Tips or Tricks for haircut please

bumpuser511563

DS has always been fearful of getting a haircut. He cries so much. He is due for another haircut but I just don't know what to do.

I have already tried lollipops and I have tried holding him down. Holding him down did not work because we ended up going to er for stitches. I even have tried cutting his hair myself.

I am open for other suggestions. Getting stitches may have traumatized him enough.

TIA

KelliO924

Oh no, poor guy and poor momma on the stitches!  Do they use scissors or clippers?  We initially had to do scissors and a comb, but we're finally able to do clippers.  Our trick was lots of m&ms, favorite iPad apps, and not watching in the mirror.  My husband shaves his head, so we were never able to do this, but maybe if he goes with and sees his dad getting his hair cut it might help ease his anxieties?  How does he do with social stories?  Every now and then my little guy will still look like he's going to lose it, but we seem to be able to get through it with additional snacks.  Is there any way at all to distract him while he's getting it done?

malcivar

The last time he had a haircut was by far his most successful trip.  He sat on my lap and there was no drape cloth used.  This was key.  The stylist (this is a place that specializes in kids) said that many times it's the drape cloth that freaks the kids out.  We had a DVD playing in the background of Thomas & Friends as well as my iPhone which he was playing with prior to and during the haircut.  

Scissors and comb only - no clipper.  The buzzing usually upsets him.  We also went on a weekday when it was quiet.  

Hope that helps.  

Assembly_Reqd

Remember that cool play-doh toy which was a barber chair??? I had the 70's version and loved it.

https://compare.ebay.com/like/110890425252

Could you play pretend barber shop at home with cape, comb and plastic scissors?

I took Nate to the barber a couple weeks ago and I held the ipad in front of him to make him stop squirming.

bumpuser511563

These are great ideas! Thanks girls!

I was even thinking of cutting DS's hair when he is asleep.

Spockles

DS always used to fight going to get his haircut. He was fearful of the whole process and would scream and cry. We just did a lot of social stories about it and played barber shop(lol). We would give him thugs to hold has transition objects but nothing ever helped. He was afraid because e wasn't in control of the situation. Finally, we gave him his own little comb and he was fine. He didn't fuss or scream. It's like he felt like he was in control so that helped him feel more calm. We also never use the clippers. 

finsup

I do it at home now.  I started off only being able to use the comb and and scissors, but now he tolerates the buzzer with only a little resistance.

For my guy its not the actual buzzer that bothers him but the feeling of the cut hair that gets on his skin - its itchy and he hates it.

I have to be very very careful to get as little hair on him as possible - which means I have to cut slowly and with frequent breaks.  I also use a box fan and put it directly on him while I cut so it blows away much of what might fall on him right away.  I also take frequent breaks, wipe him down often and special TV show or treats for allowing me to do it.

It still takes me at least an hour though.And I'm no professional so I've hacked him up a few times, but overall I'm pretty happy with it and I get better at each cut.  Plus, it saves me 30.00 and an hour of hell at a salon with other parents giving me the evil eye.