Gransnet forums

Chat

Children having haircuts

(64 Posts)
welbeck Thu 08-Sept-22 14:23:52

why force something totally unnecessary if it causes such angst.
it's not like a medical procedure.
just tie it back or up in a top knot or hairband, like the footballers.
i think it's so important that children can totally trust their parents.
then if something unpleasant really has to be done, they know it is absolutely necessary otherwise their parents would not insist. that helps them face things.

Blondiescot Thu 08-Sept-22 12:33:57

Nothing wrong with that whatsoever, Baggs.

Baggs Thu 08-Sept-22 12:32:39

Some good suggestions on here but I would also say just leave it. Why shouldn't boys have long hair? It even used to be fashionable in times past.

Blondiescot Thu 08-Sept-22 10:29:24

Ask on the likes of Facebook on your local residents' group or forum for recommendations. We have a really good barber near us who has a little Mini car (just like the real thing) which the children can sit in to get their hair cut. My grandson literally cannot sit still for 30 seconds, but he will sit in that while he gets his hair cut.
At my work, where there are many children with autism, we found it very helpful to get the pretend play hairdresser and barber kits out and let the children play with them, just to get used to the type of things which are used in a salon.

Georgesgran Thu 08-Sept-22 10:25:21

My DGSs both go to salons where they sit in sports cars and watch cartoons while their hair is cut - DGS2 had his first cut just after his 1st birthday with no fuss.
GSM’s idea of going to a barber and watching others having their hair cut (without him having his cut) is a good suggestion, or perhaps find somewhere that specializes in cutting childrens’ hair - I know these exist.

SusieB50 Thu 08-Sept-22 10:22:20

My youngest grandson now 6 had wonderful curly locks that DD didn’t want to cut off . She trimmed it every now and then and eventually when he did get it done professionally little 3 year old GS cried and cried during the whole procedure. So it was left for ages again. When he started school once back after Covid , the first thing he did was to demand to have a “big haircut” so SiL took him to the barbers dreading the scene there might be ! SiL had hair cut first and then GS leapt onto the chair with delight . He now spends ages in front of the mirror “styling” his hair before school !

Oopsadaisy1 Thu 08-Sept-22 09:59:56

MasterOops was the same when he was about 3 he sobbed and said it hurt!
I have a great nephew who has waist length hair and is adamant that he isn’t getting it cut - he is 8! (Lovely thick blonde hair) I’m not sure that I would have let it go, but I’m not his parents.

Farmor15 Thu 08-Sept-22 09:57:46

Does the school require short hair? My older grandson (5) liked his hair quite long - made him look like a girl! However, when he started getting teased about it he agreed to get it cut a bit - not very short, nowhere near ears.

I used to cut my children's hair myself - when small I would stand them on a stool at sink and let them play with water - while distracted I could snip away. However, that only works when quite small!

Nannarose Thu 08-Sept-22 09:53:47

If he's happy with his hair now, I wouldn't get too worried.
I would say generally every so often 'Oh I like your friend's hairdo, I wonder who does it for him?' (note avoidance of word 'cut')

My younger GSs go to a place where they sit in a 'sports car' watch cartoons and have their hair 'done'. Long waiting list!

I'd also like to add that when I was little I went to a fantastic dentist (a refugee from Hitler) and a horrible hairdresser (great friend of my mum). They still influence how I feel about having those appointments!

Jaxjacky Thu 08-Sept-22 09:48:09

If it’s causing that amount of distress I’d just leave it, children have all sorts of hair length now.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 08-Sept-22 09:46:30

I wonder if it would help if he was taken to the barber ‘like the big boys’ and could watch chaps happily getting their hair cut before his turn came? I think that after the initial hugely embarrassing fuss that might have been what got rid of my son’s fear.

Galaxy Thu 08-Sept-22 09:45:33

My son was the same, the only advice I can give is find a patient hairdresser. Ours was brilliant at building arelationship with him, and I knew she wasnt stressed by it which helped. He had to sit on my knee and be held basically. He grew out of it but it wasnt much fun.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 08-Sept-22 09:24:29

My son was like this when very young but grew out of it, certainly well before he went to school. It seemed he thought part of him was being cut off, there was of course no pain. My Mum was good at snipping some off. Going to the barber was horribly embarrassing. I’m afraid I have no suggestions beyond perseverance and a little treat for being a good boy. It is awful isn’t it? Very distressing.

MattDanNana Thu 08-Sept-22 09:12:31

My gs started school today. He has always hated having his hair cut, says it hurts (sensitive round ears?) He starts to cry the moment the hairdresser comes in and ends up sobbing and distraught which is stressful for all. Yesterday the hairdresser had to give up after just a few snips, have also tried clippers but that was no better. Any sensible suggestions, we are all put of ideas, have tried all sorts!