Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

Any advice?

My son's hair is out of control.

I've always buzzed it myself. He never necessarily liked it but at least we could get through it. The last time (months and months ago) it was unreal. I thought I scarred him for life the way he carried on and screamed and cried as if I was killing him.

What should I do? I want to take him to a real haircutter but I'm afraid of the scene that could erupt. Or I can just try and buzz it like I used to and listen to him scream? Or just let it continue to grow out of control?

HELP!

Anyone elses kid hate haircuts?

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

My DD hated haircuts up until this year. She is now 5 and loves to get it cut. She asks to go weekly lol. But before that she literally would scream and cry and I'd have to sit her on my lap holding her down. A nightmare.

Do you think the buzzer sound may be bothering him? DD can't hear the hair dryer as the sound scares her.

I would bring him but call up the place first and let them know he might scream and try to get an appointment at a slow time.

Good luck.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

YES! I know exactly what you are going through.

It got so bad that I started buzzing his hair at home. He screamed and cried like I was killing him. Little by little it got better.

A few months ago I got the courage to try the barber shop again. Well he's gone a few times and the last time he even sat in the kiddie chair the entire time! Don't get me wrong he still doesn't like it but we got through the last haircut without any tears or screaming. He needs to go again soon so I hope it continues.

What worked for us is I wouldn't let his hair get too long so I'd buzz it often. Finally I guess he realized it wasn't that bad of a thing.

HTH and good luck!

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

I never tried at home, I was afraid it would be too hard - my boy is STRONG.

We have tried a couple of places, and now we go to Zippity Doo in Merrick. They are really good with the kids, and they have VCRs at every chair, up and going usually when we arrive, so that distracts him. It's not cheap, but so worth it to me because they are better with him than the other places/stylists I have tried.

My DS won't wear the cape, so we have him cut in a white t-shirt and then bring a shirt for him to change into. He also flips out if they use the blow dryer, so I tell them that ahead of time. I also tell them he has special needs, so they are aware of it, but don't make a big deal out of it.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

The last two times has been a nightmare but we have muddled through. We have some ground rules though:

1. No cape...the sight of it freaks him out.
2. No buzzer...scissor cut all the way.
3. Two lollipops...one for each hand...the minute he sits in the chair. Yes, they get "hairy" but it keeps him quiet (for the most part) so I dont care.

I take him to kids cuts in centereach where they are used to dealing with kids and have portable DVD players and toys to distract him.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

If I were you I would just do it yourself. I bought my own buzzer and do it myself in front of the TV. No scissors required, and I do it quickly. I guess this doesn't work if your kid gets a scissor cut though. I would rather the crying and carrying on at home, then dealing with it at a place I actually have to pay for.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

Lisa if you feel like going to Ridgewood, try Rita's Snips for Pips . Just took DS there and it was great. He was the same as your DS, haircuts were getting borderline traumatic, he'd break out in hives from screaming and crying so loudly in the chair, we tried so many places and so many tricks. I found this place online it's right near me, she's been in business over 20 years and has experience with special needs kids. There's even a quiet room in the back for kids who need it, though DS didn't end up needing it even though I was sure he would. The guy who cut his hair was fantastic with him, he got to watch Thomas and there was another girl who stood in front of him and blew bubbles and sang songs to him, kept switching out toys to him to keep him distracted.

Did he LOVE it, of course not. But, there were ZERO tears and he even smiled at one point. Total success in my book and we'll definitely be going back. Make a morning or afternoon out of it and grab some lunch after on Ridgewood Ave.

Message edited 1/3/2012 9:01:28 PM.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I'm going to try and take him somewhere.

Ruby, I appreciate the rec. I really think I am going to take a ride there one of these days. I tried to do a quick search online and found some hits but couldn't find any reviews.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

Same here. I do it myself. Cries bloody murder.

We both deal in our own ways!

I hate cutting his hair.

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

We cut my DS's hair at home in the the booster seat with the TV on. One of us holds his hands and the other cuts. First we buzz and then we do the sicsor. It's not the best hair cut but we don't have any crying. My DS wouldn't be able to sit anywhere without being strapped in so I have been hesitant of the barber. Does anyone know of a hair salon in western suffolk, south shore that works with special needs kids?

Re: Haircuts for a child who HATES haircuts?

DS #1 was fine from 1 to 2 years old. After that he started not to like them, Now I bribe him with a dum dum lollipop and it works!!!! (thank you lord!)
Try bribing him with something that he really loves and see if that will help.