We have all been there. The screams and tears over hair washing and that was just me not the boys! Well I am here to let you know that it gets better and now at eight and nine my boys can wash their hair on their own and we no longer have any issues so here is what worked with us to make washing kids hair much easier.
15 Tips for making toddler hair washing less stressful
- Kid’s hair doesn’t actually get that dirty. I only really washed the boys hair once a week and sometimes even less than that and sometimes I just wet it! We only really started with the true hair washing when they started getting really grubby. When they were small I often would just wipe it over with a damp flannel.
- Wash hair at the beginning of the bath and get it out of the way
- Do not feel apprehensive about hair washing time, children can feed off your feelings.
- You could use a dry flannel folded up in to thirds for their eyes and either hold it fore them or get them to hold it to protect their eyes or you can get foam visors. Or if they really don’t like water near their eyes you could always give swimming goggles a try.
- Get them to tip their head back and look at a point on the ceiling – you could pop a sticker or a safety mirror on the ceiling for them to look at.
- If they don’t like tipping their head back try tipping it forward.
- We used to use a toy watering can to wet and rinse the boys hair. They also loved using it for playing in the bath.
- Make it fun. Make both bathtime and hair washing fun. We used to have lots of toys for the boys to play with in the bath, they knew that they got to play after their hair was washed. Water pistols were and still are a huge hit in my bathroom.
- Let them wash your hair. We went through a stage where the boys refused to have their hair washed so we let them wash ours to show that there was nothing to be scared off. I am a big believer in modelling behaviour you would like to see.
- Role play. Why not let your kids play at being mum and washing their dolls hair.
- Using a shower attachment gets the hair rinsed much faster than a cup or jug which means the ordeal will be over faster!
- Let them do it themselves. Sometimes giving them the responsibility is enough to let them not worry
- Try a different place, if they don’t like it is the bath try moving hair washing into the shower.about it. Kids love to be independant.
- Be prepared. Yes bathtime can get a little messy and the floor can get a little wet, so be prepared and put bath mats down and towels too. Bathroom Furniture is designed to get wet and is easily wipeable.
- Remember it is a phase. this too will pass.
brought to you in conjunction with Bella Bathrooms
Great tips Jen. We use a face cloth for Fran’s hair and always do it straight away so she can get on with the fun part of splashing in the water.
This is such a useful posts, my daughter used to cry at hair wash times so I used to give her a flannel to hold over the eyes and it worked well.
Great tips and fab photo! I am lucky, now Baby likes the bath I can tip water right over her head (we do it at swimming) and she is fine so we wash her hair every day x
Excellent tips – we always found a flannel to be extremely helpful!
great tips – we use the flannel over the eyes!
My three old doesn’t like his hair washing but due to the sandpit at nursery it does need washing every so often! I use a sponge and squeeze it over his head. And yes, hair washing at the beginning of the bath is definitely best!
Some great suggestions 🙂
Hit enter too soon!! Great suggestions – Mostly mine were fine with hair washing but we bought a jug with a flexible front to seal on the forehead and pour back over the hair. once they realised they were not getting wet that really helped us.
I used to hate having my hair washed as a kid and even now I hate water on my face if I am in the sea, swimming pool etc xx
Have to say some very good tips in this post.
I remember how much it hurt my eyes when my hair was washed when I was a toddler. So I tried to be extra careful with my son. It was difficult but we developed a system that worked for both of us 🙂
I remember when my son was little he hated having his hair washed. It’s the same now and he’s 17 lol. Great tips for little ones.
I am so relieved that Sebby enjoys having his hair washed. He is used to water being in his hair from swimming
Excellent tips. I used to hate having my hair washed!
I can’t remember if I cried while hair washing but as I had them long it’s possible that I did 🙂 Very useful post!
Wilf hates having his hair washed as he just doesn’t get the head back thing! x
Yes!! Hair washing time is not a fun time in this house! Great tips.
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It’s just so weird why kids won’t take a bath. My son’s eight and he does it independently, but with lots of “tantrums”, “please” and “why you’re still not taking a bath” moments. But, once he’s in, he won’t get out of the tub. I really liked it though. He’s just too adorable. Thanks for your tips. I really loved that roleplaying idea.
Thank you for sharing this post on The Sunday Showcase!