02 March 2023 , 14:36
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A mum who often faces criticism for wearing 'revealing' outfits on the school run has now been praised for dying her son's hair rainbow colours.
Charlie Hayes, 22, from Folkestone, Kent, loves to make a statement in head-turning looks - including short skirts and fishnets, but often receives online abuse over her style choices.
The mum-of-one has previously been accused of 'child abuse' for letting her five-year-old son, Jasper, grow his hair long.
But after dying his long locks rainbow last month, Charlie was left overwhelmed by the number of parents who have dubbed her 'the coolest mum'.
Jasper's new do (Jam Press Vid/@churchofstrawberry)
She hopes Jasper is learning the importance of self-expression (Jam Press Vid/@churchofstrawberry)"Experimenting with your style from a young age encourages independent thought in my opinion," Charlie said.
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"Self-expression and decision making is core of our identity. He may look back when he's older and feel embarrassed or silly, but it's an integral part of his journey as a human being."
The young mum admits that it's possible her alternative style is rubbing off on her son but insists he has a mind of his own when it comes to style.
"My own style has an influence on his choice 100 per cent," she stated.
"My style is an eclectic amalgamation of every piece of art and entertainment I enjoy.
"I take influence from cartoons, music, books and films.
"I just like to become a visual collection of all of my thoughts.
"I think it's inevitable, but also, he has his own strong personality and preference.
"For example, 80 per cent of my wardrobe is pink, but he hates pink."
Charlie says her style is 'eccentric' (Jam Press/@churchofstrawberry)Although Charlie's style attracts compliments, she admits it has been subject to hate comments from strangers.
She added: "Recently, I had one local woman target me from the seat of her boyfriend's car screaming out calling me 'disgusting' and a 'street walker', but I haven't let it get to me.
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"I don't face much backlash in my day-to-day life.
"School-run parents hype me up and show overwhelming support.
"Most of the negative comments are received online, but I think in general, my love for the way I look has become contagious and really grown on people, even if it's never something they'd necessarily wear themselves."
Charlie says that she checked with the school's uniform policy to make sure her son was allowed to rock his new do in the classroom - and claims they were OK with it.
The rainbow hair dye (Jam Press Vid/@churchofstrawberry)
The mum claims his school was OK with the new look (Jam Press Vid/@churchofstrawberry)"They didn't really tell me their personal opinion. They just said it's not against the uniform policy," she explained.
"I was worried they'd say no because I already told Jasper yes.
"I even had another mum ask me to do her boys hair rainbow, too.
"Jasper said 'I am so slay' so I think he likes it."
Charlie likes to give her son the freedom to do what he wants with his hair and says he doesn't want to cut it.
However, her parenting choices have attracted criticism from other parents who have left nasty comments on her video about her child's appearance.
Charlie says she has been an inspiration for other mums (Jam Press/@churchofstrawberry)She said: "I find it quite amusing that somebody else's child's hair makes people so angry.
"It's a little funny. He doesn't seem too bothered about people trying to tell him long hair is for girls either, he just tells them it's not."
Charlie took to TikTok to share her son's vibrant transformation, with the clip racking up 26,100 likes.
One user said: "This. Letting children be children! Be authentically themselves."
Another replied: "I'm trying to teach my son that colours are not gender specific and painting his nails is ok if he wants it!"
"You really are the coolest mum - I wish you was my mum growing up," said another user. [sic]