Tips for getting a toddler to comply with hair cuts

[Brassica]

My 2.3 yo twins are both awful at having their hair cut, but my son in particular. While he's always cried and screamed during the process before, yesterday was the first time he has been utterly beyond my control to get into a position where the hairdresser could cut his hair. They couldn't come near him with or without scissors, and he was scrabbling at the door of the shop to get out - clearly I couldn't even get him near the chair. It was a phobia-like reaction!

Since leaving his hair uncut is absolutely not an option, what can I do? I am wondering whether administering a dose of piriton might work - seriously. If anyone's had a situation like this that they found a solution to, it would be great to hear it.

I think I'd leave it largely uncut and then trim it out of his eyes when he's asleep.

just save yourself the pain and trim his fringe when asleep. leave the rest.

Do you have an iPhone/portable DVD player?

DS hated having his hair cut until I let him watch Mickey Mouse on my phone whilst it was done. The hairdresser now has an old iPod with kids program's on to use when kids need distracting!

There is an episode of "Wooly and Tig" about a little girl going to the hairdressers, it helped my DD. Good luck!

I cut my LO hair in the bath. She is busy playing and not noticing what i am doing.

Yep I take my iPhone and ds watches something. If he's tired there's no way on earth he will let them cut it so mornings are best.

why is leaving it uncut not an option?

I had (and still do occasionally) exactly this problem with one of my twins. After months of awful haircuts or none and a yeti like appearance, I found a specialist kids hairdresser, phoned them up to discuss, and having been assured that they could cope took them there. They were brilliant, and he is now mostly OK although he does still have his moments, we are now faithful customers!

Just for info - I had already tried distraction (with DVDs and TV), reading books about it beforehand, 'cutting' his cuddly's hair, bribery etc and nothing had worked...

Since we started having a hairdresser come to the house and I can strap him in his booster seat in front of his favourite TV program this has got soooo much easier! No more tears!

We had the same situation with DS. We bought some clippers and do it ourselves now. First few times we did it I also did DH's at the same time and that helped a bit I think. The last time it was done, DH actually did it and he watched Postman Pat on the iPad and he was fine.

The haircuts are actually quite good, and it'll save us a fortune which is an added bonus

why is leaving it uncut not an option?

My two have wild curly mad hair. If it doesn't get cut regularly then it's hard to manage. And not fair on them - especially when they get hot and sweaty.

I cut it myself after bathtime and let DD watch peppa pig on the ipad as a treat so she complies. Works really well.

Family bag of Quavers. DS comes out covered in yellow dust and stinking like a cheese factory, but at least it's all over and done with (till the next time).