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Okay so my 4 yr old FD finally moved in this week. FFP has warned me that FD freaks out during hair washes. Sounds like she literally has to hold her down.
Anyone have any advice on how to create a less stressful time? What are some steps you take to prepare?
I am so dreading the first washing which will not help matters.
Any ideas would be helpful, thanks.
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so at 5 years, my child hates, but tolerates hair washing. it's been an uphill struggle since about 18 months. don't know if any of this will help, but here's my story.
at first, for about a year, she got her bath sitting on my sink (it's got a big counter). she had a blast. i washed her hair only 2xweek. could have used more, but who cares. i bought some shampoo in a pump bottle-it was yellow, but don't remember brand. but you didn't have to wet the hair first. so i did all the washing on the sink. we only had to scream when i put her in the tub to rinse. it was bad, but not as bad. she HATED being laid back for the rinse. very fearful of water in her eyes.
we gradually graduated back to the tub. once i could reason a little with her, we had a few plans. fold up a dry wash cloth for her to hold over her eyes. i got one of those shower visor hats for her to wear, too. i also used a shower sprayer which helped control the water.
once she started swimming in the pool, it was easier to get her hair wet in the tub. she'd lay back in the tub. the key being, low water and her being in control. i've found many bathroom activities are much easier, when i let her do it herself.
with a normal developing 4 year old, they could help you come up with a plan of implementation. they usually respond great to sticker charts. i'm always OK with screaming, as long as we cooperate.
if she's sensory sensitive, it could be a whole other conversation. good luck!
EDIT: i just noticed another great thread on the special needs forum entitled "the water hurts my hair". some good ideas there for sure!
You need to find out why she freaks out first. Is it the water on her head? The temperature of the water? Bad experience with shampoo? Is it the comb out after the wash? I had issues with both of my kids but for different reasons. DS doesn't like water on his head. DD hated the detangling process after the wash.