In a home where pranks were playful, one act by the Original Poster (OP)’s older daughter, Dolly, drastically crossed the line, leaving her younger sister, Essie Mae, with a large bald patch. To balance the scales of justice, OP offers Dolly a heart-wrenching choice between cherished privileges and personal sacrifice. The tension peaks when Dolly is confronted with the consequences of her decision.
A Family of Four
OP and her husband have two daughters, six-year-old Essie Mae and ten-year-old Dolly. While in most respects, they are a seemingly normal family life, Dolly has developed a fondness for playing pranks.
Innocent Pranks
Initially, Dolly’s pranks are innocent and lighthearted, causing no harm. She enjoys switching her and Essie Mae’s identical boots, amusingly making her younger sister think her shoes have grown.
Fun vs. Cruelty
OP has ensured Dolly knows the line between fun and harm. She instructs her that as long as the pranks are harmless and don’t cause any damage, then they are okay. She also reminds her to follow the golden rule.
Crossing the Line
One night, Dolly’s pranking goes over the line. She sneaks into Essie Mae’s room and cuts a significant chunk of her mid-back-length hair down to the scalp. The gravity of this act is immediately clear.
A Mother’s Desperation
Discovering the damage, OP, a hairdresser, tries desperately to find a way to camouflage the glaring bald spot on Essie Mae’s head. No amount of styling or products could hide the magnitude of the loss.
Essie Mae’s Heartbreak
Devastated, Essie Mae becomes inconsolable. She cries for days, the weight of her loss keeping her from even wanting to leave the house. The trauma deeply affects her self-image. OP and her husband discuss the deliberate act of cruelty.
An Eye for an Eye
Seeking justice for Essie Mae, OP and her husband decide on a fitting punishment for Dolly. They give Dolly a choice: lose the privileges of her most cherished possessions or face a consequence similar to what Essie Mae experienced.
A Difficult Decision
Dolly, faced with the daunting choices, reluctantly decides to get her long, waist-length hair cut off to her chin, believing it to be the lesser evil. OP informs Dolly that she must be the one to cut her own hair.
Breaking Point
The gravity of what she did to Essie Mae starts to sink in as she faces her reflection. Overwhelmed by the reality of her choice, Dolly breaks down, screaming and crying. The emotional turmoil is evident as she contemplates the irreversible act she’s about to commit.
The Other Option
Seeing her distress, OP reminds Dolly of the alternative punishment. Even with a way out, the weight of her actions and the looming consequence bear heavily on Dolly. Tears streaming down her face, Dolly proceeds to cut her hair.
The Drastic Cut
Dolly ends up with a choppy, uneven chin-length bob, a stark difference from her once-long locks. OP steps in to even out the uneven edges of Dolly’s hair. Despite the punishment, a mother’s care is evident in her actions.
Dolly’s Desolation
After the haircut, Dolly’s devastation mirrors that of Essie Mae’s. She sobs for hours, struggling with the realization of what she’s done and the repercussions she’s faced. A friend of OP learns of the events and believes that perhaps the punishment meted out to Dolly was too severe.
Reflection and Reparation
The aftermath of the incident lingers in the household. Relationships need mending, and trust needs rebuilding. The story underscores the profound effects of actions on relationships and the balance between justice and compassion.
The Unspoken Future
The story leaves readers pondering the future dynamics of the family, the healing process for both daughters and the challenges they might face in rebuilding their bond. Hair grows back, but will the sisters’ relationship recover?
Was The Mother’s Behavior Appropriate?
OP posts her story online for feedback and judgment from the internet community. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.
Forum Responds
One reader said, “A ten-year-old cuts off that much hair on a sleeping sister? That’s not a prank. It’s something that feels far more sinister or troubling. As in, take this child to therapy.”
Another Commenter Thinks
Another responder wrote, “This is a very harsh punishment for a very harsh crime, so it fits, but I wouldn’t make a habit of this level of punishment.”
A Third View on The Story
A different person stated, “Don’t second guess your parenting decisions because of a friend’s opinion or anyone else’s. You’re the parent. And you can’t have Dolly Scissorhands running around. I also hope you donated all that hair to kids who need it!”
A Final Perspective on the Matter
Another reader commented, “You handled this SO WELL! You gave her innovative and appropriate choices. She must learn about consequences now, especially if you feel she had no remorse.”
