I’m always getting people asking me how I get my girls to sit still for me while I do their hair – and you can find several of my tips and suggestions under our menu “Hair 101” – but the more I think about it – the real answer to the question of “How do I get my girls to sit still” is this: I don’t! They don’t sit still! The real key is just getting them to STAY PUT! I do their hair on the counter in our bathroom and when they are smaller the key is to get them to stay put – to stay ON the counter and not get down. (Or wherever it is you do their hair.) To this day, they still don’t hold totally still. They aren’t statues and even Goose who is 9, still moves around and I still have to tell her to hold still from time to time or move her head back to where I need it to be! The fact is, you just have to get used to working on a moving target! Even if she moves just a little bit (because she is older) or a lot (because she is younger!)
The reason I bring this up is because my sister stayed with me recently while we were having our family reunion and her littlest dd isn’t 2 yet and I came down and we were chatting while she was doing her dd’s hair. And while she put little ponies in her hair, her cute little dd was moving around, and I watched as she does the same thing I do — work on a moving target! *** But here is what she does to keep her dd to “stay put” on the counter. She gives her daughter her little toothbrush & then turns the faucet on ever so slightly and lets the water run. Then her dd takes and puts the toothbrush in the water and then pretends to brush her teeth. Back and forth her dd went with the toothbrush from the faucet to her mouth — but there she sat — on the counter. Did she move– YES! But did she stay put and not try get down off the counter — YES! But her hair got done & both mom & kiddo were happy! ***
So if you are working on a younger head of hair (and even an older one for that matter) chances are, they aren’t going to hold completely still. The point is you just want to be able to get them to stay in a basic area so you can work on their hair. Let them bring a toy, or play with the other hair accessories or suck on the water bottle (*gasp!*) or whatever …so they’ll be entertained while you do their hair – if that’s what it takes while they are younger and have a shorter attention span and until they are used to the routine of you doing their hair. They are going to move around, but don’t let that frustrate you! Keep trying & eventually you’ll both get used to the routine of it all!
Also, I just wanted to show you a new comb I recently bought for Goose. Her hair is getting so long again and it is so thick I wanted to try something knew to help combat the knots she gets.
I have her comb her hair out anymore so I don’t have to deal with the knots and this has been helpful for her to have the wide teeth. She’s also used it to comb conditioner through her hair when in the shower. That’s been a huge help after when we’ve been drying her hair. It even is great in her dry hair for giving a bit of a “finger combed” look too when we pull it back into a ponytail, etc. We bought it at Target for a couple bucks I think. Anyone have one of these & like it?
Shannon says
Just wanted to say that I just stumbled on this and I do the same exact thing to get my almost 2 year old to “stay”. Everything thinks it’s hilarious that I let her brush her teeth to get her to cooperate. Too funny 🙂
Rosalie Goldner- May says
Hello, I love your blog and I have commented before. I need to have ideas for school in the morning.
p.s.I am 11 so too old for high pigtails but nothing too tricky. I can French braid and . I can do everything except updos
Any Ideas???
The Mom says
Hi! Have you checked out our “quick & easy” styles? Or check out our hair gallery for every style we’ve ever done. You can browse through hundreds of pictures showing every hairstyle and you can pick which you think will work best for you. Anything that has braids in it is great for school I think!
Rosalie Goldner-May says
thanks so much i love it