My son has started getting hysterical when we take him to the barber shop to get his hair cut. He has been going since he was 6 months old (I started cutting it at 3 wks), because his hair grows down into a widow's peak that drives me nuts- he looks like Eddie Munster. I've tried different hairstylist, different salons and same result - I pay $20 (cut plus huge tip!) and still have to trim it myself while his daddy holds him and he screams.
So - Mamas - I need advice - should I cut at home, how should I distract him?
Also, he resists getting his hair washed because he doesn't like for water (yes, water) to get near his eyes. I'm down to washing his hair about once a week - but with summer coming and playing outdoors more, that's got to change. Any tips?!?
For the washing dilemma there is a neat bath cup at walmart and toys r'us that has a rubber like shield to pour it back over the head without it pouring over his eyes . . . my daughters had the same issue; they love this cup. Basically it looks like a cup cut in half with a rubber piece on one side. Hopefully you will like it, the name sticker has washed off so I can't give you the exact name. Sorry, and Good Luck!
If the pitcher doesn't work, you could try a kid's visor to keep the water out of his eyes. Is he afraid of the scissors, or is it electric clippers? Maybe you can let him watch his favorite movie while you cut his hair? If you need to dampen his hair for cutting, just use a spray bottle. Also, if he's playing outside in the summer heat, you could always "hose him off" outside :) Just throw in some shampoo, and voila! Also, another idea, get him a doll (a boy doll with hair if they make one), and let him cut the doll's hair so he sees there's nothing to be scared of.
Have you tried having him lay down in the tub to wet his hair, my daughter prefers that-she also has to have a wash cloth over her eyes and I tell her to close them real tight and don't let the water in (like a game.) I've also heard of hanging something (an airplane, birds, etc) above the bathtub and have him look at the airplane while you wet his hair. I also think this summer you could wash his hair in the kiddie pool-do the whole bath in there just before it's time to go in (since you will be washing the sunscreen off) I think that sounds like fun I may try that with my girls!
As for the hair cutting...I told my daughter the first time I took her "mommy is going to sit in a big chair and get her hair cut, then Cassidy will sit in the big chair and get hers cut too." She was 23 months old, and she loved it, and still does, but I know lots of kids who hate it and scream the whole time
If you can find one get a shampoo shield like i got for my children. It looks like a duck beak in front but it may come in different colors besides yellow. It has a black elastic band on the back and it goes around their head so that the water runs off of the shield and gets no where near their eyes and that stopped all of the fussiness in my household about hair washing time.
I used swimming goggles with my boy and the barber I don't know one day we went in and he just sat there. He had been hard to control but he did great. Now I cut his and his fathers at home and he is bad at not sitting still but he has a tickel spot. by the way has he had his hair done with his father? That can change it. If he sees his father getting a cut first. just a thought hope it helps.
