Saturday, January 21, 2012

I need help - tips, advice...

My oldest has never liked to have his hair washed. As an infant, I dreaded bath time because I knew it would be met with screams that would last for a long time afterwards.

As he got older, he did outgrow his hatred of the tub - but not his fear of having his hair washed. He hates water on his face/head/hair.  Up until recently, I have been able to convince him to let me wash his hair (it would take some cajoling, but I got it done) however - recently I can't even convince him to let me near him . I have tried using the removable shower head, a cup of water, a container; I have given him a cloth to put over his face, lean back, lie back whatever I can think of with no positive outcome.

This week, he had food stuck in his hair (thanks to a younger brother that likes to grab and pull with messy hands) and Iwasn't able to convince him - so i pretty much had to hold him against the wall of the shower while I threw water on his head. I didn't evne get shampoo in his hair, just water - enough to get out the dried on food......

Help me please....any advice would be wonderful

11 comments:

  1. offer him a prize? let him pick out the shampoo? let him help wash his hair?

    Hang in there... it's get better! SASS

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  2. I was thinking like last commenter! I don';t know his age, but just talk to him. Tell him how dirty hair leads to things like lice-show him pictures. Ask him what will help him-suggest letting him pick shampoo. When he wants hair washed-first thing or later in bath time. If you tell him it is so, but let him make some of his own boundaries, that might work as simple as it sounds. my 3 year old does real well when I STOP and just tell him WHY iam am wanting to do what it is we are battleing. Show him house fire when arguing over chair at the counter or ? It works!

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    1. thanks...I have tried all of those things already...he is 4.5

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  3. Sorry I can't be much help here - My little guy is 18 months and still cries when I was his hair. I remember as a kid holding a towel over my face to keep the water out of my eyes.

    Thanks for participating in SASS, hope to see you again next week

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  4. HI. Maybe one of those visor type hats. They work well for keeping the water out of their faces. Maybe let him pick it out, decorate it with permanent markers. Or make a deal with special bath toys earned for letting you get it done with minimal fuss. Maybe wash his hair first and the deal is he gets extra fun, maybe bubble bath or a special toy that only comes out if he lets you wash his hair easy.
    Hope it gets easier. Thanks for stopping by SASS (HOST) Remember to link up again next week. (http://thespringmount6pack.com/2012/01/time-to-sass-back-week-3/)

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    1. I haven't tried those - I had actually forgotten they existed! Thanks for the tip!

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  5. I've had a few boys go through this problem. I really want to buy one of those visor type hats, but hubby thinks it would be money wasted. (So, maybe he'll get bathtime duty for a while with my 2 year old?!)

    I will add that for one of my boys giving him control of the water helped. He wasn't nearly as mad about it going on his face when he was in control.

    SASS

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  6. My kids hate water in their face. I bought a hat that really looks like just the front part of the visor (i believe its what the mom above mentioned) and it covers their face and it has a handle on it so you can hold it or they can and you wash your kids. For our family it was one of the best investments. Once they learnt the water wasnt going to go in their face they didnt mind me washing their hair.

    -SASS

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  7. My boys (3yr & 5 yrs) also both hate having their hair washed. For the past two years, they've been sporting very short buzz cuts that can be 'washed' with a cloth, and will continue to have short hair until they become willing to do a more traditional shampooing.

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    1. that would work if my son would get his hair cut....he is scared of the clippers, and doesn't sit still for a good job with scissors.....

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