DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently left our 2-year-old daughter with my mother-in-law while we went shopping. When we returned, we reclaimed our daughter and went home.
After we arrived, I noticed my mother-in-law had cut my daughter's bangs. I have been growing her bangs since she had hair, and I intended for her hair to be all one length without bangs. (I kept her hair pulled back deliberately while it was growing out.)
Abby, I am furious. I feel that as her mother I have a right to choose my daughter's hairstyle without outside interference. My husband agrees with me, but he is unwilling to speak to his mother. He says that I can "chew her out" at my peril. How should I handle this? -- EXASPERATED IN INDIANA
DEAR EXASPERATED: The nicest thing about hair is that it grows constantly. The damage isn't permanent. I agree that your mother-in-law should not have cut your daughter's bangs without your permission, but it's not worth a scene.
To prevent it from happening again, tell your mother-in-law that you're trying to grow your daughter's hair to one length, so please refrain from trimming it.