She did great! Told the kids that her body had become allergic to her hair. They asked a few questions and that was the end of it. They have all stood behind her and supported her. She does wear a wig, but she has very few brows and lashes.
I think we all need to give the kids more credit than we do. They are stronger than we think. We're the ones who have the hardest time, I think.

Permalink Reply by erica herrera (elijahs mom) on February 1, 2011 at 6:38pm

i know your right .. i do stress sooo much about this... my son does touch my brows and tells me he wants some jst like me, and let me tell u that breaks my heart .. thx for talking wit me..

Permalink Reply by Debra (twin mom) on February 6, 2011 at 11:13am

Erica, believe it or not, our children take it alot better than we can. When Alex was diagnosed with AU, I was so scared that he would be the object of jokes and such. At that age, kids do not even know the difference. My advice is to let him be who he is......... I think it would be worse for kids to realize that he is altering his image, that being the handsome man that he really is. I deeply apologize if I sounded harsh in any way. Im with you sista!!! Its hard, but its gonna be ok. He is just starting school, so kids will know him for who is is, not what he used to look like. If he were a teen or pre-teen, then maybe the approach would be different.

Permalink Reply by erica herrera (elijahs mom) on February 6, 2011 at 10:36pm

no girl ur not being harsh at all.. im glad i can tlk to sum1 that is going through the same thng i am.. i know its harder for me.. im an adult and i do c the looks and the tlking but my son dosent understand any of this right now... the school he's going to this yr is pre-k to 7th grade so kids are gonna eventually know him and get use to him.. also what's going to help alot is that he has sisters and cousins that go to the same school.. so i am glad for that .. thx for the tlk girl.. by the way ur son is such a cutie:)

Permalink Reply by Debra (twin mom) on February 7, 2011 at 8:38am

Thx gurl! Alex is in pre-k as well. We always laugh with him and tell him that girls love a sexy bald head...... now his twin says he wants to shave his head too. Its gonna be ok. Anytime you need to talk........... :) And ur baby is also a handsome little one :)

Permalink Reply by Evie and mom Gail on February 7, 2011 at 10:02pm

Hi,
our daughter also has no eyelashes or brows, although lately one eye's lashes have grown back Evie notices that all girls, in cartoons and in books have lashes. BUT, we haven't ever thought of gluing lashes or eyebrows onto her. The kids notice her bald head more than lashes or eyebrows, and I think it would be too fiddly, and maybe even too teenage-looking to put lashes or brows on. They would likely feel funny too, so we haven't even considered it. Maybe when she is older and wants to experiment she can tattoo eyebrows and try out false eyelashes. REally, the kids in school like her the way she is, and when she does wear her wig occasionally they don't like it as it doesn't look like her anymore.