Bedhead won’t be an issue
I’ve been itching to get Daniel’s hair cut for a while now. Compared to a lot of kids, he really didn’t have a ton of hair at all. It’s straight, not very thick, it lies down flat to his head, it’s generally inoffensive. But it was hanging over his ears and getting long enough in back that it was bugging me. I know lots of little boys with much more hair than Daniel, and whose parents keep it much longer, and I think it’s totally cute. But apparently I prefer my boy’s hair nice and short and clean, and the teensiest hint of a mullet was just getting on my nerves.
M was overdue for a haircut himself, so rather last-minute I suggested we attempt a family trip to the barber shop after naptime. We talked it up to Daniel, played with making little “snip snip” noises and pretending to trim his hair, and he thought it was funny. When we arrived and the barber suggested he sit on M’s lap and put on the smock? Yeah, not havin’ it. Ah well, no big deal. M could get his hair cut, the kids could have a snack and read a book. At one point, though, Daniel started getting interested in what Daddy was doing. “Comb!” he said. I let him walk over near the chair, show Daddy his book. The barber was great and really tried to engage with Daniel. He asked him about his book, talked to him, and even let him touch the clippers and see how they’d tickle. Daniel was really warming up. When M’s cut was done, though, he still had no interest in sitting on Daddy’s lap, especially with that weird black drape he was wearing. When M sat in one of the regular waiting chairs, though, he was game and the barber jumped on the opportunity.
While we had to hold his hands out of the way and keep him from squirming and protesting for the first few clips, he actually calmed down and didn’t fight it much at all. The barber was awesome, patient, engaging, and quite skilled at cutting the hair of a very wiggly 19-month-old. He even tried to not charge us for the cut. Needless to say, we not only paid for it, but gave him a hefty tip.
Truthfully, I imagined keeping a bit more hair. In reality, it’s all but a buzz cut. Buzzed on the sides, a touch more length up top. It’s really, really short, and I admit that it freaked me out just a little. But I think it’s adorable, and it’s so nice and neat and clean-looking. And my little boy did such a good job on his first cut. I’m so proud.
Rebecca, by comparison, looks even more like a ragamuffin than before. We might have to make a trip to the kiddie salon tomorrow morning, though I suspect it will not go quite as smoothly as Daniel’s. If only she would let me use barrettes….
Tags: first haircut
March 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I think he looks so handsome! I am surprised how well it went considering the last time you tried to cut it yourself and Daniel had different plans. I also struggle with Kate’s hair and keeping it out of her face. I gave her bangs which helps, but whenever I put anything in her hair, the longest it will stay in is an hour. She’ll pull it out everytime…sigh.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
His new haircut looks great! And I love the shot of him smiling while he gets it cut – so cute!
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March 21st, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I love the cut. Have you considered finding a hair place that specializes in kids? We go to a place called Little Hairkuts that has ride-on toys instead of barbers’ chairs, a toy corner for your wait, and lollipop rewards. I even saw a stylist giving a mom with straight hair advice on how to care for her daughter’s curly curly hair. My girls LOVE getting their hair cut … they always choose to sit in the airplane.
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March 21st, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Awww, precious! And stylicious. I have toddler hair envy. My Maddie is 13 months old and still bald as can be.
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March 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 am
He looks great. On Thursday my mom was watching Ned while we took Penny to see the GI specialist and my mom took it upon herself to CUT HIS HAIR! With KITCHEN scissors! I did not freak out (but later wish I had – his hair isn’t as cute and spiky as it was before).
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March 22nd, 2009 at 7:43 am
I think it looks fantastic but I am partial to short hair on toddler boys (obviously). My boys have had a couple of too-short hair cuts and I’ve been amazed at how quickly it grows out. Alex’s hair is so thick and unruly we need to get it cut about every 4 weeks. We always go to one of the kiddie places, not because they love it, but because they are used to dealing with screaming children.
(Although my boys no longer scream… they know they get lollipops when they get their hair cut.)
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March 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
Oh, I LOVE it! I just buzz the boy’s hair at home. We’ve had a few “cancer patient” looks, but I’ve gotten the hang of it and now it’s just something we do while watching TV every once in a while. Maggie’s hair though … I won’t touch. Beauty shop all the way!
And OMG, I can’t believe Mommy, Esq didn’t totally freak out at her mom!!
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March 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
omgoodness i think he looks ADORABLE and so handsome! i LOVE it! though my son is 8 and has always had that same cut but i think little boys look super cute with a short cut like that! LOVE it!
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
i love it, he looks so grown up! my girls need haircuts too…actually, so does james. someday
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March 22nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
He looks SO handsome…like such a little man!!! We have the same problem with Maddie (barrettes). She’s been refusing to wear them forever. Suddenly, about two days ago, she asked for one and has worn one every second of the day since. She even wanted to sleep with it. Toddlers….
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March 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I love it! I buzz everything off in the summer for the boys. Come to think of it they have an appt. on Thursday. Can’t wait to have the whole thing buzzed off. No more hair pointing in every direction in the mornings. So much easier!
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March 25th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
So handsome!!
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