To shave my 3 year olds head?

[InTheFamilyTree]

My 3 year old daughter had lovely wavy blonde hair, but is the bane of my life atm. She hates having it washed so have to do it forceably every week, as nothing we've tried seems to help (shower head, cap etc).

It's now matted in loads of places, I brush every day but she hated that too so never manage to get the tangles out. Any advice? Or AIBU to just shave it off?

No, don't do that! Consult a hairdresser with experience of children's hair. They may be able to remove the tangles or give her a pixie cut if it cannot be sorted.

Cut it shorter. How long is it? I love having short hair, so much easier, and I'm planning to keep my DDs hair on the short side to avoid the tangles!

I cut my daughter's into a bob because she wouldn't brush it. It was much better.

I don’t think it’s a problem, but you need to take her thoughts into consideration.

Maybe show her some pictures.

I don't think you should shave her head. That isn't a long term solution.
Has she ever had a hair cut?

I’m hoping you aren’t serious about shaving her head and that it’s meant in jest. You’d be making her into an oddity compared to her peers and it’s completely unnecessary (not to mention cruel).

Brush from the ends up. Do not start at the top. I find the wet brush is excellent. Use detangler. Coconut oil and a wide toothed comb may help very matted hair. Make sure it’s professionally cut in a manageable style. If it’s long enough to plait at night, do.

Buy some spray on conditioner. Shiny drops by Johnson's is good. I could never get a brush through DD's hair without it.

Also, try getting some of the tangles out whilst she's asleep?

Have you got a tangle teezer brush? Mine and my daughter’s hair is very prone to tangling. This may be obvious but it’s easier to brush from the bottom up. If it’s matted I would just stick her in front on the TV and brush until it’s detangled.

God don’t shave your child’s head. Are you mad?

Shave of course you shouldnt

Bob or pixie cut definitely

Don’t shave it! But a short cut is definitely the way to go!

It’s only hair, it will grow back. But at the moment it’s causing you both a lot of hassle and stress so get rid of (most of) it!

How wavy is her hair? Some people with wavy hair actually have curly hair so brushing it, particularly when dry is painful.

Regardless first take her to the hairdresser and get it cut into a bob.

Then use a spray on conditioner every single time you brush it. Don't brush/comb it dry Buy it or make your own by putting some water in a spray bottle, add a squirt of conditioner and shake.

Also if you are trying to get tangles out you have to work in small sections starting from the tips working backwards. Use a comb rather than a brush to get tangles out.

You aren’t the only parent whose child dislikes having their hair washed and brushed. You need to learn to keep on top of it and she will get used to having it brushed.
Use lots of conditioner. I find using a wet brush the easiest. When you have untangled it, have it cut to her shoulders/a bob and brush it every morning and bedtime. Otherwise plait it at bedtime.

It sounds like it might be better after a bit of a cut, but even shorter hair needs combing every day and washing reasonably often

If she would like it shaved, go for it.

Otherwise a pixie cut.

No no no. No. No.

Cut it into a bob? Sure.
Shave it? People will think she’s ill and you’ll spend all of your time wondering how to navigate people muttering sympathetically and staring.
Also it’s just not kind, unless she’s shown a strong preference for a shaved head.

Do your parenting, address the washing issues, get a tangle teaser and crack on!

But some leave in spray conditioner, especially made for children to keep knots at bay, then invest in a tangle teaser brush!

My mother always cut my hair into a bob when I was little as I had tangly wavy thick hair and I always hated it! I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards as my hair used to stick out in loads of different directions when short. So I vote no for a Bob cut!

My daughter’s hair is the same. Use the absolute best shampoo and conditioner that you can afford, conditioner is especially important and I find the children’s ones don’t do the trick. A great tip is popping on a leave in conditioner for 5 mins while she plays in the bath. Before you rinse, brush it through with a tangle teaser - It’s a game changer, I promise.

My daughter has ringlet hair and it gets so tangled and matted unless I keep it plaited most of the time.

I use cantu shampoo and conditioner, leave in shampoo and use a tangle tease but it still gets really tangled.

Keeping it in a plait is the only thing that worked for us.

If she’s got genuinely wavy hair you probably don’t want to brush it too much anyway. I have wavy hair, I comb conditioner through it when when washing and then comb through a spray in leave in conditioner once I’m out of the shower/bath. I let it air dry and do it’s thing. Doesn’t get combed again until next wash. I know she’s only tiny so it may be different but you might just be fighting the wave.

I meant leave in conditioner

What is the trend for little girls having such long unmanageable hair these days? Hairdressers are open again. Cut it short, into a bob or more sensible style.

@Quartz2208

Shave of course you shouldnt

Bob or pixie cut definitely

What they said ⬆️

Bob cut and then get into the habit of tangle teezer and spray in conditioner every time you brush.