Toddler Haircuts – How To Make Them Less Traumatic

Starting at around 14 months (and in most cases lasting until the ages of 4 or 5) many children and toddlers find haircuts intolerable. Maybe because of those big, shiny scissors coming so close to their little lobes.

You’re right in thinking that forcibly restraining your toddler makes the situation worse. In fact, It is surprising that anyone can hold a toddler still long enough for those tender ears to remain unscathed. Along with the trauma of being pinned down while sharp scissors slash their way around their head, a child’s natural fear of haircuts can possibly become a phobia. If that happens, a picture or the mere thought of a haircut can frighten a toddler terribly.

Even if your toddler’s apprehension centres around an actual, imminent toddler haircut, the worst part of their fear isn’t those looming scissors, but the horrible panicky feeling of fear itself. That’s why you can never teach a toddler not to be afraid by frightening them even more. Every time you force your toddler to sit through their fear, you make it grow. The only haircut that will truly convince them that ‘there’s nothing to be afraid of’ is the haircut that doesn’t scare them.
For some toddlers, the formality of a trip to the hairdresser is what’s frightening: entering a strange, funny-smelling environment; getting teased and cooed over by everyone there; climbing into a large, odd-looking chair; and being wetted down and wrapped in plastic capes.

If you suspect this might be the case, try cutting your toddler’s hair at home while they sit on the floor and looks at something other than their own tense face in a mirror – their favourite video, perhaps, or a simple puzzle you’ve set up to distract them. If your toddlers fear is really focused on those scissors, try substituting clippers or a pair of bright, funky scissors instead. Having a friend or sibling nearby can also help put your toddler at ease. My local hairdresser often wedges two toddlers in the chair together and alternates snips and comic asides. It gets the job done, even if not perfect.
When you do what you can to make toddler haircuts as pleasant as possible, your toddler will see that you’re on their side. Once that happens, they may even surprise you by exercising startling self-control. When they do, though, don’t push it – four snips without tears are worth 40 in a panic. What’s more, if your toddler is proud of their bravery in the face of those haircutting shears today, they are far more likely to let you use them again a few weeks’ time.
If nothing you do enables your toddler to stay calm and hold still long enough for even the most cursory trim, why not back off and give their anxiety a chance to fade? After all, temporarily shaggy hair is infinitely preferable to fights, force, and lasting fear

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