No more drama,
BABY CARE
34 | JULY & AUGUST 2019
BY NOW YOU’VE certainly discovered
that toddlers in general are not particularly
logical or wise little beings. Once they’ve
decided something, you can argue ‘til the
cows come home. One or two bad hair
washing experiences (like a tiny drop
of water in the eye) is all it can take for
your little one to dig her heels in – deep.
And there you have it: a child who loves
splashing around in the pool but will never
ever agree to having her hair washed.
A new strategy is needed:
STEP 1: STAY CALM AND FIRM
You are the parent, and your child is
finely attuned to your mood. If it looks as
though you might fold, you’ve lost the battle
already. Stick to your guns and do not allow
Hair washing day. Are you dreading it already?
yourself to be manipulated by a two-year-
old. Hair-washing day must not become
a power struggle. Use a calm, clear, firm
voice, and stay respectful and loving. Your
consistency about hair-washing day is very
important. If you hold your ground, your
child will begin to accept that it is inevitable
and non-negotiable.STEP 2: SHOW EMPATHY
Remember, your little one isn’t enjoying
all the drama either. She isn’t trying to be
naughty. In her world, having clean hair just
doesn’t matter very much. It’s difficult for
adults to understand toddlers’ fears, and her
reaction to the shower head as if it really is
a cobra lacks all logic, but the emotions are
real. Don’t just ignore her feelings, as this
will only make matters worse.STEP 3: LOWER YOUR STANDARDS
You really don’t have to wash her hair every
second day. Once a week is enough, and
in the winter when she sweats less, you
could even stretch it to every 10 days. Have
a look at her hair and scalp, and if they’re
clean, leave her alone.STEP 4: ID THE PROBLEM
Which part of hair washing is causing the
issue? Is it wetting the hair, the application
of shampoo or the rinsing? Chat to your
child about it, maybe when you’re driving
somewhere, so you can figure out what the
problem is. Some children fear the feel of
water on their face, as it feels like drowning.
Others don’t like their eyes to burn. When
does the protest usually start up? When you
know this, you can work on a solution and
alternatives, for examples lying down in the
water instead of using the shower head, or
holding a face cloth over her eyes.STEP 5: GO FOR THE WIN
Make a competition out of it. Toddlers
love this. See how fast you can get the
whole thing done. Set an alarm, and try
to beat it the next time around. Or limit
her complaints to only six, and count them
down. Next time go for five.
Shower or bath together – toddlers adore
having a bath buddy. Having you right
there will make the whole event feel more
relaxed. You could even take turns and let
her wet and wash your hair too, so she can
see how it works from the other side.
Use fantasy. Put a doll or teddy in the
bath, and demonstrate exactly how you are
going to wash the toy’s hair.
Give your child a turn too. You could
also play swimming games to get her hair
wet and make some funny hairstyles once
you’ve foamed it all up.
Try a reward chart. For every drama-free
hair-washing day your child gets a sticker.
Once she’s collected five stickers, you can
go for ice cream. YBJohnsons’s soft & shiny is specially de-
signed for curly, dry toddler hair.
Conditioner spray (R39.95), 2-in-1
shampoo & conditioner (R39.95–
R64.95). At Baby City, Clicks, Dis-Chem
and most supermarkets.