The growing out stage is the hardest. If that is you goal, don't give in!! Kristen have you great thread to read.
If Kaji's hair was nice, if grow it out again too.
I think it's harder when cut short. I'm constantly cleaning and cuting the hair near his eyes. When he had a topknot, it was just adjusting his "ninja knot" when I got home from work and in the morning.