My 6-year-old son is obsessed with my hair.

[May36]

My six year old is obsessed with my hair. He tries to stroke it at any opportunity. I thought this was quite sweet at first, so didn't discourage it, but now his behaviour has become quite weird. He started to sniff my hair and make strange rodent-type noises. He'll even jump up at me just to get a quick touch. I'm not sure, but I think some of it is attention seeking, as he'll do it in public, and particularly if he doen't want to be somewhere, but he also does it at home.

I've tried everything - ignoring it, gently moving his hand away, talking to him, getting cross, and even banning him from touching my hair. When I ask him why he does it, he says it's because I'm so cute! I'm finding it really annoying, and now feel stressed and uncomfortable about cuddling him (as he will always, without fail, start hair stroking!).

Please help! I desperatly want to be able to cuddle ds, without feeding his obsession.

One of my dc used to like to hold onto my hair when bfing. Even now if they're upset they like to twiddle it round their fingers. It's comfort rather than anything else.

It's only a recent development! He didn't do it much as a baby. He started about a year ago (aged 5). If it was just a bit of comfort it would be ok, but it really is an obsession. It's a real shame, because when he started doing it, it was really nice - it felt like we were very close, and I hate having to stop him. Honestly though, if you saw it you would understand why I do try to stop him - it looks and sounds relly strange. It's verging on a fetish.

He has a couple of girl friends who are very cute, and spend most of their time trying to be cuter still, making squeaky noises, and letting ds stroke them. I assume that the two things are related. I really just want to get through to him that certain behaviours just aren't appropriate in public!

Ah! When dd1 was about that age she went to a summer workshop where she was the youngest and they carried her round and babied her. it took me about 6 months out of lisping and talking in a "aren't I cute?" way. I suspect it's probably similar then.

How did you stop her? Did she just get bored? I keep hoping he'll start playing with other friends, but he really loves these two!

My 4 year old plays with hair. Mine, his teachers and class mates with long hair.

He has ASD and hair allows him to fulfill a sensory need.
Has your child had any referrals?

@247dwr we have this with our 4 year old son - he’s also desperate to grow his hair. We’ve discovered it’s not the feel of it; it’s the movement. He equally likes running around with ribbons, lanyards and jewellery and watching the movement. Nursery have flagged it but no other concerns and on track development wise. What other things led you to a referral?