After a five and a half day weekend, we returned to school today!
I got brave (and hot) and took my hat off during a class today. It was a little scary, but if there is one thing I know about middle school, it is that news spreads fast, even if it is of little importance to the students. I figured that everyone in the grade would know by now that I did not have hair. No one said anything or acted weird. Students continued to ask me for help, and I tried to keep my composure as I was instructing and answering questions.
It is not that I think my kids are especially mean or anything. They are almost all very respectful towards me. I am just finding that the self consciousness most of us learn as we are growing up never really goes away. My friends will attest to the fact that I am generally very confident in my beliefs and actions, but this has definitely tested that part of me.
I was sure that once I lost my hair and started walking around as the bald mama, I would see other women in the same position, but that is not the case. Most people are content with their wigs. I envy them right now. It seems a bit easier at this point. More conservation of dignity. . . I don't know. All I know is that there is no turning back now. I think it would just be weird if I started wearing the wig again.
My next hurdle to overcome is getting out of my head about it. :)
I got brave (and hot) and took my hat off during a class today. It was a little scary, but if there is one thing I know about middle school, it is that news spreads fast, even if it is of little importance to the students. I figured that everyone in the grade would know by now that I did not have hair. No one said anything or acted weird. Students continued to ask me for help, and I tried to keep my composure as I was instructing and answering questions.
It is not that I think my kids are especially mean or anything. They are almost all very respectful towards me. I am just finding that the self consciousness most of us learn as we are growing up never really goes away. My friends will attest to the fact that I am generally very confident in my beliefs and actions, but this has definitely tested that part of me.
I was sure that once I lost my hair and started walking around as the bald mama, I would see other women in the same position, but that is not the case. Most people are content with their wigs. I envy them right now. It seems a bit easier at this point. More conservation of dignity. . . I don't know. All I know is that there is no turning back now. I think it would just be weird if I started wearing the wig again.
My next hurdle to overcome is getting out of my head about it. :)