Assuming you meet the age requirement to have joined Fluther in the first place (and welcome to you), your parents should know that you’re of an age where they can expect you to make some mistakes from time to time, some more boneheaded than others, and some that may have life-threatening consequences. On the scale of mistakes that teenagers make, and which their parents have to learn to accept, this is on the lowest of the low end.
But your parents are going to notice, so I have some advice for you that’s different from what you expected: Own the process by which they notice. In other words, take charge of making sure that they notice (while you may also prepare to respond with a “WFT, Mom, it’s not like I asked you to find me an abortionist, now, is it?” just in case you don’t do this quite right, and you still take some flack from a parent who hasn’t quite realized that this ain’ no thang).
So here’s a possible scenario for you: You’re away somewhere for a short while. Summer camp, school for a few more months, or whatever. Call Mom. Prepare her for the shockingly bad news: “Mom, I have some awful news to tell you. You need to prepare yourself. Are you sitting down? Please sit down and take a deep breath before I tell you my news. Are you ready? … I gave myself a really awful haircut by mistake.”
”…”
“Mom, are you still there? Stop laughing, Mom. It’s a really awful cut.”
Et cetera.
Own it. It will grow into a family legend in years to come. And it’s a technique that you can use over and over, too.