DD tantrum at hair washing

[Pepvixen]

The last few weeks my nearly 4 year old DD has been having huge tantrums about having her hair washed. I've done a search but most posts seem to be about younger children or hair brushing (which she's ok with). Previously she's been ok with flannel over her face and a jug or 'mermaid' as we call it with her lying down. We've tried tough and strict and rewards with stickers and a shopkin but she screams and cries and fights.

Anyone experienced similar and have bright ideas?

Will she let you use the shower head?

No, unfortunately we have a fixed shower. We did try showering but it was predictably disastrous!

Get a doll and let her wash dolls hair in the bath -

Do they make those halo rubber face protector things you can get for babies for older children? That might help?

Will she rinse her hair herself?

My parents rinsed my hair, I remember hating it but not for long.. so if all else fails I'd grit teeth and tell yourself it's just another phase. Good luck.

I use a shampoo guard like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/142169967951?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=35352091421&rlsatarget=pla-279351691178&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=1006886&device=c&campaignid=738466455&crdt=0 for my 6 year old son - he kicks up a bit of a fuss, but I only wash his hair once a week so I just grin and bear it. He always calms down again pretty fast. He sits in the bath and I use a jug to pour the water over.

Thanks all. Sanity that looks very promising!

I just used to get on with it in spite of the screams. It's had no lasting effect. In fact , when she went into hospital to have her own child the most important thing to remember was her hair-drier.

How long is her hair OP? My DD was like this, she had very long hair and it was a nightmare to wash because she screamed that it was hurting etc. In the end we were both so fed up she agreed to have it cut to a bob. Straight away hair washing was so much quicker and easier. Three years later she still has a bob and she's now washing her own hair

We use a very wet flannel and baby bath (the kind that you don't have to be quite so fussy about rinsing). Both our 5yo and our 2yo struggle a bit but the 5yo likes to show his sister how good he is.
They also usually manage to put their hands in the shower and splash their heads but that took some practice.

Her hair is only shoulder length and very thin. I don't think cutting it would make too much difference.

I think it probably is just a phase, but it is her 'worst' thing so far.

I've ordered one of those protector things above and we'll see if that makes a difference!

That shield thing arrived today and worked brilliantly!

Thank you sanitygirl

What is the name of the shield thing? I can't get the link above to work and sounds like it would be useful for us too!

This is the name on that ebay listing: Baby Kids Children Shampoo Bath Shower Waterproof Shield Hat Cap Wash Hair ZY

Hurray! Glad it worked for you Pepvixen

How about trying swim goggles? It's easier when the hair is short but there is no way soap or water can get into their eyes. They also get to keep their eyes open and see what's going on.

We have the visor thing too. Boots sell them.
The other thing that helped here was I got in the bath too and he lay down in my lap. Then I could make sure none got in his eyes and he felt secure with me.
Was a right faff though!!

Does she swim? Our swimming teacher told us just to persevere and once we'd cracked it he was much better swimming too! We do "name, ready" then blow in his face and pout water on hair....apparently it gets them used to the cue for holding their breath - tell her to blow out as water going on hair/over face.

The swimming teacher said to get rid of the visor

And mine was a full on screaming nightmare! Took a few weeks to crack it, just did what I've mentioned above and said "blink, blink, blink" if he moaned about water in his eyes

Pour, not pout water!

Thank you it looks great!!