Where am I going wrong? Don't think I can stand this for much longer.

[Carla]

Mum says I should just sit them in between my legs and tell them they've got to have their hair brushed. I try to use the persuasive technique, but that doesn't work. I'm at my wit's end ... what would you do? It's just that it's every flipping day ....

I pin 'em down and brush. I have yelling and screaming, but for me, like teeth brushing, it's not an option.

Thanks Mum2girls. How old are yours? Have I gone beyond that point? Mine are 5 and 6? and nearly on the point of weeping.

How old are they? do they have long hair? Why not cut it a bit shorter. I never brush ds's hair - he's fine about it, I'm just really, really lazy! I run my fingers through it instead.

How about getting them to choose their own hairbrushes - nice sparkly pink ones ??! Playing a game of hairdressers ? How old are they?

What would they say if you said you were gonna have it all cut short ????

2 and 4, so younger. But I don't think you've gone beyond it - mine are addicted to Milkshake (bad mommy) in the mornings and the tv just goes off if they start having a paddy - works most times...and when it doesn't, I do it anyway. Can you bribe them similarly?

Nutty I use that one too to the 4yo, (who adores herself)...'I'll make an appointment an get it cut short like mummy's'.

To which she replies horrified,'No - you look like a boy!'

Mine are threatened with a short haircut if they don't let me do their hair. Have always told them, they can have it as long as they like as long as it looks tidy.

Did even get as far as dialing the hairdressers number with Dd1, but then she gave in.

Aren't we mean Mum2girls

Probably Nutty, but I have to get my own back for all those sleepless nights somehow....

Thanks to you all. Issymum, I've tried every bribe possible. DD1 is okay with tangle tamer, but even that won't wash now. DD2 insists she hates the smell and won't even go anywhere near DD1 while she has it on. WHAT CAN I DO????

Even when I suggested they'd have to have their hair cut short, they both replied 'we don't mind'. But I love their long hair. Am I being too selfish?

Threaten to have it cut really short. In fact pick the phone up, pretend to dial the hairdressers and let them believe you've made an appointment.

Mum2girls, but if they both said they don't mind .... Do you think I should just go for it then

I really would do it - especially if they say they don't mind (wouldn't go for a no.2 razor, at least not the first time, but would take a couple of inches off shoulder length hair). Took DD1 to hairdresser a while ago and once she'd had an inch or so off the bottom, it was so much easier afterwards.

Am aiming to keep her hair at chin level, however have told her, that if I see her hair in her mouth (she sucks it) one more time, I'll have it cut so that she can't. She knows I'll do it.

I feel like a real dragon compared with you , but I just feel that there are some things where I need to put my foot down.

I hope this comes out right.

If you twist their hair before brushing the ends it stops the root being pulled.

My DDs hate having their hair done. They have thick, curly hair. I find that twisting it stops most of the squawking. However, I do my best to ignore them, pin the down (as mentioned before) and brush. As they get older (10 & 6) I let them do a lot of the brushing. I constantly remind them to do the underneath. I also find that spraying with a little water works wonders. hth

My 10 year old DD has quite long hair and it's really pretty, but she also suited it in a bob style, but she has always wanted it as long as she can have it. As she boards at school it has been in some terrible states, and has taken me 3-4 hours each day for 2-3 days to get the tangles out when she comes home. Getting a couple of inches off the bottom made a lot of difference to it's manageability and the hairdresser also sold me a very small tube of stuff for £12 that worked like a miracle on the tats. (Sorry I can't remember the name and she lost it last term in school).
She puts up with the battle on her hair as that is the way she wants it, I would prefer her to get it cut and make it easier to manage.

Thank God for little boys

How do you mean twist it, MarsLady? God, MN'ers have made me feel better already. Not so weepy about it, anyway

take some of the hair, about a third to half way down, make a large twist of the hair (I wish there was a way to draw a diagram), then brush the ends. The twist looks like it would if you were wringing out clothes. hth

jordylass, I love that style, have always craved it myself, but since dds have inherited my thick and curly hair it just wouldn't work. Has your dd got that wonderfully straight, fine hair then?

MarsLady, I think I've got the picture. My problem is getting them to come anywhere near me when they see I've got a hairbrush in tow.

yes, straight and blonde looks v cute in a bob, its becoming quite thick but still fine and that makes it tangle very quickly, a bob would be much mor practical, but she loves it long

my final resort has always been some chocolate and video of their choice, or a treat when it's all over.