Hair: Help Me Rhonda on fear of haircuts
Dear Rhonda,
My son is terrified of getting his hair cut. Any suggestions for how I can help make this less scary for him?
Dear Terrified Toddler,
I completely understand the fear some toddlers feel about going to a salon. The first thing you can do is talk to your toddler and get him excited about the haircut. It really should be a fun experience that kids can enjoy.
If he has already had a bad experience in the salon, he’ll certainly remember it. I once had a child who had 
his ear accidentally nicked by the clippers during a past visit to a salon. He was terrified. I took the little boy aside and we talked about what he was scared of. Once we talked through it, he enjoyed his haircut and was excited about coming back. With kids, these things take TIME. And it’s so important that they know they can trust someone.
The good news is that there are child-friendly salons out there. So be involved in this process, and make sure it’s as fun for your toddler as possible. Check out the salon on your own first and decide if it is kid-friendly. If not, keep searching for the right salon. Your toddler deserves the best.
Rhonda Moulder, pictured right, is a mama to two beautiful daughters and is also a stylist at Blue Door & Co. in downtown Bentonville. E-mail her a hair question at mamas@nwaMotherlode.com or call for an appointment at the salon at 479-273-9944. Have a happy hair day.
