My son Odyn is the coolest kid I know. Yep, I said it my son is the coolest kid I know. Why? The reason why is that he has endured puzzled looks, snide comments, bullying from adults (yes, ADULTS) and kids alike. Well you know what I say to everyone that has made rude comments about my child, screw you. Yes, I will be crass about this. I even had family making rude comments. You have no idea the impact you are having on this little man, how you keep knocking him down thinking he can’t hear what you are saying, he can’t see you whispering to your friend behind us in line. Kids are notorious for noticing EVERYTHING. Plus, their hearing is unbelievably good, despite what their parents may think.
Why am I sounding like a lunatic and I feel the world is against my son? Look at this picture it will tell you why. 
Yes, that smiling child is my SON Odyn. He rocks. He is by far the most caring and compassionate child I have ever met. His hair is long but that doesn’t make him any less of a boy. We started this journey when he was only 5 years old, and needing a hair cut. He is only 6 right now, in two weeks he will be 7 years old. In this journey Odyn had other plans I wasn’t aware of. I gave him two choices, either he needed a hair cut, or a trim to shape up his hair. Then, I thought, I will give him a third option. “If you don’t want to do either of those your third option is that you can grow it out for other kids with cancer for Locks of Love and it will be made into a wig for those children who have lost their hair due to the medicine that helps them get better.” He chose the third option, shocking us all. I can’t go back on my word because I thought he wouldn’t choose to have long hair, I embraced his tenacity and most of all what he said when he made his decision. Odyn told me, “I want to help the world, and the kids that have cancer.” Melt.My.Heart. I then thought to myself, I MUST be doing this whole parenting thing right if this is what my child at 5 years old chooses to do.
Fast forward a few months. The snickering starts. I told Odyn’s teacher what was going on, and told him about the boys picking on him and Mr. D took a proactive approach, and told Odyn’s classmates what he was doing and they all understood. I was really laid back about it to begin with, then the mother bear came out. At first I thought ‘he is a big boy, he can tell his friends what is going on’, and he did. The first 6 months there were very few problems. Summer began, the problems began too. Summer school was especially hard. Odyn would go to a new class every two weeks, the first week I didn’t realize there would be any problems. A week into the first session he told me he was getting picked on in the bathroom. It took him a WEEK to tell me there was any issues. I immediately went to the teacher and told her what was going on. She was sympathetic and helped him out and it lessened. Then the next week Momma Bear went to each teacher after that and told them ahead of time what has been happening and to PLEASE defend my little man. Uggg, by the time summer school was done, I was exhausted by the situation. It was STILL happening. I just wanted to pull these little boys who were picking on my kid in the bathroom and tell them what jerks they were being, but I refrained.
We used sweat bands during soccer so he wouldn’t have to wear a ponytail (again, due to ADULTS and kids). Still at least once a day he was called a girl. Not a single item in his wardrobe had a light color, pastels, or glitter. We would pull his hair half back for Tae Kwon Do, and that he HATED doing that. Let the girl comments begin from the adults. ‘She’ this, ‘She’ that. I can’t tell you how many times I had to almost shout the word HE to people a day when I was out and about with Odyn.
The trip to get his hair cut today was planned and we were on our way. At first, all is going exceedingly well. It happens to be shop small Saturday, so we ended up at Hair Benders in Okauchee. JC was our stylist. She agrees that the best way to cut his hair and get the most length is to do many small ponytails.
Then reality sinks in. Odyn is speechless. He is cowering behind the cape. His eyes are close to overflowing with tears. He collects himself in the shelter of the cape. I cry real tears, and explain to him, that he is amazing.
The final result after a year of growing out his hair. It is astounding what a difference a hair cut can make.
I am not writing this to make you feel bad for my son. I said it once and I will say it again. He rocks. He dealt with all this BS for a whole year to help another child who has cancer. Was it worth it? Yes, absolutely. Those children he is helping with the creation of a wig are enduring far more than he did. There were definitely some angels in his corner, and friends who stuck up for him when he didn’t or couldn’t. To you, thank you. So parents, please teach your children to not judge a book by its cover. The story that is inside is much different than what it appears. My son was not going through an identity crisis, he was just doing his part to “Help make the world a better place.” The strength of Odyn to endure this amazes me and I am SO proud to call him my son. I cried when he cut his hair today, not because I was sad, because I was so proud of him. I realize that with him and the rest of my kids that I must be doing something right. I cry as I write this now. My son ROCKS!
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You are AMAZING!!!
Odyn is amazing, I often wonder what the adult “Odyn” will be like. If he is anything like he has been as a child, all I have to say is Watch out World!
I read this story a little while ago and my heart melted by the courageous spirit of Odyn. It wasn’t until today that I realized he was my son’s classmate. Odyn inspired my son, he sincerely looks up to him. As parents, we are constantly trying to challenge our kids to look for, and find ways, to do good for others. One simple act from a friend has put an entire new twist on what it is to sacrifice, love, and give. Thank you Odyn!
How awesome!! Odyn does rock!
Odyn you are truly a wonderful child! You make my heart happy!!! They cut mine in 3 ponytails in June when I donated mine! It’s the best! Just wait they’ll send a letter when they use your hair and it’s just a final kiss from above that you are an angel to another child in need! So proud of you!!!
I am impressed with everyone who donates their hair, it is something that you don’t realize how attached you are to it, that is, until it is gone!
This man is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!! (The funny thing is…he would totally have blended in with long hair on the coast 🙂 It breaks my heart that so many people made comments…but his heart is clearly so much bigger than all of that! Bless you guys!
He is the sweetest soul you will ever meet!
I finished reading this with tears in my eyes and goosebumps covering my entire body. Odyn is a Modern Day SuperHero! Such an amazing gesture from such a young guy – I bet he inspired at least as many as who criticized him. Many blessings to you and yours!
We are pretty big fans of superhero’s in our house, it is kind of cool that now we have Super Odyn to go along with our house ‘Batman’ Soren 🙂
Odyn, you are an amazing young man.
Such an amazing little boy because of an amazing mom! I Am So Proud To Say that I know both of you! We need more people in this World like You two! God bless you both!!! Xoxo
Melissa- You are too sweet! Glad you are moving closer, we need a coffee date when the dust settles!
The world needs A LOT more Odyn’s in this world! What an inspiration for ALL of us! God Bless Odyn, and God Bless you mom for not throwing out punches to all who bullied him.
I like your new haircut!!
Odyn is wonderful. We lost our son to Leukemia when he was 2 1/2. He only had hair for 3 months in his whole life. Although, for a baby boy, not having hair was mostly no big deal, but I often felt heartbroken for those little girls we would see at the hospital.
Your son is growing up to be an amazing person. He has a strong backbone, and the ability to stand up for what he believes in. You are absolutely right to be proud of him. I am. Way to go, Odyn!
crying…
What a mix of people and lessons! Hurrah for Odyn for sticking to his choice, NOT responding in like fashion to the criticism, following through by having his hair cut as promised & learning about the almost surprising love of his parent! Hurrah for his mom for following through with the choice she offered Odyn (& he chose), “blocking” for him as possible, loving him as he is, and desiring to be a wise parent. Hurrah for the hurting recipient of the hair who will be SO encouraged by this gift, esp if the story is known. Thank you from people like me who might be inclined to judge but, when shown our hard little hearts, are willing to change. Thank you and hurrah for help for parents who are seeking: If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 – we can’t wear that one out!! (wish I’d known it earlier!) Betsy, friend of Gr’Ma P
I will be writing down all these kind words and keeping them safe for him to read when he gets older, or life gets him down. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read about my son.
Your son is a fine young man!!! You must be so proud of him!! I cried after ready his story. I posted your story on my wall at Facebook to share with all.
I totally feel you. Except my 8 year-old really is stretching out his personality, and while his hair grows slow, it’s long enough that we’ve started to get comments. Mostly from family…but I believe that he ought to make his choice and live with it. Adults are the ones pushing gender-based identity, not kids, and it wasn’t that long ago that little boys wore “dresses” as toddlers – only back in the 20’s – and Victorian times saw boys’ hair as long as this. People need to grow and stop judging everyone they see.
Congratulations Odyn…my 10 year old son has been growing his hair for just over a year for the same reason and endured the same teasing & taunting by family & “friends”; young & old alike. Good for you for sticking with it and seeing it through…my son can’t wait cut his so he can start all over again! The world needs more boys with hearts of gold!
What a great story! What an amazing little boy you have! I believe the most important thing I can teach my little ones is exactly what you requested: “teach your children to not judge a book by its cover”. I want my kids to be the “friends who stuck up for him when he didn’t or couldn’t”. And, my guess is that Odyn learned how to do that through all this too! 🙂
Your son rocks and he has an awesome smile. Keep up the terrific job.
Odyn and my son were in 1st grade together. I went in and helped a few times, he is such a sweet boy, and I agree truly amazing! You did a great job raising him! 🙂
Amber-
That is so kind! I have plenty more years of raising him to go, I just hope the following years have been as great as the last eight have been with him!
Thank you for posting this. My son is 5 and we just had the exact scenario play out in our house. He has chose to donate as well! What amazing people kids are! Great job to you and Odyn for powering through!