O.K just looking for some tips. My son is 4 years old and acts like a crazy man when it comes to cutting his hair, to the point i get very upset and then emotional afterwards. He has always been this way but as he grows older it is getting worse i had to quit taking him to the hair salon he literally gets so upset he vomits in the chair. I went to beauty school and and have everything i need here so i cut it for him "those poor ladys is all i have to say". Now i have to completely clipper cut his whole head with 2 attachments, it's cute when i'm finished but god it's so draining to me. i have gave rewards and everything..Any suggestions!!!! oh i also cut a thomas the tank (his favorite) pillowcase and use that for his cover up from the hair falling on him .. HELP!
My daughter is the same way when it comes to me or a salon cutting her hair. I know it sounds weird - but what has worked for me lately is giving her a sucker while she get her hair cut. Sometimes when I do it at home, I'll put in a movie. It works most of the time!! :)
Hope this helps, good luck!
- A. C.
Sounds like he has a sensory issue with the hair cut...not uncommon AT ALL>
My son has it too and I will tell you we have retired MANY barbers-----he's 4 also.
I have taken on the hair cuts here...it's crazy but he's getting much better cause it's me and there is a trust issue in additon to a sensory overload.
It could be the way it feels, sounds, texture......
Hang in there
have you tried cutting his hair while he's watching tv or a movie? eating a lollipop? how about letting him grow it out a little longer? a lot of little boys have that long 70's boys cut now. so maybe just trimming it up every now and then will be less stressful! good luck! it sounds very hard!
i was a hair dresser before a mom..i find doing it while mine are in the tub is easiest...i use to give a lolipop and until it gets on the candy it works well
My 4 year old son is like that too. We have just stopped cutting his hair for now. We are not sure what to do. I was just wondering if those Flowbees still existed - they are silly but it might to the trick!
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How about having him watch TV or a video? Someone may have suggested this already ... I can't figure out how to get to reponses unless I send one myself.
Read the book, "Sensational Kids" about kids who are very sensitive to certain stimuli, like haircuts. You can borrow the book from your library system.
Also, check out: http://www.spdnetwork.org/directory/#top
Hi S., I am a hairdresser of 25 years and here are my suggestions, get two of the dixie drink cups and let him hold them over his ears when you use the clippers. It gives him some control and you some time to clipper away. If you attach them with a string he can think they are a head set. Also the mp3 players or ipods with kids music has worked especially if you get the small earphones. Another great trick to get the back of his neck is for him to hold a new matchbox car under his chin to his chest until you are done and then repeat it with a new one under each ear to shoulder to get the opposite side of his ear and sideburns....total cost 3 bucks tops. I buy multi packs so it is even less. The cups have been a lifesaver.
Also let him stand in front of you and you sit in the chair. Wiggly is okay just make sure your guards are on tight. Good Luck These are also techniques I have used with all types of special needs children too.
Maybe you could find someone to come to your home and do it.. maybe have them trim your hair while he watches so he sees it is not painful at all..
I have a child who has had sensory issues that caused him to be a "crazy man" also when it came to hair cutting. I now put a towel as high up on his neck as I can making sure that no loose hair clippings get on his skin...that is usually what makes kids hate haircuts. I then have him lay face down with his belly over our high foot stool that goes with our glider. The foot stool is touching the side of the bathtube. He hangs his head over the bathtube. I quickly cut his hair with clippers and a 1/4 inch garde. The hair fall right into the bathtube and nothing falls on his skin. It has worked like a charm.
Maybe you could have one of his friends that is his own age sit with him while he's getting it cut. His friend could talk to him and give him encouragement.
