Why My Daughter Must Wear Pink

This is why you do not hold your breath for anything in the Navy. As I wrote about in my last blog, I did receive orders to the Office Of Naval Intelligence, but as of Friday, I was offered the opportunity to go to the Naval War College in Newport, RI to earn a Masters in Strategic Policy. The catch is that I will have to report to Newport by the second of November, leaving Shelly and I approximately two weeks to pack up our lives, move across country, and find a place to live. Needless to say, the last couple of days have been stressful, but I am sure it will work out, and I know we will feel a lot better once we have secured a place to live. On that note, does anyone have a summer home in Newport they would like to rent to us? ...More to follow on this.

On a more upsetting note than whirlwind life changes, Madison got a haircut. You might wonder why this is so horrible, but when I tell you it was I who took her to get a haircut and she received it from the same barber who does my high-and-tight, you may develop some horrific gasp of what I am going to write next. Yes, it was butchered. Madison's long, cute, surfer baby hair is gone, replaced by a very short bob, which apparently reminds everyone of a daughter of the von Trapp family. You might ask yourself why I did not stop it, but honestly after the barber makes the first cut what can you do?
There is nothing more demoralizing than bringing your daughter home to her mom with a horrific haircut. During the two hours of sobbing, I just stood there wishing my flight earlier that afternoon would have emergency landed in the ocean for I was pretty sure being stranded in the ocean, fending off sharks, would have been more comforting than the looks Shelly was giving me for what "I had done" to Madison.

So here is my advise to all other parents: Moms, no matter how badly your daughter needs a haircut or you want your husband and your daughter to get out of the house for a couple of hours, do not put the responsibility of her haircut upon him. Unless he is Paul Mitchell, he has no idea what he is doing. Dads, never volunteer or agree to taking your daughter to get her haircut. Offer to take her to the park, Disney Land, or wherever else but not to the barber shop.

As for Madison, though she seems unfazed by this obviously traumatic event, I am sure I have caused some deep, unconscious scarring that will later be dredged up in her teenage years. Until then, we have had to throw away any remotely gender neutral clothing and are dressing her only in pink.