Re: hair rinsing (can be fun!)

[Guest guest]

Just got in from a New Years Eve party and I'm still wide

awake...and since this topic appears to be so popular from 2003 to

2004 thought I'd share my quick 2 cents to make this my first

message of 2004!

Not that I don't believe in sensory integration dysfunction -I have

a child (Tanner) that still has it even though he's overcome much of

it...but hating to get hair washed, cut and styled as a child -even

to the point of screaming and tantrums is not unusual even

in " normal " kids. Of course some will argue " but perhaps all these

normal kids have some DSI too " ...it's too late to argue that so...if

any of the following tips help -then who cares what you call it even

if it's not anything but " my son hates getting his hair washed or

cut " which is what most parents of " normal " kids call it.

Here is an oldie but a goodie suggestion from when my brother,

sister and I were toddlers -a plastic ring that fit around our head

that blocked water from our eyes and ears while our hair was washed -made us

look like little

baby sunflowers or something. We even have a baby picture or two

wearing this plastic ring -and yes we all look silly cute. Searched

quick online and found something like it that still exists today -a

blast from the past that's updated to look like a visor!

http://www.babyproofingplus.com/item106.htm

And yes Kathy -my son Dakota (the one that doesn't have DSI) HATED

getting his hair rinsed as a toddler because he hates water in his

eyes or ears. We would count to three and pour water over his head

while he held a dry washcloth up to his face just like you did -and

that worked to a point. To a point because once the washcloth got

wet Dakota would freak out. So I figured out something that worked

really well. I purchased some of those foam bathtime fun toys that

stick to the walls. I put one of them that looked like a coyote on

the ceiling of the tub...when it was time to rinse Dakota's (and

then Tanner's) hair I would say " look up at the coyote " and Dakota's

head would go straight back to look up at the coyote -and as I

said " keep looking up at the coyote - keep looking at the coyote " I

would rinse him quick, remind him to still keep his head back until

I handed him the washcloth -and before he looked down he would put

the wash cloth over his face and then when he put his head

down....it would stay dry and he'd be happy -his hair would be

washed and we would be happy. After awhile I only had to say " look

up at the coyote " even when he wasn't taking a bath at home and he

would keep his head back. The next step when older that worked

better was teaching them to put their heads back in the tub water.

I started doing " roosters " or " ears " etc. on top of their heads with

their hair when it was shampooed which also helped make them forget

they were supposed to hate getting their hair washed -we would all

be laughing. After awhile they couldn't wait to see " who can make

the funnier hair style? " and they would stand and look in the mirror

and each other and laugh.

Dakota is now 9 and he needs to shower with a towel handy for when

the water gets into his eyes. Of course in the pool or ocean the

water in his eyes is never a problem...which I remind him of. Go

figure!

Not to change the subject but did any of you try the 's Super

Sudzer " EZ Grip Soap " ?

http://www.epinions.com/_s_Kids_Super_Sudzer_E-Z_Grip_Soap_-_Watermelon_E\

xplosion

I always look for things to make bathtime more fun! It's hard to

keep crying when you are laughing.

Here are just a few of the tons of links of suggestions for this

very common problem...and Happy 2004 again!!

http://www.babycenter.com/dilemma/toddler/toddlerbehavior/1187472.html

http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/buckingham/483/article/hairwash.html

http://www.parentcenter.com/refcap/health/wellness/78931.html

http://www.canadianparents.com/articles/feature73h.htm

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/toddler/hairbrush.html

http://www.drspock.com/discussion/message/0,1812,111366,00.html

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