Yesterday I took my preschooler to get her hair cut. (Ugh!) Unfortunately, when we arrived at the salon the female stylist who usually trims my daughter’s locks was sick and we were shuffled off to another “hair technician.” (Double UGH!)
My daughter has always loathed getting her hair cut. She freaks out when the tiniest bit of hair comes into contact with her eyes, nose or mouth. Needless to say, the person who has the unenviable task of trimming her mane is often met with a squiggly, wiggly, contorting tot, who starts asking, “Are we done yet?” before the first snip is even made.
For a child who thrives on consistency as much as mine does, it’s best to stick with a single hair stylist that she is comfortable with… for the sake of all parties involved. I considered rescheduling the appointment and returning when our regular stylist had recovered from the flu, but the thought of my daughter spending another hot summer day as a sheepdog, greatly influenced my decision to stay.
And so it began… the whining, the moaning, the complaining, the tears… yeesh, you’d think a 30-something-year-old hair professional could keep it together better.
All kidding aside, watching uncomfortable “I-really-don’t-do-many-kids” hair stylist vs. squirmy “Get-me-outta-here” kid was painful, to say the least. At one point I did consider collecting my preschooler, exiting the salon and trying to salvage the cut on my own at home. After all, I reasoned, I couldn’t hack my daughter’s hair more than it already had been.
Alas, I sucked it up and told the hair stylist to “just trim it” and scheduled a follow-up (see: fix-it) appointment for early next month.
In the end, everyone survived. What’s more, the hair-raising incident inspired me to do research on home haircuts.
It’s all the rage now, yo!
Seriously, with the economy still in the dumpster and families looking for ways to cut back on expenses, many parents are channeling their inner Vidal Sassoon and setting up makeshift kiddie salons in their own homes.
If you are looking to cut costs by chopping your child’s hair yourself, then consider these helpful tips:
*When you are cutting a young child’s locks, choose a time of day when he or she is in a good mood. For toddlers and preschoolers that might be right after a meal or a nice long nap. Remember: Sharp scissors and a cranky child don’t mix!
*Sit the child on a stool or on the lap of another adult.
*Give the child a small toy or book to keep him occupied.
*Wet a comb or spray water directly onto the hair, and comb through the hair until it’s damp.
*Pull sections of hair between your fingers and gently cut below your fingers in a straight line, using your digits as a guide. (Tip: Start in the back and work your way around to the front – this may be less scary to a child than starting around the eyes or ears.)
*During the haircut praise your child for how good he is being and reassure him that you are almost done.
*When you are finished, brush away any stray hairs using a towel or a soft makeup brush.
*Have the child stand in front of you, so you can see if there are any corrections that need to be made.
Have you ever cut your child’s hair?
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