Haircuts for 2 year olds - any tips to stop the crying?

[HarryJoesMummy]

DS1 is 2 years old. I have been taking him to our local haidresser since he was 9 months old for a trim.

We live in a village, so we see the hairdresser in the local shops. She always talks to DS1, etc.

However, from the first time I took him to the salon, DS1 hated it. He won't sit on my knee in the chair, won't look at himself in the mirror, flings himself around, twists his head, you name it. We end up having to pin him against my shoulder with his head held firmly just to do a quick trim.

I have tried everything I can think of - hairdresser coming to us at home, taking books/toys to distract him, DH and my mother coming with us, bribing with smarties , taking him to see me and my mother getting our hair cut, but nothing seems to work.

It is now so bad that the owner of the salon has now asked us to stop taking DS1 there, I think in case he gets hurt and we sue them (not that we would), or else to protect her other customers from the sound of DS1 in the chair!

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you solve it? Any tips appreciated!

You can buy a hair trimmer quite cheaply from Boots that will do a fairly basic job of cutting hair. We still cut ds3's hair with one and it looks OKish.

I think your ds needs a break from the hairdressers. Can he go with his dad to a barbers and just watch for a few years until he wants to have his hair cut?

Mine now want to have theirs cut at a barbers because they get a lollipop at the end. But they hate the smell of hairdressers and I think they might play up just because of the smell/association if I took them to my hairdressers.(and they are 2,5 and 7 - ds3 always comes to watch when ds1 and 2 have their hair cut)

Thanks Bosch, that's useful advice. I agree that DS1 may just need a break. I'll investigate the hair trimmers tomorrow.

How about taking a dvd for him to watch while he has his hair cut..?

dd and ds both had their 1st and follwoing haircuts done at a kids hairsalon and they were well equipped. Books/dvds/toys etc.

When this hairdressers closed I just took them to my salon and they have never been a problem.
In fact the hairdresser and customers comment on how good they both are. They sit in the chair alone (apparently this is the best route or if on your lap you will struggle to break the habit) and are fab.

I think maybe something for him to watch may help and sweets as a reward.
Good luck x

Why bother? Let it grow - he's only 2!