It was my first hair cutting job and my mum’s first in about seven decades. She hasn’t been to a hairdresser or barber since she was about 12.

I cut my mum’s hair a few weeks ago. It was a daunting and challenging responsibility on many levels. Why? My mum prides herself in her twice a day hair grooming routine. The first after her shower in the morning. The second after her afternoon nap. A legacy of my grandmother, Tulasi, who instilled in my mum the importance of a neat and tidy appearance. My mum is also old school in many ways. A traditional Indian woman, who has always kept her hair long. Grown organically without contact with any hair stylist’s implements. Not even a scissors to snip off split ends. And, for too many years, my mum has had only one hairstyle. Long and straight, oiled, combed flat, gathered and tied into a bun. It’s the only look I’ve known my mum in. 

I have suggested a shorter hair length many times before. Assured my mum that my friend, a professional hair stylist, would personally cut and style her hair. A shorter coiffure would make it easier and quicker to wash and manage. No, was her answer. That is, until now. My mum has arthritis in both her arms. This has made it increasingly difficult to comb and gather her thinning hair into her signature bun. She still persevered but it was all too painful and time consuming. Hence, the decision to accept and agree to a haircut.

I YouTubed the ‘how to’ and hair styles for older women. I searched for not too short, a little girly but found too many boy cuts that were not flattering. I also needed proper scissors. The appointment was set for Sunday evening as Monday was hair washing day. My mum was undeterred. She was ready for a haircut with or without proper scissors. After a big prayer (seriously), I cut a certain length off until it skirted her shoulder. It was jagged but looked surprisingly ok. Particularly, when tucked under an Alice band or pulled up with a claw hair clip. My mum seemed pleased. No comments or complaints. On Monday, I did a little editing – straightened the ends as best I could.

On Wednesday, my mum confessed that she didn’t know how to wear the Alice band or use the claw hair clips. The plastic Alice band kept slipping off her head. The claw clips were too fiddly. She wanted a length that had no use for accessories. It sounded radical to me. From very long to very short hair in just four days. So, I did what any self-respecting one-time hair cutter would do. I set-up a committee. Not really. I simply talked it over with my mum. She knew what she wanted. A no-fuss, no-work, no tie-up, no clip-up hair length.  One that stops at the nape of the neck. Really short-short. Style was not a consideration.

It was a clear but stressful request. Back to YouTube. I perused several videos, and settled for a bob cut. I watched the video 3 times.  30 mins each time. Took a few photos. Wrote down the processes and instructions. They included: Wet hair first.  Part in the centre. Cut hair section by section. The sides should be levelled with the back. The appointment was set for Thursday afternoon. Just as I got ready to do my mum’s hair, she had a coughing fit. Kettle on and drink first. Restarted. Almost immediately, my mum’s head started to bob. She was sleepy, and couldn’t keep her head still. Instructions went out the window. I did a dry cut without sectioning the hair. Somehow, I managed to layer the back and one side of her hair. I wanted to continue but stopped for fear she might fall off the chair. We recessed. She was hungry and sleepy. Lunch and nap followed.

It was an unusual situation. Both funny and sad. Funny because it was like a comedy skit. Sad because it drove home the point that my mum is at an age where sleep, tiredness and hunger overruled. She had half a haircut. Didn’t or couldn’t care how she looked. I laughed. I cried. Then, consoled myself that its only hair. Thursday evening, and after a well deserved rest, my mum was back in the chair so I could cut the uncut side of her hair. Job finally completed. After 4 sessions.

My mum is still happy with her new hair length and look. Easy washing. Easy combing. With a little help from a metal, yes metal, Alice band to keep the shorter hairs away from her face. Haircut worked. Thankfully.