To bring my kids to my hairdresser appointment

[cadburyegg]

I really need my hair cut, but the only spot my hairdresser had was a cancellation on a Saturday in a couple of weeks time. Usually I schedule appointments for when my kids are at their dad's, but this appointment falls on my weekend. My mum would usually babysit but can't on this occasion.

I'd be in there for about an hour for a wash, cut and blow dry. Do you think it's acceptable to bring my kids - age 9 and 6 - along? They would bring either tablets (with headphones) and books etc to keep them occupied, no noisy toys. They are perfectly capable of sitting still for that long and wouldn't be running around.

Don’t do this without talking to the hairdresser, please don’t just turn up with them. At my salon there wouldn’t be any room for them at all especially on a busy Saturday when it’s back to back.

The salon I go to wouldn’t allow children. Apart from that a lot of hair appointments aren’t cheap and people go to relax away from children. I wouldn’t be happy paying £200+ plus for a hair appointment and there be children in causing a nuisance or taking up space or seats other customers need.

Check with the hairdresser first.

It'd be a flat no from me. I send out an appointment confirmation email that states that unless required (eg. you need another adult to be there with you) you should attend unaccompanied, and children are not welcome.

IME they absolutely won't sit quietly without interrupting the appointment, for an hour.

There will need to be stacks of chairs or seating

No. I don't want to go for a hair cut and a break from my children to sit with your kids.

No child care no hair cut.

When my DC were small and I was working I always went to the hairdressers on a Saturday morning when DH could have a lie in and look after the DC. The only problem was they had a client who came in every week to have her hair washed and dried ready for her big night out, she always came with her DC who may have been younger but was an absolute nightmare, and it was not a relaxing experience, I considered changing salons, as it was hard to avoid her as she did not come in at a consistent. In the end I was able to work with my stylist to find an evening appointment.
The salon was and still is really busy on a Saturday and 2 extra children would just be in the way, make a different appointment or find your own childcare!

It will be fine. Not everyone is as uptight as Mumsnetters.

In fact my hair dresser has refused service to women who turn up with kids in tow and that's one of the reasons I have followed her to her new salon.

It's parents like you who give parents a bad name. So entitled!

Pay for a mobile hair dresser to come to your house if you don't want o pay for child care but no one else wants their hair cut with your kids staring at them or watching videos on YouTube

It would be fine at my hairdressers. How rowdy are these kids that are going to disturb everyone? If they can sit and read a book then I don’t see how it impacts other customers.

There wouldn't be sufficient room at my salon.

Could they go to a friends house for a playdate instead?

If I went to have a hair appointment I would not want children there, however well- behaved. It is not about just the hair cut, it's the whole experience. I'm sure some other customers might feel the same. I suppose best thing to do is ask if there is space to accommodate them.

Ask the hairdresser. If they say no, accept it and reschedule.

I’ve taken my daughter to an appt but I let my hairdresser know in advance my circumstances (knows I don’t have anyone outside of DH and daughter is all about mum) and she let me know that it was all right beforehand. I had automatically assumed I couldn’t but she let me know that it was ok with her.

I went for a consultation at a salon and saw a woman with her son (looked about one) and the hairdresser washed and cut her hair while the woman’s son was in her lap simply watching his mum and the hairdresser.

Our daughter is a wiggler so would never work.

I think it depends on the hairdresser and how much space they have and also can you absolutely guarantee they won't start messing about?
I had a woman recently bring her kids to a dental appointment. They were around 11 and 13. Old enough to sit still and watch or read something. In the middle of the waiting room they started play fighting and screaming and rolling around the floor! The receptionist had to go into the surgery to get the mother to drag them up from the floor!
I've had plenty of mothers bring children to appointments and while I'd definitely advise no to younger than 5 or 6, a lot really is just dependent on their behaviour. Even the best behaved kids can suddenly want to ask endless questions to mum during the appointment (which isn't as bad for a hair appointment of course as at least she can reply unlike at the dentist), but then they want a snack, a drink, mum to unlock the phone again, load a new video etc etc.
So if they will honestly just sit still and not keep getting up and asking for things throughout, and as long as there's enough space, I'd think it was fine.

Sounds fine but maybe run it past the hairdresser first.
i don’t use one but our daughter has and they had a children’s corner specially to cover this circumstance with books and a few toys.
At those ages really can’t see a problem.

it's hard. provided that they were sitting there quietly I wouldn't care, but otoh if every customer brought 2 kids along on a busy saturday it would be completely impossible so I can see why the hairdressers wouldn't want it...

Because mobile dresser are available everywhere and everyone has people they trust and can pay to watch their child for an hour or two. 🙄

As long as OP asks, and accepts the answer, she is not entitled.

Also, where do you go where children just sit and stare at people getting their hair done and why would it bother you if a kid is silent with headphones on watching something in the corner?

@phoenixrosehere she is entitled. I went to 2 hair dressers where they allowed children and they were sat on the spinning chairs,
Running around, picking up scissors, one kept coming over to me and asking me why I had a fake leg (was wearing a dress for the first time since my cancer surgery) I told the mum I wasn't interested in talking to her children and she called me the rude one.

Yes YABU. They'll be in the way even if they're quiet.

Ask your stylist. My salon is spacious with plenty of seating. I took my 6yo once, he watched his tablet with headphones and sat quietly the entire time. My stylist gave me a chair at the end of a row, and moved one of the reception chairs next to me in the corner, out of the way of everyone else. I think it depends on your salon policy and your kids ability to sit quietly for a prolonged period.

I would agree. My hairdressers premises are small, there's only 5 seats for people waiting.
Personally as a customer I would be pissed off if I had to stand because other customers' children were occupying seats meant for clients.
Best to check in advance with the hairdresser.

So long as there’s plenty space and they are capable of (at 6&9 should be) staying quiet what’s the issue. They go to the toilet before you leave and you give them a juice whilst they’re there before you get started all good. 6&9 is plenty old enough to be well behaved for an hour (at least).

No.

The hair salon is a place women go to for a treat, to pamper themselves and get away from kids. It's not a creche.

Just ask the hairdresser. Mine has a small lounge area with about 4 seats. I have sat there while colour takes in the past. It wouldn’t bother me if your children were quietly sitting there.

If hairdresser agrees , make sure they have a drink and snack and a screen and show them where the wc is before you get started. Do not expect staff to manage them.

Thanks everyone who responded constructively. I will call tomorrow and reschedule for a better time.