Child's sticking up hair - won't flatten

[Allthenameshavegone1972]

Mg dgs has got wiry blonde/ginger hair. It's not curly or frizzy. Got a high forehead so his fringe has to be long (like Ellie Leach). The trouble is his crown. No matter how much you wet it down, hairspray it, blow dry etc it springs up like a peacock. Any advice on what we could use? He's a lovely looking lad but hair is a mess, can't keep him tidy!

How old is he? Is he bothered by his hair?

Also not seeing why a high forehead means his fringe ‘has to be long’, tbh.

Do you brush it? You might find if you don’t brush it, that it’s curly after all.

Just let it be. It hurts no one but your sense of style.

Are you the primary carer for your dgs? Or are you trying to suggest your own dd/ds isn’t doing a good enough job with the hair? Does it actually matter?

I'll bet he has a double crown. No amount of tinkering will make it lie flat but sometimes a longer cut at the crown can help.

You could try a very moisturising anti dandruff shampoo. My lad has been using t gel or a cheaper supermarket alternative from age 9/10 +. His hair can be very sticky up too. His is much better now, or he's not complaining about it anyway! 😏

I was thinking g double crown too.

Either grow it longer so it lies down, or have it very short so it can't stick up, or leave it as no one will care unless he does. Anyone who is bothered by it, unless it's your grandson, should get a grip.

I think the solution is to find a hairdresser who knows how to cut his hair with his presumably double crown in mind. Not all hairdressers are competent at it.

But is OP's grandson complaining? Or is his parents? Or is it just OP who has a problem with this "untidiness"?

Yes, that's very true. It was my son who was complaining in our case. If he isn't happy himself, I've no doubt they'll hear about it in due course! ☺️. Ya, OP could leave it to themselves, these things often improve as they grow older anyway and they develop their own style

I'd like the parents' thoughts on this. I'd be pissed off if my MIL was using hairspray on my DC's hair.

To everyone, thank you for the advice that has been given. He's 8, so not too bothered at the moment, but as he gets older I'm sure he'll care more.
Also, I don't think there is anything wrong with having a bit of pride in yourself & your family, especially if you're going somewhere nice such as a wedding.
To those who have been quick enough to jump down my throat as you've assumed I'm overstepping. No, I'm not the main carer & nor suggesting dd is not doing a good job. She's given me permission to try & find something to calm it down while we look after him this weekend.

@EmotionalSupportBlanket Yeah I was just coming to say the very same! 4yo DS has a double crown and it sticks up all over the place if cut too short! Longer around the crown definitely makes a difference!

@Allthenameshavegone1972 - what age is he? I hope the long fringe and all the blow drying and hair spraying is being done because your DGS is bothered by his own hair and you’re working to help him find a way to style it - rather than him being told he has to wear his hair certain ways to keep it neat!

Does he have “uncombable hair syndrome”? I remember reading about hair just how you describe!

Well it needs to be left a bit longer to have weight to it to keep it down. My son has poke straight hair so if it's too short it stands on end!

Like this! Which was right after a haircut

Show us a picture so we can make suggestions. Any good hairdresser or barber will hopefully be able to correct it, but it may take 2 or 3 cuts and a growing period, of what the barber solution is.

There’s a lovely children’s Johnson’s conditioning spray that we use. Spray the hair (until very wet) then comb through. It should make it smoother and a little more neat.

This is a you problem.

@Allthenameshavegone1972

Why can't you have a bit of pride in yourself and your family that isn't related to a child's appearance?

Why so fragile and lacking in confidence?

Why so much emphasis on the child's appearance?

You should do what someone told me his mother used to do to smooth his hair down - spit on your hands first. TBH he is in his 70s and he could have been joking.

I was going to suggest this too. It's a real thing, some people's hair just can't be controlled.

I love sticky up hair it’s cool

Again, thank you to those giving nice, constructive answers. To those with chips on your shoulders, perpetually angry if anything relates to looks or grandparents helping out, grow up. Do your children have wiry hair that's flat in one place & sticks up in another? There's nothing wrong in helping your children look as though they haven't been dragged through a hedge backwards. I'm of the age where mums cut the kids hair & have very vivid memories of going to school in the early 70's with wonky fringes & being teased about it.
For what it's worth dgs has admitted he'd prefer his hair not to stick up. Think it's a case of having it cut more often to keep the peacock on the crown at bay; so I've taken him to my hairdresser. He's done a brilliant job. Dgs, dd & dsil are all pleased & he wants to go back next time. Then, with permission of dd, I took him shopping for a few, much needed clothes after his recent growth spurt. Controversially I helped him choose his new clothes without his mum's input.