I wonder how many mothers of special needs kids have the same problem I’ve had since Taylor was a baby. She hates having her hair washed. It was worse when she was a toddler. She screamed so loud while I was washing her hair, the neighbors called the police for a “well-being check”. I mean seriously? She hated it that bad? Oh she loved and still loves taking a bath, but get out the shampoo and she’s no longer a happy camper.
Fast forward a number of years and I’m a single mom working in the children’s shoe department at Nordstrom. I work long hours. By this time, my oldest daughter Courtney lives down the road and is expecting my first grandchild. She watches Taylor for me. Does Taylor cry when Court washes her hair? Hell no! I would do the exact same thing Court would do, and Taylor would still throw a fit.
Fast forward to now. Taylor is 20 years old and still cries when I wash her hair. Now granted, she did have brain surgery and does have a scar across her head from ear to ear, but I don’t think it bothers her much. When she goes to my other daughter Brandy’s house, she even let Brandy blow dry it and use a flat iron on it. Do you think she would let me even plug in a flat iron in her presence? I don’t think so.
The school would send home notes some days that Taylor’s hair was so cute. I would have to send a note back saying if Taylor’s hair is cute, I didn’t do it, her sister did.
This has to be a “mom” thing. You know, kind of like when your kids are so good at other people’s house and you wonder why they are monsters at home. She must sense the fact that I’m mom and she’s supposed to cry if I wash her hair. She grew up tactilely defensive but after several years of therapy when she was young, that seemed to go away…except with her head.
Yeah, I know…kind of a silly post but I’m just wondering if anyone else has a similar situation. On a good note, we got a really great swing for our deck on sale at Wal-Mart and boy does Taylor love it. She’s been going out there everyday with her music and her magazines and just chilling. I think that was the best spent money ever.
