Comment by Lilith on June 21, 2008 at 9:18am

I work at a daycare this summer but I keep my head covered. Granted, I still have most of my hair. All I can say to you would be try and keep it covered. That's what I do and it's only almost let me down once but that was because my hat fell off trying to give a kid a piggy back ride. Ha ha:)

Comment by kastababy on June 22, 2008 at 11:40pm

I would disagree with Lilith. If you treat it like it is something to hide (which is the vibe the children are picking up on, hence the repeated questions), then like vultures over a dead carcass they will continue to ask and ask and ask. If you go ahead and show them, then the novelty of it will soon wear off and the kids will find something else to be curious about. You can also use the opportunity to teach your students about accepting the differences of others.

I know this approach works because I am surrounded by children in my own family -- I'm the oldest of 13 and my youngest sibling is 8 years old; add my 4-year-old niece and my year-old niece and nephew and that makes the head of a rambunctious bunch of 16!!!

Comment by Kristen Ridenhour on June 23, 2008 at 12:49am

Thanks for the comments. I might just show them. What do I have to lose right? They already know I don't have hair and I'd rather me show them my head than one of them get out of hand and pull off my bandana. It's just I've never really been asked this before. Most adults don't ask to see my head... It's rare if they even ask why i don't have hair to begin with. Kids say what they think more often, and that's not always a bad thing.

Comment by Carol on June 23, 2008 at 8:01am

Although I agree with YoKasta, you need to do what makes you comfortable. If you just can't bring yourself to that comfort level where you can just rip off your hair or bandana though, you need to tell the kids that you're not ready for that yet. It's ok to tell them that even you - an adult - has fears and get embarassed. Everyone struggles with something, alopecia is just on the outside so everyone notices. Ask for a show of hands of who has allergies to something to get you started. It is important that you teach them to accept people for who they are. You have a beautiful head though so don't be afraid to be yourself either! Let us know what you end up doing and how it turned out for you. Good luck! :)

Comment by Mandy on June 23, 2008 at 10:37am

I agree with Carol. Do what makes you comfortable. If you don't feel comfortable showing your head and prefer to stay in your bandana, then definitely do that. Don't be afraid to talk to kids just like you would an adult. They are old enough to understand. If you don't feel comfortable, just tell them that.

Comment by Fitzy on June 24, 2008 at 7:19pm

htink kids are curious and not seeing it will make it even more interesting. Once you have shown them your head they will quickly move on to something else to intrigue them. This is what i have found with kids I have dealt with.

Comment by Rose Wickler on April 28, 2009 at 10:06pm

During my sophomore year in high school a 'friend' of mine decided to yank my wig off the first day i wore it to school. Her reason was "well, you said it was a WIG." she had asked me specifically if i was wearing a wig and at that moment i thought she was my friend and would be compassionate towards me because she knew about my hair loss. she still yanked my wig off then and then i proceeded to nearly brake her arm. which i will now admit was a bad thing and did NOT help, even though it made me feel better. i feel that if you are going to come right out about your hair loss then you should be prepared for how people will take it and wot they may do after wards. The SECOND :( time someone yanked off my wig (because apparently one time isn't enough) other people that were around spread the word about me and my hair and then people began to come up to me in the hallways and ask to see my head. Although happy they asked, i did not want to show them my bald head. I have not come to terms with it yet. So I feel you should not just know how others will take it but also how YOU feel about your hair loss.

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