How Can I Prevent Tantrums In My Toddler When He Is Getting His Hair Cut?

Wouldn’t it be great to take your toddler to the hair salon and have a nice, easy cut? Instead, most parents take their toddlers to the hair salon anticipating a meltdown and feeling anxious the entire time. It is completely normal for toddlers to act up and not want to sit still, and others are simply afraid of what the stylist is doing to them. The best thing you can do is figure out why your toddler acts up at the salon. Sure, this could take some time, but it is worth it because it will allow you to prevent it in the future. If your child is afraid of the salon or the scissors, then you can explain they won’t be hurt and that they are just getting their hair styled. Try to avoid saying â€œcutâ€ because they associate this with pain. Although they don’t feel any pain they spend the entire time waiting for it to happen and that can cause an anxious, crying, scene-causing toddler! Here are a few things that may help ease the sea of emotion at the hair salon.

Distraction

Try distracting your toddler. Talk to them about what is going on outside or show them something in your purse. Consider taking along something new and interesting to share with your toddler during the haircut. You may even go to the library and pick out a new book that you will read while you are at the salon. Once your toddler is lost in story land the stylist can quickly trim the edges and you will be out of there!

Treat

Some kids respond well to treats. Give your toddler a sucker to suck on during their haircut. They may be so excited over the prospect of a sucker that they completely forget about having their hair cut. The point is to give it to them before the hair cut so they can enjoy it and distract themselves. Asking a toddler to behave during the hair cut so they will receive the sucker afterwards rarely works because young kids don’t get this logic.

Movie

Take a portable DVD player along with you and pop in your child’s favorite DVD. They will be enjoying the action so much they will completely forget about their hair being styled!

These are just a few ways you can get your toddler to behave the next time you go to the hair salon. If they still won’t behave then schedule an appointment early in the morning during the middle of the week so you will at least be the only people there and won’t have to endure the stares of all the other moms!

Posted in Toddler Time