Can someone explain how I can cut my 21mo's hair

[Kathyjelly]

He is basically a human grasshopper and I'm struggling to avoid cutting his ears off, never mind get his hair straight. And being the same length on both sides would be nice too.Plus he keeps trying to put his hands in the scissors or jerks his head, risking his eyes.

My hair salon won't take kids until they're old enough to sit still. I've thought of waiting until he's asleep but he usually sleeps on his front and wriggles up until his head is wedged against the bars of the cot. He isn't the sort of child to have quiet time, he runs round like a lunatic and then sleeps where he drops.

He's starting to share a look with Worzel Gummage. How does everyone else cope?

At the same age my weapons of choice were a high chair, clippers with a number 4 comb guide, chocolate buttons and my Mum to help.

I have a 22mth old who sounds similar

1. I have accepted his hair may be er... bohemian

2. I do it at breakfast while he is sat in highchair. He seems to be calmer and quieter then. Bizarrely, he does actually stay still while I cut. Have found my 4yr old was easier whe younger! She just forgets and flips round

Actually, dd managed to cut ds's hair quite extensively- and quite a good job- 5 or 6mths ago. can't believe how he still he stays for her (to add clips/hairbands/tutus/facepaint) . So maybe if you have older children/relatives?!

I do the same as MumInBeds

When mine were that age I'd do it in 5 minute chunks when I could persuade them to sit still and then I used to finish it when they were asleep. Had to do it with scissors (they hated the noise of clippers) and cut it really short as easier to level sides (difficult when they were lying down) and then needs doing less often. I'd pick a couple of days when we weren't going out as they looked rather peculiar during the process.

Adair - chortles at Bohemian.

If I use clippers my dp will leave me. He favours a layered short back and sides crop. I'm just keen to avoid the pudding basin horror I remember being inflicted on me.

Thanks. I shall try tomorrow at breakfast with Chocohooplas and Rory the Racing Car.

If your partner is specifying the haircut, can I suggest he undertake the procedure? I think pudding basins are cute on little toddlers.

Hairdresser.

find a childrens' hairdresser - they are used to having to be very quick. Or put a dvd on, wet comb and use a trimmer to neaten the edges.

Dvd and chocolate buttons,you have to post the buttons into their mouth or they get hairy buttons( cue more wailing ).

oh not clippers.

scissors, sweeties, engrossing telly and confidence. make a plan of what bits you will cut and don't try to do it all in one go - front one day, back and sides the next. i have got rather good and do dh's hair now.

yy trumpton. also not a lolly it gets v hairy.

I really don't think either of them is ready for the experience of dp cutting ds's hair.

This is the man who told his 7 month old that "his behavior was simply unacceptable". I'm still snorting with laughter when dp's not looking.

peppa pig/smarties/chocolate buttons and bribery.

DS is currently sporting a lovely bowl cut though, and I just cut his fringe in the bath.

rofl @ hairy buttons

can't you take to a different hair dresser if that one wont take such young children? or is there only one in your area?
i take my ds to have it done and he is also like that wont stay still @ all but they let you sit them on your knee then one lady cuts the hair quickly another one waves all the combs and equipment infront of them and lets them touch everything 2 keep them entertained, and some salons have tv to keep them in their seat. i think it would be much more difficult doing it @ home, so would try to find somewhere that'll take him

I did my DS at just over 12 months, my local gents barbers did a very nice trim.

Toddler on a board on the seat, a cloth wrap around his top half like the adults have (and keeps his arms out the way) and then me cajoling him to keep quiet and holding his head still where necessary.

I'm with Firawla, might be worth looking at other hairdressers to see if they are a bit more willing - although I got told very firmly that DS was my responsibility to get his hair cut (seeing as I know the local gents hairdressers better then my DW).

Well, it's not too bad. The chocohooplas plus a madonna video did the trick.

A bit uneven at the back but it tucks in naturally so that doesn't show too much and the bits above his ears look positively groomed. Feeling quite proud actually.

Liamsdaddy, at the idea of him sitting on a board with a wrap round him. I'll definitely try that next time.