Cutting your child’s hair

Here’s how to do it
It was Baby G’s first haircut at the barber’s. Sam, his dad, did not know what to anticipate. Normally, Baby G’s mother had taken the responsibility of cutting his hair. Now that he had turned two years, the parents felt it was about time he got his first official haircut.

Sam took it upon himself to take him to his barber of many years. At least there, he felt some sense of security as he could not entrust anyone else with his child’s head. Baby G proudly sat in the chair.

It was not until the machine started buzzing that all hell broke loose. Baby G became all hysterical. Uncontrollable wailing followed. It took a lot to calm him down but they finally did.

Sam pondered what to do until the barber suggested that maybe he gets a haircut himself, to show Baby G it is not all that bad. So, Sam sat on the chair and got his haircut. Baby G looked on as if it was something of a mystery.

That alone was enough to put some courage in him and he finally agreed to get a haircut. The point is, children are imitators and if they see you do something, they too will want to do it.

Grooming is a general term that encompasses all sorts of things one may do in order to look presentable. Grooming is not only for adults but children also need to be taught about it at a tender age.

As they say, we are creatures of habit. So, the earlier you cultivate some of these essentials in your child, the easier it will be for them to catch up and not deviate as they grow older.

Tidy hair is part of good grooming. But for young children, the responsibility lies on parents to ensure that their children remain tidy. Cutting your child’s hair should not be a daunting task.

Things you will require for cutting the hair

• A good sharp pair of scissors or hair clippers; either electrical or manual.
• A comb for combing out sections of cut hair to ensure it is even.
• A towel to wrap around your child so as to avoid hair trimmings from falling on the clothes. If the hair falls around the neck, it may make the child uncomfortable.
• A very soft brush or facecloth, to dust off cut hair from the child’s face and neck. Small, cut loose hair can be irritating.

While doing the trimming

• Wash the child’s hair. Through observation and in agreement with most salonists, hair is easier to trim while wet.
• Get a chair for your child to sit in.
• Make sure their head is as straight as possible.
• Starting at the back of the head near the crown, trim the hair. You could comb it out to ensure evenness. If the hair is long enough, you may section it as you cut.
• You could dampen the hair a little if it gets dry.
• Continue cutting the hair along the scalp, from back to front.

Important tips to remember

• Take your time while cutting the hair. Never rush, to avoid accidents.
• Make sure there is good lighting where you can effectively see the progress.
• Switch on the child’s favourite video or TV programme while cutting the hair. Cutting hair in front of a TV will keep a young child still and focused, making the job much easier.
• Ask for tips from your barber or salonist about trimming your child’s hair as they may be best suited to give such advice.

You may acquire the desired results in terms of hair grooming if you follow the above child’s hair- cutting
essentials.

END: BL 40 / 29