Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

PGL trip - DD can't do her own hair...

25 replies

TheUnburnt · 30/05/2014 16:27

DD1 is 11 and has ASD. She is going on a residential PGL trip in 2 weeks with the rest of her year 6 class. She'll be away for 4 days. But, she can't do her own hair yet. She can wash it, and can comb it in a fashion but can't get the hang of putting it in a ponytail with a hairband. She also hates having her hair down. I'm a bit stuck at what to do TBH.

We've been having "lessons" practicing on dd2's hair and then her own for the past few weeks but she just can't seem to get the hang of it. She doesn't have any friends who can help her with her hair whilst she's away, (has 1 friend in school, he's not going).

I've thought about maybe getting it braided in the hairdressers on the morning she goes and hope it stays in for the 4 days. But she's going to be doing some wet and muddy activities, and there's a big possibility she'll end up with muddy hair and have to wash it anyway whilst she's away.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

OP posts:

newnameforanewstart · 30/05/2014 16:30

Could she twist it and use a big hair pin to put it up?

If its long could she do a pinless bun, they are not difficult

Would one of the teachers / helpers help her?

PotteringAlong · 30/05/2014 16:31

Talk to her class teacher / TA who is going too. I'm sure they'll put her hair in a ponytail for her for the few days she's there.

MimsyBorogroves · 30/05/2014 16:35

When you put it in a ponytail, how do you do it? I remember having conniptions in year 8 (really) because my mum was going away overnight so couldn't put my hair in a ponytail and I couldn't do it myself. She had always done it in the middle of the back of my head if you see what I mean and I just couldn't figure it out myself. I still can't to be honest. I even begged my dad to ring me in sick that day as he couldn't do it and I couldn't face having my hair down.

I eventually managed to get it in a very very low ponytail - scraped low at my neckline at the base of my skull with the band loosely wrapped around two/three times. It's still my go-to style now if necessary because I just can't do anything with my hair.

MimsyBorogroves · 30/05/2014 16:35

Pressed send too soon - would she be able to manage that more easily? It's far easier to work out whether it's in the middle or not, and whether all the bits are gathered up etc.

Revised · 30/05/2014 16:46

There will be someone who can help her. Either a teacher or TA will spend a minute or two to do it each morning or a friend will jump a the chance to do it for her.

Talk to the teacher.

jazzandh · 30/05/2014 16:46

Does she like having long hair? Would she prefer it / would it suit her to have a shorter cut .......

What about low bunches at the side, could she see in the mirror to pull her hair forward and put a band on it?

I am sure a teacher would help her ...

My son only showered once while he was on a recent PGL and don't suppose he brushed his hair at all. So a tight plait would probably stay in and mud would wash out of it.......

bronya · 30/05/2014 16:48

Twist and put up with a big clip (the ones with the teeth that you can get everywhere!).

VenusDeWillendorf · 30/05/2014 16:55

French plait it for her into two plaits, she needn't take them out for 4 days.

Plait it when its almost dry, and use a tiny amount of dry oil smoothed over the ends.
Nuxe huile prodigieuse is great, (for sale in Marks and Spencers for about 20£ and lasts a year)
to tame fly aways, and silicone bands to secure. They won't budge.

OwlCapone · 30/05/2014 16:56

I would have thought that a teacher would help.

I agree that a big clip may do the trick too. Or would she find a scrunchie easier to manage as it's bigger than a hair band?

Kif · 30/05/2014 16:59

There are lots of gadgets around to do easy hairstyles. Maybe drop in to your local chemist to have a look at clips & claws etc.

Effic · 30/05/2014 17:05

The big teeth clip things are great but........do you mind me suggesting that her going on PGL with 'no friends' isn't great?! Presuming she is not sleeping in a room on her own, she must be in a dorm with other children. I would have a chat to her teacher about what the staff can do help the girls in the dorm include your girl in their social group - helping her do her hair is a great starting point. This is should a fun experience for her! Make sure she has some sweets for the midnight feasts too!

Revised · 30/05/2014 17:11

IME Effic, most of the other children whilst not being her "friends" will understand that she's different (apologies if that's the wrong word) and treat her kindly, even if they don't become close friends.

The teachers will have spent al lot of time considering friendship groups and personalities when they put the rooms together and it's very likely that there will be someone in her room who would help with her hair. The experience will be great for OP's daughter and for the other children.

Would a baseball cap work - she can poke the hair through the hole at the back?

momb · 30/05/2014 17:12

Alice band? would get hair off her face but still work even if it's not brushed particulalry well.

HappyMummyOfOne · 30/05/2014 17:16

Don't stress, just mention it to the teacher. It will be fine. Lots ask for help with hair and the girls may play hairdressers between themselves.

Quejica · 30/05/2014 17:29

When my daughter was this age I put her hair into about 25 tiny plaits (to half way back across her head then loose plaits). It still looked brilliant when they returned 4 days later and she hadn't had to touch it.

Original poster

TheUnburnt · 30/05/2014 18:02

Lots of different ideas there, thanks. Putting in more practice between now and the middle of June. The baseball cap idea is a good one as she loves wearing baseball caps.

OP posts:

insanityscatching · 30/05/2014 18:21

Dd with ASD has been on three residentials with her school and they have been very careful when placing her with other children and they have helped out if needed (putting on duvet covers is dd's nemesis) As for her hair a quiet word with her teacher and asking that she has bands round her wrist to tie up any loose hair "for health and safety" before activities should be enough. I know dd's teacher tied up her hair before abseiling.

Nocomet · 30/05/2014 19:39

Lying over the end of the bed so your hair more or less falls into a pony tail and a velour a scrunchy (doesn't tangle or hurt going in or coming out) is the easiest pony tail of all.

Nocomet · 30/05/2014 19:43

Stick scrunchy round left wrist, grab hair with left hand, pull scrunchy over and twist back once or twice.

Reverse if left handed.

If you muck it up you still end up with a messy bun that stays out the way.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 30/05/2014 19:47

Baseball cap may not work as she'll need to take it off to put helmets on. I would imagine teachers/PGL staff would help though - its only a pony tail not a French plait.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 30/05/2014 19:51

Oh and high pony tails won't work either - it really needs to be tied at the nape of the neck. And she will have to have it tied back for a lot of the activities.

seasalty50 · 30/05/2014 19:56

Ponytail and some down? Slide index fingers from temple over ears and tie up that bit? Stops hair getting in face but less complicated.

wtffgs · 30/05/2014 20:01

Don't know about PGL but as an HLTA I would have no problems helping a child like your daughter, if she needs/wants help (unless she does a banshee scream like DD ).

Jenijena · 30/05/2014 20:06

What about a slide and a low ponytail? I used to do that a lot as a child and it was v easy.

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 30/05/2014 21:46

I worked for PGL for a few summers while I was a student....I loved helping little girls do their hair and things like that! In fact, the children generally LOVE their PGL group leaders, I remember having a queue of girls wanting their hair done sometimes, playing hairdressers! :) just let the teachers / staff know and I'm sure they will happily and tactfully ask if she wants some help when needed if they are aware!

Or would she wear a wide stretchy headband? Easy to put in, keeps hair right away from your face and ears! Depends how fashion conscious she is I suppose!

Flip