Toddler Hates Having His Hair Cut.....Big Time!!!

[SH27]

My DS has loads of hair that grows at a rate of knots. He absolutely hates having his hair cut and goes berserk when our hairdresser or I try and cut it.

We are talking full on hysteria and it is really distressing for everyone. I don't know where it comes from as he has never had a bad experience and is fine at the doctors etc.

The trouble is I can't just leave his hair, as as I have mentioned he has loads of it.

Any tips on a stress free hair cut? I have tried chocolate button bribes etc.

Many thanks.

Cut it when he's asleep? I just cut my toddler's hair over two naps, he was none the wiser.

ds1 is also like this and tbh we just get to a point and then have to leave it so he often just has half a hair cut. We normally take a selection of books etc which work up until a point. I think the best thing is not to push it. We we be trying a mobile hairdresser at MIL's this xmas - the hairdresser swears that kids behave much better if the parent isn't there - willing to give anything a go

Other than that, I jave no other ideas apart from just to leave it .

What has worked with both DS1 amd DS2 is to be exceptionally strict on TV watching and then allow them to watch TV (and particularly something they really like to watch) while I cut their hair or their nails. DS1 now comes to me and says can he have his hair cut! I use clippers on mine so I can do it at home but if you need to go to a hairdressers perhaps you could try a portable DVD player?

I do my DDs in the high chair whilst she's eating something particularly coveted. Then I put DD in the bath, and clean the highchair down whilst she's splashing away. I don't think bribes - as in for afterwards - work so well at this age because they don't get the concept of time, which is why I let her eat at the same time. I guess asleep may be easier but am sure I would get it all wonky!

My ds is autistic and hair cuts have always been incredibly difficult for him to deal with.

When he was a toddler I bought hair dressing scissors and cut it while he slept. Now (7yrs old) we use a simple count down system 10 - 0 and when we reach 0 it stops. We use this for dentist and other stressful situations too. Visual timers (egg timer type thing) or posting a set number of objects etc all can work. This system can take a while to establish (especially with a child like mine with learning difficulties) but works wonders to help with anxiety.

Another technique used with learning difficulties but that can be applied to young children too is introducing a simple social story - again it takes time but can be a positive reinforcer.

Good luck!

I bring the high chair into the sittingroom and put Cbeebies on whilst DS is eating a sweetie. But am always happy to take a couple of days over it.

Oh, forgot to say, scissors got to dangerous so we use clippers now.