Conference moira::parenting_v3

    There IS a kids salon in Worcester, on Lincoln Street across from the
    entrance to Lincoln Plaza - if you're approaching from the Shrewsbury
    end, it's on the right, next to Mr. Roberts Hair Salon (owned by the
    same person too), before you get to the light for Country Club Blvd. I
    take my son to the adult shop (Mr. Robert's) because Bob is my sitter's
    father, and Ryan adores him.  
    
    For some reason, Ryan does better going to get a hair cut going with my
    husband than with me - he'll sit in the seat by himself rather than
    neeeding to sit on my lap. This was true even at 16-18 months.
    

    Uh, I just did it myself.
    
    Andrew isn't the most cooperative kid when it comes to toe nail
    clipping, ear cleaning, etc. so I have to make it worth his while.
         
    For his hair cut (a 1 year) we sat him in his table seat, my husband
    fed him popsicles (we only went through 2 I think) while I'll quickly
    combed and clipped.  I saw a piece on the Good Morning show on how to 
    cut kids hair and it worked out well. 
    
    I just figured I'd save him and myself the anxiety of bringing him to a 
    salon where he'd probably not want a stranger to touch him.
    
    I've used the popsicle method about three or so times and it seems to
    work.  He's still not crazy about haircuts but he tolerates it when
    he's eating one of his FAVORITE things.
    
    Good luck.  Sometimes kids are volatile about these things and sometimes 
    they're not; they always surprise me.
    
    Nancy
    
    
    
    

    
    My sister-in-law gave Jason his first cut.   I wasn't there but
    I guess that she cut my husband's hair first (while Jason watched)
    to get him used to the idea.   Seem to work out ok, but it wasn't
    an elaborate cut by any stretch of the imagination.
    
    carol

    Up until Elizabeth was 3 I trimmed her hair.  And what an experience!!! 
    You'd think I was trying to cut out her heart!!!
    
    Finally, after a variety of attempts and trimminging her hair and trying to
    keep her long locks combed I got *very* disgusted.  (Elizabeth *had* to
    comb her own hair which wasn't practical when it was long.)  One
    afternoon last December we went to Harvard Square and got a very cute,
    *short* cut in one of those cheapie (can't make an appointment) places.
    
    They didn't wash her hair, just wet it and cut it.  In spite of the
    fact that she was a high, holy terror for me, she was fine for the
    woman who did the cutting.  The woman didn't really do anything 
    "entertaining" for her, but the cut didnt' take that long.  The 
    beautician was pleasant and chatted with Elizabeth; the whole process
    went very smoothly.  Elizabeth and I both liked the results.  And now
    her hair is *self-maintainable*!
    
    Have fun,
    LZP
        

I took Kathryne for her first professional haircut at 3.5 years.  I 
took her to a regular salon and she LOVED it!  She's been back since
then.  Up until then I cut 9butchered?) it myself.

Liz

    Lynn:
    
    Mr. Robert's sounds ideal.  I know exactly where it is, too.
    
    HOWEVER, he's not listed in the yellow pages or the white pages.
    I even called "information", but they don't have a listing.
    
    Would you happen to have the number, Lynn?
    
    Thanks!!
    Dottie
    
    PS:  NOTERS: please continue sharing your experiences with me!

    I cut my son's hair myself until he was two -- it was tough at times
    and the results were not always much to look at. At two he started to
    accompany my husband on trips to the hairdresser, and he loves it!
    He likes the ritual and keeps still quite well. I think it helped that
    he went to the same barber that Daddy went to, and Daddy got his hair
    cut at the same time. 
    
    Lucy
    

    Alex is 6 now and still has never had a professional cut--I've always
    done it.  Her first trim was at 7 months (bangs) - in the high chair,
    which was in the center of the kitchen on top of newspapers; I put tons
    of Cheerios on the high chair tray and had a friend provide an extra
    set of hands just in case.
    
    As she got older, I'd sit her on an old sheet in the living room and
    put on a video she hadn't seen in a while, and tell her to keep
    watching it.  It doesn't do any good to tell them not to move their
    head; they don't understand that when they *look* around the room, the
    head usually follows.  Also, do the bangs first, when they're most
    likely to hold still and follow directions!  Nobody wants a poke in the
    neck, but I'd rather have an accidental jab happen there than in the
    face!!
    
    I've had great results (lots of compliments, requests for referrals to
    the "salon"!) but I'm not doing anything at all complicated (thinning,
    layering, perms, coloring!); I like blunt cuts.
    
    Leslie

    
    
      My sister-in law also cut Matthew's hair.  Daddy and Matthew both sat
      down in chairs and she went back and forth from one to the other.
    This was much more appealing to him.  He would tell her when to stop
    and that it was Daddy's turn now...  
    
    

    I brought Tommy (11 months) last month for his first haircut (to my
    hairdresser).  I was prepared for the worst because he is so "wiggly".  
    He never sits still unless he's eating.  So, I brought some graham 
    crackers and apple juice.  Well...  he didn't need either.  I think he 
    was so dumbfounded at what was happening he didn't move.  I'm sure when
    I bring him again it willbe different.
    
    My daughter is 3 and I also bring her to my hairdresser to get her "bob"
    every few months.  She's fine with it.  She enjoys watching herself in
    the mirror!!!  Although she does have a tendency to move around a bit,
    so her bangs are usually alot shorter than I'd prefer!!
    
    Have fun.
    Joyce
    

Shellie cut Evan's hair the first couple/few times when he was about 
19-20 months old.  The first professional haircut came a few months later,
and we continue going to the same place (Fantasy Hair Designs on Academy
by Children's Palace).  They have a special room for the munchkins, where
they sit on "ride 'em" type horse or frog or elephant (all stationary).
They have a color TV and VCR that plays childrens stuff and they give
a sucker afterwards (it used to be a balloon, but for safety reasons
they switched).  We have no problem getting Evan there, as he always remembers
the sucker.  One time they were out of suckers, so after the haircut Evan
and I went directly to the nearest store to buy a sucker for him.

We take a few basic precautions to try to keep him happy.  We don't get his
hair washed there, they just spritz it, since we thought it would be less
traumatic that way.  We also don't let them use the electric clippers on
"sideburns" and the back of his neck. Although we have the "typical little boy
cut", we don't consider the clippers necessary.  He did have the clippers used
once, and it didn't bother him, but I just didn't want to take any more chances
(especially when things were going so *well*!) 

The one thing I remember them being surprised about, was how easily Evan took
to having the plastic sheet spread around him, and fastened at his neck.
We just told him what was going to happen each time, and said that now they
were going to put the bib on him to keep the hair off of him.  He was used
to a "bib" and so it wasn't any problem.

          Carol

    I'm really getting a chuckle from reading these replies.  Cory (almost
    18 months) has just enough hair to brush never mind getting it cut !
    Although I did notice this past weekend that a few strands were
    starting to touch the top of his ears !
    
    The joke at his daycare center is that he won't need his first haircut
    until he's 10 !
    
    
    - Terry

    
    I cut Spencers hair myself until he was almost 2, then we took him to a
    hair dresser.  Well the first time he had to sit on my lap, and refused
    to wear the cape.  next time, the same thing, next time, he would sit
    in the chair himself, but still no cape, next time, chair and cape!
    Hes 2 1/2 now, and wed we got another hair cut, he sits so still, and
    doesn't peep!  I should  bring him more often!!!!  Afterwards tho, he
    babbles on and on, about paula cutting his hair, and he got a lolipop!
    

For Kati's first cut, she watched me get mine (and boy did she keep her
eye on the stylist!), and then she sat in the chair and got a few snips.
I don't think she would have done it without my doing it first.  It wasn't
really intended to be a haircut, but to get her used to the idea.

Then I found RAZZ MATAZZ.  Not sure if they have them up your way, but
they are GREAT!!!  Lots of toys to play with while you wait, then you
climb up on a mat to get bubbles in your hair (wash).  Then you sit in
your choice of (boat, car, horse, etc...) and watch a video while your
hair is being cut.  I've never heard any kids even whimper while I was
there - Kati usually doesn't even notice her hair being cut, she is
so entagled in the video.

Kristen

    I'm really glad this note was entered.  We cut Gina's bangs at
    Christmas.  Both John and I took a turn with the scissors.  She looked
    okay, but I wouldn't call it a great job by any means.
    
    I have been considering taking her somewhere for a trim.  She won't sit
    still for me, but may for a stranger.
    
    Has anyone tried the place in the Royal Ridge Mall in Nashua that has
    horses and cars for kids to sit on?  
    
    judy
    
    

    re: .15
    
    That's where we've taken our kids as long as we've lived in
    Nashua.  They're Continental something-or-another.
    
    They're affiliated with a hairdressing school, so they tend to
    have a rather high turnover as their students gain experience and
    move on to higher-paying places, but they're all competent, and
    the prices are a lot lower than the average around here. And the
    woman who specializes in children's hair has been there for quite
    a while now.
    
    Steven enjoys it, and his hair looks nice even when it's tousled.
    
    --bonnie

    Someone mentioned the place near Lincoln Plaza, but I don't recall
    seeing prices mentioned.  AJ doesn't need anything fancy, just the
    basic "little boy cut".  But since these kids need them so frequently,
    usually once a month to six weeks for AJ, it gets expensive!
    
    I did AJ's hair until his fourth birthday (This past January) and then
    I tried the place, can't remember the name, in the plaza accross the
    street from The Fair on Route 20 at the Worcester/Auburn line.  (Great
    Cuts or Fantastic Sams maybe??)  They do a good job, although not
    dedicated to kids, they have videos while you wait and a few Playschool
    toys.  They use booster seats and had a kid designed cape.  I think
    there's a Tuesday night special rate, but generally the prices were
    either 6 or 8 dollars.  AJ did cooperate, much to my amazement!
    
    He's due again, but I'm trying to put it off til late next week so it's
    fresh for Easter Sunday.
    
    Of course this whole situation is embarassing since my husband's TWO
    sisters are professional hair dressers, but one refuses to cut
    children's hair, and the other has a busy life working part time and
    doing hair for a nursing home, and two children of her own 5.5 & 4.
    
    Lyn

    
    
    When my nephew was young 3-4 (he's 7 now) he went to the barber shop
    in town (Ayer), I think its called John's Barber Shop.  He still goes
    and loves it.  He sits in the big chair and the Barbers talk to him
    just like any paying customer.  He has always looked forward to going.
    He has very thick, fast growing hair so it also has to be cut often.
    The prices in the barber shop are very reasonable.  He pays $3.00 for a
    cut.
    

    My husband used to take our daughter to the Barber Shop with him when
    he went to get his haircut.  She's almost 8 now so we have it cut by
    the same women who cuts my hair, but for a number of years this worked
    great for us.  I'm sure she got plenty of attention being the only
    little girl......  The barber charged us something like $2.00 as
    opposed to the $12.00 my hairdresser wanted to simply trim her hair.
    
    

I had trouble finding it in the phone book ... it's name is (I think!)
"It's a Kid's World", 853-7768.  "Lisa" cut Juli's hair and did a wonderful
job.  Juli didn't mind one bit!  In fact, she didn't want to leave ...
threw a fit and laid across a mud puddle in the middle of the sidewalk
for all the 5 o'clock Lincoln Street traffic to see!  Awwggh!  (Parenting
is NOT for whimps!)

I didn't notice any video's, but they did have a nice setup for kids ...
a "sit-on" giraffe, booster chairs, toys, little-tyke-chairs, books and a
circus train with a large stuffed lion (which had a mat on top, which they
used to lay the kids on to wash their hair).

We skipped the washing and just took a "wet down".  Her cut took about
10 minutes.  Juli enjoyed every second of it (such vanity in an 18 month
old!).

Cost:  $6.50.  Would I got back?  YOU BET!!!!  I was extremely pleased 
with the cut (and advice/suggestions from Lisa) ... AND Juli enjoyed the
pampering.

Wish I had brought the camera ... but Lisa did scoop up a few locks and
put them in an envelope for me.

Good luck.
Dottie

PS: Thanks Lynn for sending me the phone number (it's now in
my Rolodex).

    My 18 month old would rather take 100 needle shots from the doctor than
    get his hair cut.  I swear he has nerve ending on each strand on hair.
    He has beautiful curly blonde hair that grows like weeds.  He had his
    1st cut at 5 days old and regularly since.
    
    We've tried everything, including cutting it while he was sleeping
    which he woke up at the 1st snip.  We brought him to a barber and he
    wouldn't finish the job in fear of poking my son with the scissors.
    The only way is for me to get him in a headlock, let him scream and my
    wife cuts away.
    
    Any suggestions?  Other than hair cuts he great.
    

    
    	How 'bout taking him next time you get your hair cut. You go 
    	first showing him there's nothing to be afraid of, then it's 
    	his turn.

    The only way I could get my son to let the hairdressers cut his hair,
    was to let him sit on my lap.  He was then 18months - 2 yrs old.  He's
    only had it cut twice 'cause it just doesn't grow fast.  You may get
    a little "hairy" this way, but it works.
    

    Can he take a favorite toy with him to hold under the cape they
    usually give you so you won't get hair all over you? 
    
    FWIW, my son hated to get his hair cut till about a year ago.
    He's 3.5.  Can your little one wear her/his hair on the long
    side so you don't have to go through this as often?  Sometimes
    it's harder on us parents to see those we love so upset!

    Have you tried doing it during a different time of the day, like early
    morning, or just after his nap. I find mine won't sit still as well if
    it's done on the way home from work, at night or just around his time
    to eat.
    
    Have you tried someplace that specialized in cutting kids hair.  One of
    the places in Worcester has like a merry goround horse the kids sit on
    to have their hair cut.  Wash it yourself beforehand, so all they might
    have to do is dampen a bit for the cut, and don't bother letting them
    dry it, saves time and $$ plus the kid's patience.  Do you know someone
    familiar with your son, who might give your son a haircut?  Pehaps he's
    reacting to "this stranger" coming at him with a pair of sissors.
    
    Good luck,
    Lyn

When Juli got her first few haircuts, we took her to a "Kid's Shop".
Everything there was sized for kids ... and fun ... like a "sit-on"
giraffe overlooking a busy street.

The booster chairs were "buses" ... they laid down on the top of a circus
train to get their hair washed ... even the combs/brushes were wide-toothed
and bright-colored.

Juli thought getting a haircut was going to the local indoor playground!

I'm not sure she "knew" they were even cutting her hair!  And the
hairdresser was "quick" ... she could do a great 10-minute cut on the
most active kid (and never loose her patience).

Cost ... only $6.50!

    re: .26
    
    Dottie,
    
    Where is this place?
    
    Lori B.

    See notes .17 and .20 for the name and phone number of a couple
    suggestions.
    
    Lyn

    My daughter Avanti screamed bloody murder each time I tried to cut her
    hair - forget about going to anyone else. We tried taking her to one
    place thata friend of mine said was good with kids - no go. So for the
    first few times we sat her up on the counter in the bathroom, gave her
    her favorite pacifier and some toys and i spent the next 1 hour cutting
    her hair little a time in between her bouts of screaming. She got used
    to it after a few times. Now (she is 27 months old) we sit her on her
    chair on a large plastic sheet (like a splat mat) in front of the TV
    with her favorite video and I cut. She does not scream anymore. Daddy
    has to sit next to her and I have to pretend cut his hair to give her
    some confidence. 
    
    I think I will be cutting her hair for quite a while. The first few
    cuts looked strange, but I learned over the next few tries.
    
    You have to bear with the screams and be calm or just let the hair
    grow. I have friend who has a 2 year old boy with beautiful long hair.
    He willnot allow anyone to cut his hair.
    
    Sigh!
    
    Shaila