subject: Hair Cuts for Children - How to Get Your Child to Visit the Salon? [print this page] Hair Cuts for Children - How to Get Your Child to Visit the Salon?
There is nothing children detest more than getting a hair cut. Calvin and Hobbes, the famous comic strip by Bill Waterson, dedicated several strips to this very activity, encapsulating the almost universal dislike children have for salon visits. So what can you do as a parent when the time comes for your child to get a trim?
Small children are usually scared of salon visits because of the omnious feelings associated with razors, blades, and scissors. The key thing, therefore, is to gain the trust of your child that he/she will be under no threat of harm whatsoever while getting a hair cut. Of course, this is far easier said than done.
The first step should be take your child's fears and concerns seriously. I know it is very tempting to brush them aside as just "children's fears", but by showing interest and attempting to understand your child and his fear, you would establish greater trust between you and him/her.
Next, start with the salon itself. It is never a great idea to take a child to a salon frequented largely by adults - it represents a world that is alien to the child. Nowadays, in most major cities, there are a growing number of salons dedicated solely to children. These salons typically have cartoon motifs and murals, and have a warm, inviting atmosphere that can not only captivate a child's attention, but also lead him or her to feel more comfortable and safer. Moreover, stylists at such salons are usually well versed in cutting children's hair. Seeing other children getting hair cuts will definitely boost your child's confidence.
It is also a good idea to promise your child a treat or a reward. Make sure that it is something he or she likes, but at the same time, its not something of high value. Further, use this technique only as a last reserve - you don't want your child to associate salon visits with rewards.
Try to make salon visits more frequent and regular. Often, I see parents marching off to the barber within gaps of 4-6 months - even for boys. Such a long gap will erase all sense of familiarity with the entire process of getting a hair cut. Monthly or bi-monthly visits will ensure that your child not only becomes habitual to the idea of getting a hair cut, but also understands it as a ritual that must be performed religiously.
Getting a child to the hair salon is a tricky prospect, but it is a procedure that can't really be ignored. You can try cutting hair at home, but you can be quite sure that you will never be able to do as good a job as a trained stylist (and your child will certainly resent you for it!). The earlier you can get your child habituated to regular salon visits, the better.
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