The term “mom hair” is often used to refer to a very short haircut, as it is stereotypically assumed that most women chop their long locks off after having a baby in order to be lower maintenance. This implied phenomenon was even the topic of a frivolous, and somewhat offensive, article in the New York Times back in June. However, this is not what “mom hair” means to me.
To me, “mom hair” means hair that is way too long and far too neglected. I have not had a haircut since before my second child was born. He is a year old now. To be exact, he is 54 weeks old. My haircut is about 56 weeks.
To me, “mom hair” means no style, no blowout, no color or highlights. It is just a collection of air-dried, boring tresses that keep my head warm.
To me, “mom hair” means a pile of this long, boring (and often unwashed) hair tied up into a messy bun atop my head in order to avoid the tight grip of little baby fingers.
To me, “mom hair” means not being treated with keratin or moisturizing masks, but with an occasional application of dried baby cereal or spit up. Or worse.
So, even though at first glance you may not think I have “mom hair” by the universally accepted definition, I most definitely do. And I wear it proudly, as we should all wear our “mom hair” no matter what that means for you.
#redefinemomhair
This post originally appeared on (this) mom with a blog. It has been reprinted with permission.