Whether it’s their very first haircut or just their regular much needed trim, DON’T FORCE IT! You are traumatizing that poor child when all they want is to have long luxurious locks!! Haha!
I have been a hairdresser for 7 years now. One important thing I have observed is children’s attitudes when its time for their cut. Kids should never be forced into having a haircut. Especially for their first haircut!!!
If you force a child to have a haircut for the first time and there is crying and snot and tears involved, you are going to traumatize that poor little turd! Make sure for the very first haircut that you do not have to hold their head or bribe them the entire time. If you feel like you are getting stressed out, your kid is TOO!! If the only thing they relate to having a haircut is torture, you are never going to have a pleasant experience even when it comes to the slightest trim.
Before their first haircut, talk to them... explain to them that it won’t hurt and they will look totally awesome when it’s done. With my oldest, I have to make sure he knows how much the ‘ladies’ will like his new doo. If you get down on their level and talk them into getting a haircut, hopefully their first experience will be enjoyable. If their FIRST haircut experience is pleasant, they always will be. Don’t force your child to get a haircut. Just let them be who they want to be… If you make their haircut experience pleasant and enjoyable, they will make YOUR experience the same.
Some tips when getting A FIRST HAIRCUT that may help at the salon/barber:
~Bring kiddo a change of clothes for the occassion. You might want to bring some sort of small plastic baggy and a camera. Bring someone else along with you who can take pictures while you help your little one stay focused and behaved. However, DO NOT bring every one of your friends and family plus their significant others. All you are doing is aggrivating your stylist as well as your child.
~Make sure you go to the right stylist/barber! If you have your own trustworthy stylist, go to them. If you have a friend or relative that is familiar to your child, go to them. Ask other mommy friends if they can refer you to someone. Otherwise, ask when you go into the salon if you can have someone who is good with kids and/or first haircuts. There are also places specifically geared towards kids. Trust me, children can sense a trustworthy stylist. I think they just have an instinct and can tell who is or isn't discouraged by doing a kids haircut. I LOVE doing kids haircuts... but I know some stylists would just prefer not to. You may feel awkward about asking a question like "who's good?", but who cares what anyone else thinks! You want it done right the first time! Your job is to attempt to make your kid's first haircut wonderful! (Or at least semi-ok?!)
~Encourage your child to sit in the salon chair by his/herself. (They will usually give them a booster seat if needed.) If they won't sit by themselves, have them sit on your lap. The stylist should put a cape around both of you. (Having another individual to take pics comes in handy here too.) Just try to keep your wiggle worm still without force. The aforementioned 'change of clothes' is in case your kid won't wear a cape... or has yanked it off of, or just so they're not itchy afterwards.
~Ask the stylist to try and save you some of the longest pieces of hair. Most people want to save the first cut locks in a scrapbook or something. This is what the plastic baggy will come in handy for.
~Let your kid know that if they behave, they will be rewarded at the end. Bribery is a wonderful tool. Some shops have lollipops for them.
~Have them face the mirror, they ALL like to look at themselves.
~Stay calm, keep them focused and entertained. Good luck!
Some tips when getting A FIRST HAIRCUT that may help at the salon/barber:
~Bring kiddo a change of clothes for the occassion. You might want to bring some sort of small plastic baggy and a camera. Bring someone else along with you who can take pictures while you help your little one stay focused and behaved. However, DO NOT bring every one of your friends and family plus their significant others. All you are doing is aggrivating your stylist as well as your child.
~Make sure you go to the right stylist/barber! If you have your own trustworthy stylist, go to them. If you have a friend or relative that is familiar to your child, go to them. Ask other mommy friends if they can refer you to someone. Otherwise, ask when you go into the salon if you can have someone who is good with kids and/or first haircuts. There are also places specifically geared towards kids. Trust me, children can sense a trustworthy stylist. I think they just have an instinct and can tell who is or isn't discouraged by doing a kids haircut. I LOVE doing kids haircuts... but I know some stylists would just prefer not to. You may feel awkward about asking a question like "who's good?", but who cares what anyone else thinks! You want it done right the first time! Your job is to attempt to make your kid's first haircut wonderful! (Or at least semi-ok?!)
~Encourage your child to sit in the salon chair by his/herself. (They will usually give them a booster seat if needed.) If they won't sit by themselves, have them sit on your lap. The stylist should put a cape around both of you. (Having another individual to take pics comes in handy here too.) Just try to keep your wiggle worm still without force. The aforementioned 'change of clothes' is in case your kid won't wear a cape... or has yanked it off of, or just so they're not itchy afterwards.
~Ask the stylist to try and save you some of the longest pieces of hair. Most people want to save the first cut locks in a scrapbook or something. This is what the plastic baggy will come in handy for.
~Let your kid know that if they behave, they will be rewarded at the end. Bribery is a wonderful tool. Some shops have lollipops for them.
~Have them face the mirror, they ALL like to look at themselves.
~Stay calm, keep them focused and entertained. Good luck!
* Brody's first haircut *
No comments:
Post a Comment