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Original poster

How do you handle kids who hate haircuts?

32 replies

Weepingwillows12 · 17/08/2019 12:49

My 3 year old hates having his haircut, always has. His older brother has always been fine. The 3 year old will shake and cry and scream sometimes, cower into me etc. He hates it.

We have tried different things like iPad, role playing haircuts, giving him lots of notice, no notice, comforting him, having him on my lap, getting haircuts at home, in salons, bribing him to be good, even telling him off. Nothing changes.

I thought he would grow out of it but I thought it would have happened by now.

Just had another disastrous cut where he cried the whole time and everyone stared.

What can I do?

OP posts:
MIdgebabe · 17/08/2019 12:50

Let it grow?

KurriKawari · 17/08/2019 12:53

Cut it yourself? Just a short trim more regularly. I dont know how easy/hard boys hair would be, but I've done DD hair.

velourvoyageur · 17/08/2019 12:53

Poor thing, he doesn't actually need it cut surely? Unless it's already waist length or something

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Ember12 · 17/08/2019 12:54

My youngest was the same we tried twice he hated it so we just left it. Its only hair Smile

IDontDrinkTea · 17/08/2019 12:55

Dont cut it?

Spudlet · 17/08/2019 12:55

We go at a quiet time, lots of praise while it’s happening and then a treat afterwards. He only has a dry trim so no water spray or anything and his hairdresser operates at high speed! I may swap soon to a lady I know who operates alone in her home, as that would be even less stressful (she’s been on mat leave so has only just started up again). He can get up and meander around her room if he wants and she follows him with her scissors Grin She has two little ones, so she gets it! There are a few people operating like that around us as were quite rural, might be worth looking for someone similar?

DS hates having his hair brushed and is prone to cradle cap so letting it grow wouldn’t work for us.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 17/08/2019 12:57

Another vote for don't cut it Grin

Witchend · 17/08/2019 14:38

I have a 12yo who hates hair cuts. He grows it until it annoys him, then I cut it just before hair wash fairly short.

I have suggested to him that if he can find a hair cut picture we can see if we can find a barber that would do that for him.
He isn't convinced.

MyMelodie · 17/08/2019 14:42

Just don't cut it, he will tell you when / if he wants it cutting. It's no big deal.

LittleMissEngineer · 17/08/2019 15:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

CrazyOldBagLady · 17/08/2019 15:41

I'd just not get it cut until he wants it cut.

Raera · 17/08/2019 15:42

Mobile hairdresser to visit your home?

SouthernLands · 17/08/2019 15:43

Do you know why he hates it? DS was the same, turned out he hated the idea/feel of his cut hair falling on him. I wrapped him in the largest towel we had and sat holding him on my lap whilst DH cut his hair. No more problems!

MsJaneAusten · 17/08/2019 15:44

Don’t cut it? Ask him what it is that bothers him? (For my DS it is clippers so we keep his longish)

diet4eva · 17/08/2019 15:46

Get a packet of chocolate buttons or white buttons (whichever they like best). Chop them into quarters and put back in the bag. Once child is at hairdressers hand them the bag. It will take them ages and lots of concentration to eat the buttons by which time the hairdresser ( who you have prewarned to be speedy) will be finished

Derbyshirelady · 17/08/2019 15:47

Our 3yo has sensory issues and hair cuts are pretty horrendous. If you're really intent on getting it cut, we go to a guy who specialises in kids and like others have said go when it's quiet.

Clippers work better for our son than scissors. He's got mad thick hair which doesn't help!

But he has got much better with careful management of the situation to ensure he's not damaged for life. Telling him off probably not the way to go...

We've got through many bags of chocolate buttons.

GummyGoddess · 17/08/2019 15:48

We go to a special toddler salon, they sit in Cars, watch cbeebies and have toys brought to them.

BlackCatSleeping · 17/08/2019 15:49

I disagree with not getting it cut. Just still go, loads of praise, use a hairdresser who’s quick and efficient, reward after finishing, ignore the screaming and crying.

CampfireZen · 17/08/2019 15:57

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/parenting/salon-hairdressers-autism-children-manchester-15714110

Read this a while back and thought it may be of interest to some of you in Manchester region.

They welcome kids who just simply hate having their hair cut, as well as those with additional or complex needs.

ThePolishWombat · 17/08/2019 15:59

Just don’t cut it?
My DS is almost 3, and has never had a haircut in his life. Not even a trim. It’s now past his shoulders.
He is utterly terrified when we go into the barbers with DH - I think it’s the big chair and noises he doesn’t like. So I’m not going to force him into cutting his hair if it’s just going to be traumatic for him.

PenelopePitshag · 17/08/2019 16:02

You could let it grow, sure. And then you end up with it knee length, like DD. I'm not even joking. I've NC'd for this post as it's pretty outing. She's only 7. It's a pain in the backside. It's enormously thick, too. And curly.

We're trying to encourage her that being able to brush it herself, etc, will be lovely & Very Grown Up.

Wheresmycider · 17/08/2019 16:37

My eldest had an amazing thick blonde mop with a wonky fringe. I had to trim the fringe out of his eyes while he slept that's why it was wonkey.
Started to grow out of it about 4 as we talked about big boy hair for school.

PenguinsRabbits · 17/08/2019 16:45

My DS is 12 and ASD and has always hated haircuts. When he was little I would cut it but now he won't let me. He's better at hairdressers with films and female hairdressers rather than barbers. DH took him to barbers a few months back and he got upset mid haircut and has refused to let anyone near it since so currently has half a haircut. People keep mistaking him for a girl but he's adamant its not that bad. It really is and desperately want it done pre-school starting back. Contacted a mobile hairdresser and didn't respond, may see if we have an autism one.

strawberrypenguin · 17/08/2019 16:46

I cut my DS2's hair at home with electric shaver things as he hate the hairdresser but will let me do it (he's 3) I've got quite good at it and can do it fairly fast too. DS1 loves going the hairdresser though, he always has a good old chat to the hairdresser as well!

Camomila · 17/08/2019 16:51

DS age 3 is the same. I'd let it grow but as soon as it gets to about collar length he complains it's itchy on his neck and ears.
He was ok with a hairdresser who came to the house but she's moved away now.

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