How do I cut my 3 year old's hair?

[redtreesummer]

DS has really thick hair which grows really fast, currently over ears and eyes and really needs a cut. He absolutely hates having his hair cut, I can not get him into a hairdresser or near him with scissors even with generous use of treats, TV, iPad, rewards etc. In the past it has ended up with him getting really upset and me holding on to him to even cut hair out of his eyes and as he is getting bigger it is getting harder. I wondered if anyone had any experience of this or tips?

It's not worth it is it. Leave it to grow until he is a bit bigger and try again. He will looks sruffy but it it won't hurt him.

In the meantime, play hairdressers lots. (But make sure you hide any real scissors well! - I speak from experience!)

Do you have a children's hairdresser near you? They can be like absolute magicians.

Alternatively, I used to work with adults with autism and we had stories with props and one was a hairdressing one. Part of the story was dressing up in the hairdressing cape, and using clippers, squirting the hair with water, looking in the mirror. It was good fun and got them a lot more comfortable with the idea. Would probably work with kids too.

I did take him to a children's hairdresser, lovely place, we even went on a little visit first, but when it came to it he just refused point blank! Really good idea about playing hairdressers! I will see if I can get some stuff to play with.

Combination of all the things you've tried and perseverance for us! DS is nearly 4 and I still had to let him sit on my lap for it the other day.

The upset was all wiped out by the chocolate brownie he got immediately after.

My ds hated it at first. Cried but sat still so went ahead. Found that when I took him more regularly (3-4weeks) and went to the same place every time he quickly got the routine of it. Tears stopped but he was nervous looking then not long after he was fine.

We would go to the shop and pick a treat (usually smarties) for the hairdressers then in the queue talk about his treat to eat during haircut. He looked forward to that and tolerated hair cut.

Now we can go about 5-6 weeks between cuts but I think more regular initially did help him remember the routine.