Helping children feel safe and comfortable during haircuts
A friendly hello at the door, a quick chat with mum, and then I would get started.
Instead, mum quietly told me her son was in the cupboard and she wasn’t sure if he would come out.
Not unduly phased, I asked if I could say hello.
She nodded, so I walked over and gently spoke through the door.
A small hand appeared through the gap.
He waved.
That tiny moment told me everything.
He wasn’t refusing. He was unsure. Possibly overwhelmed.
He just needed time… and a little control.
I asked if I could come into his room to talk. He agreed, so I tiptoed over his Lego, careful not to disturb his world too much. I introduced myself and explained that I wanted to understand what was worrying him about having a haircut.
He told me straight away he didn’t like the sound of clippers.
So we created a simple game. Thumbs up, thumbs down, or in the middle.
How do you feel about having a haircut?
Thumb in the middle.
Would it help if I told you how I work?
Thumbs up.
Using clippers? A very clear thumbs down.
What about a shorter cut using scissors only?
He thought about it… then gave me a thumbs up.
He had his own superhero cape and wanted to use that, instead of mine. Anything familiar helps. He also wanted the mirror in front of him so he could see everything, and a running narrative, of what I was doing and how long it would take.
So that’s exactly what we did.
Step by step. Calm. No surprises.
He started chatting. Asking questions. Relaxing.
The cupboard felt a long way behind us by then.
The boy in the cupboard was no longer in the cupboard.
He was in the chair. Brave, funny, curious, and completely in control of his haircut. A win-win all round.
And sometimes, that’s all a child really needs.
If your child finds haircuts difficult, whether because of sensory needs, anxiety, or simply the fear of the unknown, I work gently and at their pace. There is no rush, no pressure, and no one-size-fits-all approach.
Just time, understanding, and finding what works for them.
