Police Called Over Pink Hair At Playtime, Babysitter Left Shaken As Parents Confront Family Fallout

A good babysitter doesn’t just keep kids safe, they also know how to make sure they’re having fun.

So when this Redditor offered to dye the hair of the 3- and 5-year-old girls they were watching pink (with their parents’ full permission, using temporary, washable dye), it seemed like a harmless way to play dress-up.

But the kids’ grandma didn’t see it that way. The moment she saw their new look, she completely lost it, accusing the babysitter of crossing a line and calling both the police and CPS.

Scroll down to see how everything unfolded—and how the babysitter decided to respond.

The babysitter decided to give the girls they were looking after a makeover and dyed their hair pink

Babysitter and girl with hair curlers playing dress-up while surrounded by makeup and toys in cozy room.

Image credits: LightFieldStudios (not the actual photo)

However, when their grandma saw it, she was furious and reported the babysitter to the police and CPS

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink, causing grandma to lose it and worry about the children’s safety and well-being.

Babysitter dyes girls hair pink with parents’ permission while showing beauty case including perfume and costumes.

Text about babysitter using temporary hair dye on girls’ hair pink causing grandma to worry if babies were hurt.

Babysitter dyeing young girl’s hair bright pink while grandma reacts with shock and concern in a home setting.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink, grandma reacting with concern while talking to the children late at night.

Grandma reacts strongly to babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink, showing concern and surprise over the bold change.

Young girl with pink-dyed hair smiling while sitting on a beige couch after babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink.

Image credits: Okrasyuk (not the actual photo)

Grandma reacts hysterically as babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink during a playful moment with the kids.

Grandma reacts with shock as babysitter dyes girl's hair pink, asking if the babies were hurt during the process.

Alt text: Angry grandma yelling at babysitter after girls’ hair is dyed pink causing a dramatic family confrontation.

Text message accusing a babysitter of child abuse after she dyes girls’ hair pink, woman reacts emotionally.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink causing grandma to freak out and worry if the babies were hurt during the incident.

Text conversation expressing anger towards a babysitter who dyed girls’ hair pink and traumatized the children.

Elderly woman upset and talking to a babysitter after babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink in a living room.

Image credits: ckstockphoto (not the actual photo)

Text showing a grandma upset over babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink asking if it hurt the babies.

Text excerpt showing a grandmother upset over babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink, questioning if the children were hurt.

Text about babysitter and grandma's reaction after girls’ hair was dyed pink, with police and CPS involvement.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink, causing grandma to react strongly about the girls’ well-being and hair color.

Text message discussing a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and potential legal actions involving a police officer’s contact.

Image credits: DouniaLag

Is it safe to dye children’s hair?

The grandmother’s reaction in this story feels entirely disproportionate to what actually happened, especially considering the babysitter had full permission from the parents to dye the girls’ hair pink.

But with more people becoming open to letting their kids experiment with hair color, it raises the question: is any kind of hair dye really safe for children?

Let’s break it down.

Starting with the obvious: permanent hair dye can be quite damaging and is generally not recommended for kids. And it’s not just about whether dyeing is age-appropriate or if it might conflict with school rules.

“I really don’t think it’s safe to dye or bleach a child’s hair until after puberty, and ideally not until their late teens—at least 16,” Dr. Sejal Shah, M.D., a New York-based dermatological surgeon, told Good Housekeeping.

The reason is that children’s hair is typically finer and more delicate than adult hair. This makes it much more vulnerable to the damaging effects of dye and bleach.

Because kids’ hair goes through so many changes from birth to puberty, Dr. Shah also points out that both their hair and skin are more sensitive, and is therefore more prone to negative reactions.

These reactions often stem from the harsh ingredients in traditional hair products.

“The chemicals are harsh and can damage hair,” explained Dr. Margarita Lolis, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, in a conversation with Good Housekeeping. “Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and a chemical known as paraphenylenediamine that’s commonly used in permanent hair dye can cause very bad reactions.”

Beyond irritation, these chemicals can even alter the texture of the child’s hair, meaning that what started as a fun color change might end up permanently affecting the way their hair looks and feels.

So what is safe? Temporary, washable dyes are considered the best option. And that has a lot to do with how they work.

“These temporary colors just coat the hair shaft and do not penetrate it as a dye would,” Dr. Shah explained, adding that there are also natural alternatives like herbs and tea that can tint the hair more gently.

If parents still want to go the permanent route, experts recommend techniques that minimize damage as much as possible.

“The same rules apply for kids’ hair as for adults. Don’t apply dye to the root of the hair to ensure it does not touch the scalp. Sit in a well-ventilated room. Don’t overly process the hair, because it can lead to breakage. And apply an ointment to the skin around the hairline to make sure the dye does not touch the skin in those areas,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a New York-based dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Today.

Also, never skip the patch test, especially for kids. While adding color can be a fun way to express creativity, any kind of allergic reaction can quickly ruin the experience.

Image credits: Alexander_Piragis (not the actual photo)

After the incident, readers encouraged the babysitter to report the grandmother to the police in return

Screenshot of a Reddit discussion about a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and the grandmother’s strong reaction.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink causing grandma to react strongly and worry about the children’s wellbeing.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink while grandma reacts emotionally, concerned about the girls’ well-being and safety.

Screenshot of a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink while grandma reacts with concern about their safety.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink with a grandma’s shocked reaction.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment thread about a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and a grandma’s shocked reaction.

Screenshot of a comment discussing babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandmother’s upset reaction online.

Screenshot of a comment discussing a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and a grandma’s shocked reaction.

Text of a comment discussing a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and a grandmother’s extreme reaction.

Babysitter dyes girls hair pink while grandma reacts with concern asking if the babies were hurt in the process.

Babysitter dyeing young girl’s hair pink while grandma reacts with concern in a home setting.

Comment discussing babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink without permission, causing upset and concern from family members.

Text comment discussing grandma’s reaction and consequences after babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink.

Comment about babysitter dyes girls hair pink, with grandma reacting emotionally and concern for the children’s safety.

Comment about talking to parents before pressing charges shared by user wickedwitch9294 on a discussion thread.

Comment saying if were you I would definitely charge her, discussing babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink reaction.

Comment on Reddit with text definitely press charges, replying to babysitter dyes girls' hair pink and grandma loses it completely

Comment discussing calling parents about babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandma’s strong reaction to it.

Text message on a gray background saying if charges are not pressed, babysitter may think it’s okay to dye girls’ hair pink again.

Comment discussing babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandmother’s angry reaction about possible harm to children.

Text from an online comment discussing pressing charges to hold people accountable in a controversial babysitting incident involving hair dye.

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Screenshot of a user comment discussing forgiveness and making peace after a babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink incident.

Comment discussing concerns about babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and child safety from parents and CPS perspective.

Two police officers in reflective vests standing by a wooden door during an investigation related to babysitter dyes girls hair pink.

Image credits: bialasiewicz (Not the actual photo)

Ultimately, she decided to go with an official warning instead

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink causing grandma to react strongly with worry about the babies’ well-being.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink while grandma reacts with concern asking if babies were hurt.

Text excerpt about a babysitter explaining choices, related to babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink incident.

Text showing three options to handle a situation involving babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink: charge her, ignore it, or give warning.

Text excerpt describing babysitter’s choice causing anxiety, related to babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandma’s reaction.

Text image showing a message explaining a decision, related to babysitter and girls’ hair pink incident.

Elderly woman covering face in shock, reacting to babysitter dyeing girls hair pink in a home setting.

Image credits: lucigerma (Not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and the grandma reacting with concern.

Text screenshot discussing potential court case outcomes involving psychological damage compensation.

Text excerpt discussing money issues with babysitter and parents, relating to babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink situation.

Text on screen discussing a formal warning about a complaint involving the babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink.

Babysitter dyes girls hair pink, grandma reacts emotionally concerned if babies got hurt by the babysitter’s actions.

Text discussing potential legal consequences when someone else faces similar charges, mentioning aggravation and prison sentence.

Text excerpt about a babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink leading to grandma’s upset reaction and concern for the children.

Text on a white background stating parents fully supported the babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and are waiting to see karma’s outcome.

Babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink causing grandma to react with concern and ask if the babies were hurt.

Grandma reacts as babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink, worried if the babies were hurt by the hair dye incident.

Girls with pink and blue highlights in their hair after babysitter dyes it, while grandma reacts with concern.

Babysitter dyeing young girl’s hair pink with grandma reacting emotionally in a home setting.

Image credits: DouniaLag

Readers agreed it was the wisest way to handle the situation

Babysitter dyes girls' hair pink while grandma reacts with concern about the babies' well-being and safety.

Screenshot of an online discussion about babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink and grandma’s shocked reaction.

Screenshot of a comment thread discussing babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandma’s shocked reaction.

Screenshot of an online conversation about a babysitter dyeing a girl’s hair pink and the grandma’s reaction.

Screenshot of an online conversation discussing a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and grandma’s strong reaction.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a babysitter dyeing girls’ hair pink and a grandma’s reaction.

Comment conversation screenshot showing a user praising a babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink story and a reply about mental stability loss.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a babysitter dying girls’ hair pink and grandma’s shocked reaction.

Screenshot of a reddit conversation discussing babysitter dyes girls’ hair pink and suggesting henna as a temporary alternative.

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