I’m a mum-of-five and trolled for my sons’ long hair – they even say I must be desperate for a daughter, it’s ridiculous
A MUM of five boys has been accused of gender disappointment and “wanting a daughter” after letting two of her sons grow their hair long.
Rachael Cresswell is no stranger to criticism of her parenting, having previously been bullied for deriving all five of her baby names from TV shows.
The 42-year-old is proud of her sons’ bright blonde locks and doesn’t make them cut their hair if they don’t want to.
Due to their distinct look, Rachael has found her family is always being watched when they go out – but strangers will often comment on how “well-behaved” her children are.
But two of her sons, Jaxon, nine, and Bodhi, three, have been subject to criticism for their luscious locks.
Rachael added that the worst bit is the criticism only comes from adults, not other children.
She said: “Older generations seem to have an issue with the length of their hair, simply because they’re boys.”
The two boys don’t want to cut their hair, with Jaxon managing to grow it past his hips and happy to correct people who mistake him as a girl.
As Rachael shares their beachside adventures near their home in Torbay, Devon on Instagram, she has found adults online are concerned about the two long-haired boys.
The Mirror reports she said: “I’m told to cut their hair and strangers say they look like girls and that I’m suffering from gender disappointment, which I have never had.
“I find it crazy that people are so bothered by the length of a child’s hair.
“The judgement from grown adults about a child they don’t know is ridiculous.”
The stay-at-home mum’s other three sons are Noah, seven, Cole, six, and Leif aged one.
She revealed that she knew Jaxon would be born with a full head of hair after getting a bad dose of heartburn during her pregnancy.
Rachael recalled: “I was overdue with Jaxon. He was born with so much fluffy blonde hair and it grew really quickly.
“He looked so much older than bald babies, but it just really suited him.
“By age two, it was to his shoulders, and when he was younger, he sometimes was mistaken for a girl.
“But now he can correct people himself and he’s not bothered at all.”
She admitted that she would be sad if Jaxon cut his hair simply because she has “always known him with long hair”.
However, the mum “actively promotes body autonomy” with her husband of ten years, 39-year-old Daniel.
Rachael has been shocked every time she gives birth to a fair child as she expects them to take on their dad’s dominant dark genes.
She said: “My husband Dan is so dark-haired. We always assumed our children would look the same. After all, it is the dominant gene.
“Jaxon’s hair has a slight wave and is the same shade of blonde as mine, yet Bodhi’s hair is poker straight and is a lot lighter.”
Both Noah and Cole choose to sport a shorter hairstyle, while baby Leif is yet to decide on his ‘do.