Tips to Make Your Child's Trip to the Hairstylist a Success

With a little common sense, taking your child to the beauty salon doesn't have to be a nightmare.

Have you ever been to the salon, innocently getting your hair done as the five-year old beside you wails as a frantic mother and distraught hairstylist try to hold him long enough to get his hair cut? I've seen it. I have a five-year old and luckily she thinks getting a haircut is cool, but what about those who have children who are terrified to get one? Some simple strategies can make the experience a lot more pleasant.

If your child is scared of the stylist or even if it's his first time, consider taking him a few days before his appointment just to watch. If you are lucky enough to catch a calm child getting their hair cut, great. If not, even seeing adults get their haircut will instill in the child that the stylist isn't a monster out to get him. Sit outside the salon and talk to your child about what's happening to the people getting their haircut.

Don't hide the appointment from your child. Let him know he has an appointment. Change the focus from the haircut part of it by telling your child that he can pick a favorite snack and one toy to take to hold. Make choosing the said toy a fun event in which all options are considered.

Your child should be completely comfortable for the appointment. This means absolutely do not skip a meal for the appointment or a nap for that matter. This will help ensure that your child will be in a good mood, making for the best possible chance of success.

Take into consideration what you are going to be asking the stylist to do. If you know your child is scared of getting haircuts, picking a simple style is going to be your best bet. Expecting a stylist to perform a precise haircut on a crying child is sure to lead to disappointment. Take your child's behavior into consideration and act accordingly. Choose a hairstyle that will be easy and know what you want before you get there. Chitchatting about different styles with the stylist is just going to give your child more of a chance to get antsy.

Don't forget the snack and toy (books are great) on appointment day and do not arrive too early. This is another opportunity for your child to become more nervous. It also wouldn't hurt to let the stylist know if your child has fears of haircuts.

Once your child is in the chair, stay nearby. Tell stories, sing a song, read a book to them., anything to keep their mind off what's happening. If your child is getting upset, but not throwing a fit, don't feel bad about asking the stylist to give your child a minute to calm down.

If all fails, there's no shame in giving up; Even if only half your child's hair is cut. (You can fix it the best you can when your child is asleep at home.) As bad as that would stink, you have to keep your child's safety in mind. After all, he's got scissors by his head and no haircut is worth getting injured for.