Prepping DS for First Haircut

My boys were five before they would let anyone but me cut their hair without a fit. So my advice would be be prepared that it won't work out.

Boys hair is easy to cut, you just buy clippers with the numbered guards. Five in the winter two in the summer. :)

they have little chops here in AZ . they sit in a car or boat and watch a movie. never thought about preparing them.....they just thought it was fun to go. the people there are really good about cutting a moving head. LOL.

Our sons first haircut was just before his 1st birthday. We took him to a place that specializes in kids cuts. They had cartoons playing, which helped to keep his interest. I had him sit on his own and just helped to hold his arms down when he needed it. It was quick, less than 15 minutes. He got a sucker afterwards, and has been excited about his haircuts ever since.
Good Luck!

For the first several haircuts (for both of my kids), they sat in my lap. I also made sure I had several dum dum suckers in my purse to pacify them. Usually by the time they finished the sucker the hairdresser was done! My son's hairdresser let's him use her spray bottle to spray the mirror, but not all hairdressers allow that. Dora has a video about getting a first haircut. http://www.nickjr.com/parenting/flicks_for_kids/ffk-dora-...

I was always afraid to cut my kids' hair myself, but I know many moms do it.
HTH,
A.

No. there is no 5 point harness for the barber chair.

He would sit on your lap. ask them to use hand scissors and not the trimmers. He should not be drowsy. you want him to hold his head up. I would take him with you a time or two to your hairdresser so that he can see you get your hair cut.

The more tense you are the more stressed he will be. If you are relaxed. He will be relaxed.

The first time I had a barber buzz cut it. We had toys and treats. He sat but not still we at one point had to hold his hands and arms to his side while he was on my lap. After that experience i have been doing it myself.

My youngest granddaughter had her first haircut at a shop where she had a little car instead of a chair, and she was fascinated both with the car and with what that lady was doing in the mirror.

In contrast, a friend took her son for his first cut, and he had a meltdown.

So take your choice.

Before my oldest child had his first haircut, I talked to him about how haircuts don't hurt. We walked by the barber shop a couple of times so he could look in the window and watch. When the big day came, his daddy went with him, and got his hair cut first, so that his son could witness it.

I wouldn't try it myself if it's the first time. Barbers know how to watch for moving heads and stray ears. They may definitely be able to do a better job.
If your barber is an experienced one, he (or she) may have a preferred way of dealing with a toddler.

There are places you can go that specialize in childrens cuts. There are none in our area, so we went to walmart. No harness, but he sat on a booster and they put a child friendly cape on him. My husband and I took turns holding him in place and comforting him. It was very quick, but he did cry the whole time. He got a little certificate and a lock of his hair in a baggy.

We decided to go somewhere for the first cut just to get a shape built in. Now we do it at home. We use his little booster as his barber chair.

I trim and cut my guy's hair, he'll be 3 next week. It's wavy and I don't trust it with anyone. If and when I take him to have it done I'm going to let him see the place beforehand, talk to him about it to see if he has any fears or misconceptions, tie it in with a "treat" like a movie or trip to Chuck E Cheese afterwards ~ "After your haircut we're going to go to _______, so let's get your haircut done", all things I've observed as working well, depending on the age.

I certainly wouldn't take him in drowsy or at nap time, he needs to be alert, check out some places in your area that specialize in cutting children's hair to see what would work best for him : )

Does someone you know use an actual barber? One where little one could be taken in and watch for a couple of times before he would get his cut (my dad used to take boys with him at times)? My boys both go to barbers, not salons - and it was not unusual for me to be the only female there, but other gals also started bringing their boys! Barbers are usually way quicker than salons - at least the good ones here are!