No matter how you cut it, the first haircut is hard
Talk to the child about the haircut beforehand. Explain what the stylist will be doing, or make it a fun game. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Most experts say you should wait until your child is over 6 months old, preferably a year old, for them to get a haircut. My daughter Grace got her first haircut when she was more than 2 years old. Seems late, right? I wasn’t being lazy — honest! Grace’s hair didn’t grow. And we got it cut when she was 2 years old to help it grow more.
My son John, on the other hand, is almost 2 years old and has a lush head of hair with beautiful curls. I will wait as long as I can to take him for a haircut because I don’t want him to lose those curls we love. Also, my son doesn’t like to sit still for long, so I know it will be hard to keep him seated for the haircut.
Grace Stiansen, the writer’s daughter, got her first haircut when she was a little over 2 years old. Photo courtesy of Laura Adams Stiansen
As I researched what I should expect for John’s first haircut — because, as a mom, I Google everything — I found some great tips and tricks to make his first haircut manageable.
Choose a child-friendly salon or a hair stylist you trust. When we took Grace to get her haircut, we went to a family friend who also cut her grandmother’s hair. This allowed her to be comfortable — though she did say, “Done,” after he cut a few pieces of her hair, and we laughed and said, “Not quite yet.” There are salons in our area that cater to tiny clientele, offering fun styling chairs, movie screenings and more. But even picking up the phone and calling your trusted salon and asking if they have experienced stylists who cut children’s hair could work.
Choose the right time of day. The best time to book your appointment is right after your child’s meal or nap. The last thing you want to do is bring them to an unfamiliar place, make them sit down and have people fussing over them when they are either tired or hungry. It could create sensory overload and cause a meltdown.
Prepare your child. Talk to your child about the haircut beforehand. Explain what the hairstylist will be doing step by step, or make it a fun game, such as playing hair salon with them and acting out cutting each other’s hair (no real scissors!). It also helps to show them pictures of going to a hair salon or getting a haircut, such as in the book “Haircut for Lion” by Michael Dahl and “Hair” by Leslie Patricelli.
Bring distractions. Pack your child’s favorite toy or book in your travel bag. Keep it handy for when they start to get antsy. It will help keep them entertained during the haircut. It’s also helpful to bring snacks. If your children are like mine, snacks will calm them down and keep them happy (the more snacks, the better).
Dress them in comfortable clothes. I know this may seem like an Instagram-worthy moment to share on social (#firsthaircut), but — trust me — dressing them up in a special outfit (I am imagining bows and ruffles, or a suit and bowtie) will not get you cute photos. You both, more than likely, will end up screaming and crying because they won’t sit still in uncomfortable clothes. You also want to avoid any clothing getting in the way during a haircut. Casual and comfortable is the way to go.
Take your child’s favorite toy or book. Keep it handy for when they start to get antsy. It’ll help keep them entertained during the haircut. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Use positive reinforcement. Tell your child how great they are doing throughout the haircut. It’s OK to offer a reward afterward for good behavior, too.
Take breaks. If your child becomes fussy or restless, let them take a break. It might be a good time for them to enjoy a snack you packed and to move around before continuing. Remember that they may be scared or anxious, so it’s important to be patient and understanding with them.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.
