HELP!!! My Very Active 2 1/2 Year Old Son Needs a Haircut!!!

have you tried Snip Its? they have a video in front that can get the child distracted. and they have lollipops, cookies, bubbles, that child can hold on to.

Hi J.,
When my guys were little I brought a bigger size lollipop and a glass to fill with water. my son would have the lolipop to eat, and then if it got too hairy, he would dip it in the water. The best part was dipping it in the water. He had a bit of a hairy beard when he was done, but nothing a wet wipe couldn't fix!
Good luck

My little 22 month old can't sit still for more than a 1/2 minute. I was able to get help in cutting her hair via my mother. I was keeping her occupied while my Mom cut her hair in the back and her bangs with a sharp pair of scissors. Do you know if the noise from the razor is causing him grief or if he got knicked the last time he got a haircut? If you're looking to do a small haircut where you might be able to do it at home that would probably be for the best since he trusts you.

I dont know if this will post twice. I lost what I had written.

First off, perhaps take him to a barber who specializes in cuts for men and boys.

Maybe get him a buzz cut, that will reduce the risk of him getting nipped with the siccors. It will also be so short that you wont have to go again for a while, and it is a good cut if you are concerned about ticks.

Perhaps have him sit in your lap, to help hold him still. Or sit beside him and read him a book. If you are desparate, bring a portable DVD player and let him watch a movie if they dont have tv.

Offer him a reward if he sits nice for a cut, take him out to lunch, buy him a small special toy, or take him to the park afterwards.

Maybe even have his dad take him for the cut, and he could get a cut at the same time to see how other people do it.

I know we have a buzzer here, my husband does his hair, but I still take my son to the barber to have his done, if all else fails, maybe you could purchase a buzzer at home and do it yourself?
Hope this helps some...

Hi.. I am a haidresser. and this is sooooo normal...1st, find a salon that's kid friendly,2nd find a hairdresser that is comfortable with kids. I have been doing hair for 24 years and I have had my share "crying screaming" kids...you have to go with the flow.... have toys that they can sit with, be willing to kneel on the floor and cut with them standing,use towels instead of a cape... I have my own salon now, in my home, and it's much easier, I have a small tv that gets no channels, but I have a variety of kid friendly dvds they can watch while getting a harcut.. I let the children hold their own comb, squirt the water bottle at mom/dad/sibling...whatever works...but most of all, know that this is just a stage, it will get better! Just find an ultra patient hairdresser... and hope for the best! It may not be the most perfect haircut... but it will serve it's purpose! Best of luck!!!!! T.

Two thoughts. The first is Snip-Its. My daughter is so focused on the movie and the lollipop that she nearly forgets the haircut. You can usually get store coupons online. Another idea would be have your son and his dad go on a "boys trip to the barber" where they both get haircuts. Or maybe just dad. Sometimes it helps to see someone else go through the process without the pressure of "being next." An special outing with dad is usually a treat too. Whichever you decide, make sure sure he feels good after the haircut. Say how great he looks (even if he doesn't)! That confidence boost will help make him want to go back again. Good luck.

the first time my daughter had a haircut I did it myself in the highchair. She really screamed, but was ok by the second time. I found that giving her a snack while he hair is being cut really works

Hi- I recently took my 2.5 yo son for a haircut at a kids and mens salon, in Burlington VT where we live, called Big League Haircutters. He's always hated haircuts- but he loves balls, baseball esp.- it worked pretty well. They had a TV at the chair and I gave him a treat- I know, I know....it was worth it.

Good Luck!

hi J.,
giving my son a lolipop while getting his haircut always works for us. he get a little hair on it, but it's SOOOOO worth it!

The same thing happened with my oldest son when he turned 2. We ended up doing his haircuts at home. It wasn't worth his anxiety or the stylist's. No amount of bribery or having him sit on my lap, any other trick that we could think of would help. We purchased a set of clippers (they even have them for kids) and now do all three kids at home. Saves a ton of money too.

I took my child to a place kingdom cuts on the bellingham franklin line. They only take in children. They were great child friendly place.

Have you tried having him sit on your lap. My daughter is the same way and she sits on my lap when it's time for the dreaded haircut.

Buy a clipper and let him "help" give himself a buzz cut. When my son was that age, I took him to one of the barbers in town - we lived near a military base, and they could whip out a high and tight in less than 3 minutes. My son was very proud of the way he could get his hair cut "like reg'lar guys". I'd get him a cut every 2 months or so. It was always a treat to go, and his barber didn't go for candy or anything, just stressed how "big" the little guys were - asked about muscles, would let them win arm wrestling contests, had them get into the chair themselves. The only consideration he made was that younger customers always got the next available turn. After the haircut, he always got a bit of aftershave and a handshake. After the first time, he never wanted me to come with him - and informed me that he wasn't a baby! I stayed in the very visible waiting area, and was a little sad to see I really wasn't needed.

have you tried Snipits?? They know a few tricks to get the job done

Have you tried Snip-It's? They have toys and things to look at in the waiting room and then a little movie/lollipops/crackers/bubbles to distract during the haircut. I actually don't have any *real* advice as my son is exactly the same way (if not, worse!)... but the things we have tried were taking him to the kids salons, if anything- the stylists are used to that type of behavior there, but when he was a little younger I could get away with bribes to get him in the chair (after your haircut, we can go get a smoothie, etc.!). My son is 3 now, and I long for the day we can just walk into the barber and get through a quick haircut without screaming, tears, kicking, etc. UGH. My sympathies!

We have brought our portable DVD player, which the hair dresser has since started recommending to her clients! If you have one, I would suggest really playing up the haircut idea and maybe going to Target to let him pick out his own special show to watch that day... I hate to suggest TV as a fixter, but we all know that kids tend to go limp when transfixed by the tube :)

I also bring along my camera, which has recorded mini movies of family on it, and we use that to get my daughter to look down, etc. She has gone from fighting the idea of a haircut to excitedly pointing out the "haircut place" when we drive by it, as if it were an amusement park :)

Good luck and try not to stress too much. This, too, shall pass :)

L.

Learn to do it yourself, the at home kit costs about $40.00 and it is worth every penny....... Cut his hair out in the backyard or in your cellar where he can scream as loud as he wants, i am very sure that/ that tone will be down in no time.

good luck to you

J., I am generally against bribing kids with food. However even before my son had his first professional haircut we would give him a sucker/lollipop when we were cutting his hair. So when we went in for his first real haircut we took a lollipop with us. HE knows the hairdresser because she is the same woman who cuts my husband and my hair. But he HATES loud noises so it was a scary place for him. He is now 4 and doesn't mind getting his haircut at all but he still has his lollipop (almost) every time. He even is letting her use the clippers which is a huge deal because of the noise. My son never eats candy so the lollipop is a really special. For some reason we have never had a problem with getting hair on the lollipop. Of course, we still did all the explaining of what happens and who does what and why etc. I used to stand right there with him and talked to him to distract him. I definitely think that he feeds off my emotions. When I model calm he is more calm.

This wouldn't work for everyone but it works for us. I hope this helps you come up with something that will work for you and your son.

Good luck!

We tried the salon cut with my stylist and with my husband's clippers at home and nothing worked with out the screaming and crying until we went to Salon Kids (Rayham and Mansfield) . They are online for info.
We were in and out in about 10 minutes and it was the best 15$ I spent. My son got to pick a duck out a fish pond (real one inthe store) and tell us the number and then pick a toy from that bin number. He was in heaven....toys, fish, and numbers. THey get to watch a movie on the DVD screen at their station and mom can blow bubbles with him. To top it off they had a puppy visiting too!!
I have been back and still agree....SO WORTH IT. I hated the screaming!!

Have you tried Snip-It's? they are in a few places but it is for kids only and they have cartoons on T.V.'s and animal crackers and dum-dums for the kids..they have a safety belt on the chairs too. A cut can be like $16.00 but it is worth it to have all of the distractions.

We gave him a lollypop (messy, but kept him still) or some animal crackers. Good luck!

Hi, I am a hairdresser who has had many young children in my chair. The trick is .. try to have someone cut his hair NOT in the chair. I once took a child outside to sit on the lawn with my water bottle , spraying as much as he pleased while I deftly combed and cut his hair. Always with my hand between him and the scissors. I got his trust. It can work in the shop too, but favorite distractions, songs or a DVD may work. Electric clippers? They may scare him, until he gets through this phase.

where do you live? We just took my daughter for her very first haircut yesterday, and it went PERFECT. We took her to Snip It's in Nashua, NH. It's about an hour drive for us, but it was well worth it. It's an all kids place, they have snacks, bubbles, prizes, a movie. All kinds of things to keep the child occupied. Maybe you could check it out and get a better experience! Good luck. Here is the site..
www.snipits.com

Do you have a hair salon near you called Snip-its? It specializes in young children.

My son also has a extremely difficult time with haircuts, which started around 18 months. A couple of things that have really helped us. I purchased a travel haircut kit from Costco - not to do it myself but to use it as a "practice/fun" time. It came with a instructional DVD (to show the happy kids getting a cut), a cape, basically serves as a getting familiar tool. I switched from a scissor cut to a buzz cut, it was so bad I felt the scissors were a bit dangerous. I started going to a kid-friendly place with a awesome lady, who can handle him. I signed up to make appointments, so no wait time, and it is same experience - he knows what to expect. As difficult as it is, I go every 10-12 weeks, from my experience, too long between didn't make things any easier. I've even taken him to see several family members, older cousins, Dad, Grandmother etc. to watch them, again showing a happy time. It has been a long road, but now he will climb up in the chair, take a lollipop, and maybe one or two tears - he is now 4!

Hi J.,
I had the same problem with my son when he was almost two. I tried the trendy kid places hoping the distractions would help, unfortunately it was worse. Then I happened into a Supercuts and met a wonderful young woman who took her time with my son and was so patient. At the time I wasn't giving my son regular juiceboxes yet, so that was a treat for him while he sat in the chair... kept his hands busy and he sat pretty still. It was also helpful that the hairdresser had me sit in the chair next to him, so I could kind of back off and he could see it wasn't a big deal. I think the most important part was the hairdresser was calm, confident and so very sweet to my son. She was so good we have followed her to her new location and have been going to her for the last 6 years! Good luck, hang in there...

Hi im a barber, some kids just dont like haircuts, the cutter has to be comfortable with children, they can sense tension. Bribery always works cookies crackers, let him bring a toy and hold it during the cut. Let him 'help' by combing his own hair. Just tlkk to him to calm him, sing a favorite song, just remember, dont be embarassed, it happens. Hope this helps.

Maybe he was tired or hungry when you took him. Try a morning appt. My son has watched the stylist cut my hair while in his stroller.
After breakfast, I usually keep my 26 month son in the high chair watching cartoons while keeping his hands busy with a book, toy or milk. I am able to wet and cut it myself near the waste basket with little fuss for 30-45 mins. since cartoons keep his attention. He knows what I am doing and if he is bored, will say "All done." That's my cue to wrap it up or fine tune the back later. I warn him when I am trimming around the ears so he won't move. Good Luck.

One thing that worked for us was letting my son have the spray bottle and let him do the spraying. It got a little messy and wet but it worked. My other son will do anything if he has smarties in his hand even though he usually has tears but the smarties keep his hands busy.

I'm not sure if this will work, but you could try giving him a popsicle to eat while his hair is cut, as long as the hair doesn't get into the popsicle. Perhaps you can hold the popsicle and have him take a few licks while he is getting his hair cut. This may get him to calm down long enough for someone to cut his hair. Let us know what you try!! good luck.

Snip Its is a wonderful place to go. I've never experienced the situation you're going through, thankfully my boys have both done wonderfully in the salon chair, but snip its is great. They have little tv's & a computer game w/a mouse (which is really more for older kids) and they can blow bubbles.

Maybe try to bring a small bottle of bubbles to blow while he sits & gets his hair cut even if you don't go to snip-its. Maybe try reading him a book? One particularly about getting a hair cut? Let him suck on a lollipop while he's getting it done.

Let him bring a special stuffed animal or a blanket maybe - something that will bring comfort. Maybe sing a song while he gets it done?

Worst case senario, you'll have to sit him on your lap & cross your leg over his legs to prevent kicking & wrap one of your arms over his two arms to prevent hitting, and just deal with the screaming until it's done. That's how the nurses have us hold our children during immunizations. You're not hurting them, you're just restraining them until it's over - preventing them from really getting hurt or hurting someone else.

And when it's done you tell him that you're sure he didn't like the way you had to hold him, and that if he'd just relax & calm down, you wont' have to do that again. I know he's still small, but that worked for me during my oldest son's immunizations. I know it's a different situation, but that's the only time my boys will ever scream & kick like that.

I'm trying here for you - I hope one of these things help you out. Good luck -- and remember just take a deep breath, you're doing fine. Parenting is a HARD job - THE hardest job there is. It just sounds like he's scared ... try a more comforting route. Maybe even find a relative he likes who knows how to cut hair & let them give it a try. Trust is a huge issue with kids too.

Again Good luck & God Bless.
C. B

Well, you may not agree with my response, but if worse comes to worse, give him a crew cut. Kids go thru stages & whatever it may be bathes, haircuts, getting dressed, etc. One day they're fine with it, the next they hate it. You can try bribing him,most kids that young dont reason well yet. So get a crew cut, it has all summer to grow out, & not such an issue checking his hair for ticks! :) Good luck.

My son is 2 1/2, he's ok duringhair cuts but has limited patience. 1st it is worth your while to find someone super comfortable with giving a quick hair cut to a kid. We found someone one who could do it in like 7 minutes, but we payed almost $20 for the cut. To me, it was totally worth it! Also, we try and let my son have something special to keep him calm & occupied, like a lolipop (he doesn't really get them any other time).

Have you tried Snip it's? It's a place for kids and they play a movie and give them animal crackers and the best part they strap them into the seat so they aren't going to fall out!

I see some have mentioned snipits in Nashua. Beware, it is good for girls, with long hair, but for boys,they only do buzz cuts well, which you could do yourself. One girl can "cut" with scissors on the boys, but sooooo not worth it if you get the wrong girl. Some snipits are great, but that one, I wouldn't go if they gave me free coupons, which they did, because YES IT WAS THAT BAD.
I use JC Penney at the mall, who knew, and Erica was good with skateboard cuts. I have been to three of the stylists there, one for each son, and now hubby goes too. I never knew it was there a month ago, now it seems we live there. I found them by asking kids mom's whose hair I liked where they got it done, and who did it.
Good luck,
D.

I'm a hairdresser- and I just buzz my 2.5 yr old's hair with clippers. You can get a nice, inexpensive set at Sally Beauty Supply (the public can buy there). If you don't like that option- bring a portable DVD player and his favorite DVD with you next time. But, I would just shave it. You can shampoo it easier- in the summer- you just slap some sunscreen on it. YOu can find ticks easy, too. My son looks super cute with it. Then, in the fall when he needs more hair for warmth- tackle the haircut issue then, when it grows in.

Hmmmm:) It occurs to me that you 'providing prediction' would be helpful in this situation. To eliminate the anxiety around the 'unknown' here, consider providing a 'picture story' for your son. Once done, you can place it on the fridge for him to refer independently to ask questions intermittently throughout the weeks ahead of his next appointment. Your picture story could be actual shots of your hairdressers shop, your hairdresser, the chair, the equipment used, the mirror, the lollipop, perhaps a favorite book you will read to him while his hair is being cut, him sitting in the 'big boy chair, (without getting his hair cut), ...get the picture?:)...haha literally, I guess I'm asking. I believe all his anxiousness and fear of the unknown will dissolve once it is acknowledged and addressed and he is given 'time and space' to process the event. Good luck J. and I sense he will have a great time at the hairdressers' next time around! Can't wait to hear from you to tell us all what fun he had:) Be Peace, Nzcole

Hi J.,
I hear ya. I have a 22 mo old but so far (knock on wood) he will sit for a hair cut. He might cry a little by the end but usually it goes ok.... I have heard of snipits that is a kids hair cutting place. You can check them out at www.snipits.com maybe there is one near you that could help.
Hope that works.
Ps. my son had a tick on him last night we had to pull out with tweezers!
Bonnie