Need some help ladies!

[Allentwins]

Okay, Blane needs a hair cut & needs to go to the dentist. Right this minute, we need to go get his hair cut. It is in his eyes and half way down his ears (which seem to bother him while he is wearing his hearing aids). We go to this little place on the side of old family grocery store. It is one lady about 45-50 years old. She is wonderful. She cuts my husband's hair and both boys. We have always had problems with Blane getting his hair cut but this past time was awful (been doing it for over a year). He acted worse in there than at the doctor. We could not hold him where she could cut it (me & my husband). I felt so bad for him but I can't put it back in a ponytail and he won't wear a hat. I don't know what to do. I tell him what we are doing, but he does not understand. I bring toys, food, drink, she has a TV, etc... She gives him combs, curlers, etc... Me and my husband sing to him, he watches his brother sit up there and do good. Nothing is working. Neither one of us know how to cut hair. My husband's hair needs cut every 2 weeks and that is how Blane is too. Dylan could go a month or so (he also wears hats) and he is the one who will sit there. My husband wants to cut it himself, but I don't want him too. Any advise????????????? Please help me!

Then the dentist. Both boys need to go, they have never been. It will not matter if Dylan sits there and does great, Blane will not understand. He has oral sensory issues. He still eats baby food, only puts certain types of food in his mouth (but usually doesn't chew & swallow), he HATES getting his teeth brushed (we have to hold him down), etc... Our OT & I are working on the sensory issue but it is still there for now. They will be 3 in Feb. I have HORRIBLE teeth and I know they need to get checked out. The only good thing is my husband has good teeth so maybe they will take after him with that. LOL! Any advise would be great. We have one ped dentist in town. Of course, he is not taking medicaid right now but that is fine. I guess I could just go in and talk to him about Blane and see what he says.

Thanks.

[supposedlysusan]

Hair cuts use to be nightmare affairs for us too. I found a good, albeit pricey kids cuts place, bring another adult who isn't easily scared off to help with Abby while I hold her in my lap, and then tip like a millionaire. After they turned 4 it got much better. Emma Jean is perfect for the stylist and Abby does a good job controlling herself and keeping her anxiety supressed for the duration.
We just did the dentist for the first time. :o I was too chicken until now. :o:o
We talked about it a lot, role-played (I put toothbrushes in their mouthes while they reclined to practice) and found a pediatric dentist who takes great care with his special needs patients. :throb: I made their appointments on separate days and did not bring both of them. Emma Jean was first and did fine. After witnessing what the appointment would entail, we decided to pre-medicate Abby with a diazapam suppository to help her relax during the exam. She did very well. Without the meds though, I am certain it would have been a disaster.
:xfingers: Best wishes for ya'll. Have you spoken to his SLP or OT about this upcoming visit?

[supposedlysusan]

Also, many parents of boys who have similar issues go for the buzz cut. It is fast and it buys time between cuts.

[Mymiracles]

My situation was not like yours but when my son first started getting haircuts he did not like having someone mess with his hair.... AT ALL! We ended up buying a spray bottle at the store and giving that to him only when he was getting his haircut. He loved squirting that thing in his mouth and was just fascinated by it.
A buzz cut would probably be a good idea. He could go a lot longer in between cuts. It's also a much faster process than a haircut.

[Allentwins]

Okay, Chad trimmed Blane's hair (bangs, sides and back) with his beard trimmer tonight. Blane went crazy. Me and my mother in law had to hold him down. But it looks a lot better, but does need to be evened out some. I guess before Christmas pictures, I will let Chad trim again and then maybe take him to the lady that normally does it to even it out. Thanks for the help. As far as the dentist, I am going to wait a couple more months and then get an appointment to talk to the ped dentist.

[lsutigerfan]

Hi! Peyton also goes nuts when his hair is cut. We cut his when he sleeps with clippers. He has the cutest crew cut you have ever seen. we do one side then gently turn him over and do the other. When he wakes up we fight him to get it even but that takes just a minute. I will try to put a picture on so you can see it.
I am not brave enough to do the dentist. I keep making appiontments and canceling them. We are almost 3 and i know we should go but i'm going to put it off as long as i can. if you go to the dentist let me know how it goes, (LOL) Leigh

[mommy_05]

Actually believe it or not it is very frustrating to the hairdresser that has to deal w/ childern like this. I however try and talk to them while I cut I tell them I wont hurt them and that it doesnt hurt to cut your hair. I always have lollys and other sorts of candy in my drawer and tell them if they let me cut their hair they may have one. Sometimes I have the parent hold the child and if its really bad I have them hold their head still by grasping the childs chin and restraining their arms so they dont push away. Yes, of course they will scream but it does do the job!! Hope this may help. Otherwise get your self an at home set of clippers and give him a buzz cut!!!

[LOCOmom]

Hi sweetie!!!

I agree with the premedication Susan talked about. I work as a nurse at an MR DD facility and we use premeds all of the time with great results. Try Benadryl as an OTC option first and then talk to your DR about an as-needed valium for major appointments with the dentist, shots or haircuts. Haircuts can seem very scary too. When you get good results with a pre-med, whoop it up with lots of positive reinforcement and taper down as needed. Have you thought of desensitization?
Try talking to a local salon who will let him come in say once a week. Maybe at first it will be just to get through the door, then move to sitting in the chair, then move to putting on a cape, then move to wetting the hair with the sprayer and combing his hair. Sytematic exposure allows him to be comfortable at his own pace. Also having one special toy that he could associate with the salon each time could help too. It is long and tedious, but will allow him to be in control of his own feelings and desensitization works! It just takes consistency.
Have your ruled out sensory problems like extreme tender headedness? Just another thought.

If these have already been said, I appologize. Hugs to you. It is not easy to deal with when you have something to be done. Good luck!