Do you want to trick your kid into getting a haircut? This article will give you tried-and-true parenting hacks that work like a charm.
Some kids hate haircuts. While they’re willing to go through it with the adults they trust, they can’t be bothered by people outside their family. This means asking someone else to cut your child’s hair is as effective as getting a root canal without anaesthesia. Now, read along to know more about how to trick your kid into getting a haircut.
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Why Are Some Toddlers Scared of Haircuts
Some toddlers are scared of haircuts because they don’t understand what will happen to their hair.
Haircuts can be scary for kids because they don’t know exactly what happens during a haircut. They may not understand that the stylist will cut off some of their hair and then put it back in place when she’s done.
If you’re worried about your child being scared during his next haircut, talk with him before the appointment about what will happen. You can also get him a book about haircuts and show it to him before you go. If this still won’t work, here are hacks on how to trick your kid into getting a haircut.
How to Trick Your Kid Into Getting a Haircut
We’ve all had some experience of seeing a red-faced kid screaming at the top of their lungs with big fat tears rolling down their cheeks. And no, this is not unfolding at the aisle in a supermarket but at the barber’s (or hair salon).
Even a passerby can empathise with the trauma that the toddler has to experience—just imagine the terror of going under gleaming scissors magnified ten-fold.
Worry no more; ear-drum splitting howls for a sharper look can be a thing of the past because we have some tips for you on trick your kid into getting a haircut.
1) Trim instead of cut
Toddlers probably have associated the word “cut” with something that goes on in the kitchen. So, using that same word to introduce them to a place unknown to them, for now, may scare them senseless. I mean, gleaming utensils slowly inching their way to facial parts they just learned the name of? That would be their bête noir.
So, using the word “trim” is a safer bet as it would not have been associated with anything yet and it’s a new word for their vocabulary. And if it’s associated with fun things, the little one will probably enjoy it so much that they’d likely prompt you when a trip’s due.
2) Choose a good kid-friendly stylist.
Find a barber or hairdresser with lots of toys or other entertaining items. Also, be sure that you keep visiting the same hairdresser. It’s quite important that your child builds a rapport with the person cutting their hair. Over time, they get comfortable and unstressed by the occasion.
Refer to them by their given name when introducing the appointment. In time, you’ll be surprised when by saying, “We’re going to see Miss Chua, and she’s going to trim your hair this afternoon,” your child will hardly bat an eyelid.
3) Associate fun stuff with the excursion
Instead of making it an activity you slot in the middle of others, spend a little more time on this activity. This would reduce your stress, and your child can pick up on it.
A leisurely jaunt would help take their mind off strands of hair snipped off and allow you to connect with your child. Some ways to keep their mind off the snips at the salon is to give them treats (lollipops and smarties), play a movie or upbeat songs and encourage them by sticking stickers for every snip so that they don’t squirm as much.
4) Bring a friend
Even as adults, we like doing things with our closest friends. How many times have you stepped through the doors of a nail salon and gotten a manicure or pedicure with a friend? Kids are no different. So, if you get their best friend along for the ride, you may just find a happier child at the end of the appointment.
Like like adults, children feel more comfortable when they’re with their friends.
If you know the stylist or barber well, ask if the two kids can share a seat (and a stylist), and the professional can alternate between the two. An upbeat stylist, one used to shaving off inches from a child’s noggin, will have them giggling through the whole affair.
Or, if your child looks up to your spouse or you, make it a family affair by going for a cut too. You’d be surprised at how much your kid wants to be like you.
How to Choose a Toddler Haircut
If you’re looking for a haircut that will keep your toddler looking stylish but also feel comfortable and safe, then you’re in the right place. Aside from learning how to trick your kid into getting a haircut, we’ve got tips on choosing a haircut that will suit you and your little one!
Choose a style that suits your toddler’s face shape. If they have an oval face, a short bob would be best. If they have round or square faces, they’ll look great in any haircut, as long as it’s not too long.
Choose a style that suits their personality. For example, if your toddler is more outdoorsy and loves running around and playing sports with their friends, then perhaps getting them a buzz cut might be best for them!
Choose a style that suits the weather where you live. If it often rains where you live, cutting your child’s hair short would be best for them because it won’t get wet easily when caught in bad weather conditions!
Where to Get Toddler Haircut
Aside from finding the right hack to trick your kid into getting a haircut, finding the right place to get a toddler haircut can also be difficult with many styles and options. What follows is finding a salon that can accommodate your child’s needs and your own is important. Here are some key things to consider when choosing the right location:
- What kind of experience do you want?
- Do you need help dressing your child? Are there toys available? Do they have a play area? Does the salon have an age limit?
- How much time do you have? Are you looking for a quick trim or something more involved, like a full cut and colour change? Or maybe a combination of both!
- What kind of hair does your child have? Is it curly or straight? Thick or thin? How much maintenance does it require daily (if any)? Does it grow very quickly, or does it take forever for your child’s hair to grow out after she gets her haircut at another salon?
- What about safety concerns? Some salons use scissors, while others use clippers exclusively; if possible, try to avoid places that use scissors since they are more likely to nick or cut into your child’s skin—and that means bleeding!
Image Source: iStock
Myths About Toddler’s First Haircut
If your little one is getting his or her first haircut, you may feel slightly nervous. You’ve probably heard rumours about what to expect, and you may even have fears about what might happen.
But the truth is, there’s nothing to worry about! Here are some of the biggest myths about toddler first haircuts:
Myth #1: The hair will grow back thicker. This is a myth that many parents believe until they see their child’s head for themselves—and then they realise it isn’t true at all.
Myth #2: It will hurt them more than it hurts you. The truth is that toddlers don’t feel pain the way we do, so when they get their hair cut, they don’t feel anything!
Myth #3: They’ll cry when they see their reflection in the mirror after their haircut. This isn’t true either! Toddlers aren’t very self-aware yet, so they don’t realise what’s happening around them enough to have any kind of reaction other than being surprised by something new happening or not knowing why something happened (like getting their hair cut).
Sensory Haircut Solutions
If you’re a parent, you know that getting a haircut is a fun experience for most kids. But if your child has autism, sensory issues, or simply doesn’t like getting their hair cut, the experience can be downright traumatic.
The good news is that there are ways to make the experience more tolerable for your child—and we’ve got some tips that will help!
- Don’t make it about the haircut itself. Focus on other aspects of the appointment: the toys in the waiting room or looking through magazines together, for example. This will help keep your child’s attention focused on something other than what’s happening with their hair.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of breaks throughout the appointment (and, if possible, schedule multiple appointments). This way, they have time to decompress between each stage of their haircut, so they don’t feel overwhelmed by what’s happening around them.
- Use an underwater light show to distract your child from any sounds that might be causing them anxiety (like clippers buzzing). The lights will capture their attention instead and keep them distracted while you work on finishing up with clippers or scissors!
Updates by Pheona Ilagan
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