For some reason none of my kids liked getting their hair cut in a shop when they were young. That is an understatement. They all hated it! At first I tried to reason with them and find ways to make it appealing, but I was unsuccessful. Even bribes didn’t work.
Then I realized that cutting their hair at home wasn’t that hard and I was saving a couple hundred dollars a year. So I stopped trying to coerce them into having it cut by a professional and embraced home hair cuts.
My tips for cutting kid’s hair:
Instead of a cape, I use one of my husbands old dress shirts. I put it on backward on my child and buttoned it down the back. I stuff a hand towel around the top, so that hair doesn’t slip into the gap at the neckline.
I usually have my kids sit on a stool outside. This allows me easy access to all sides of their hair. This also prevents hair clippings from getting all over the house when someone walks through the pile on the floor.
I give my kids a lollipop while I am cutting their hair. They can’t pull it out to complain or hair will get on their lollipop. Evil, yes I know, but it works.
I try to catch as much of the hair as I can or at least deflect it with my hand, so it doesn’t fall on their face. But some times it still does, so I have a couple of damp wash cloths ready in advance. I let my kids hold one over their face when I am cutting the hair in front. I have a couple extra in case we have to wipe any hair that is bothering them off their face.
How to Cut Boy’s Hair
I used the same technique as in this tutorial to cut both of my boy’s hair. It uses a combination of clippers and scissors. I think it produces a very clean and neat cut. I have even used this technique on my husband.
Basic Hair Cut for Girls (Medium or Long Length)
For many years I cut my daughter’s hair using the techniques listed below.
Video Tutorial: How to cut bangs on kids to save money between haircuts
Video Tutorial: How to cut long hair straight across
I gave my daughter a straight cut across the back of her long hair and then trimmed her bangs. I had to cut her bangs every 6 – 8 weeks, but I could go longer periods of time between cutting the back of her hair.
If you have to go to a salon, use these tips to save money on haircuts.
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Kay says
I have never taken my kids to a barbershop or hairdressers. I have 3 boys and 1 husband so you can see how quickly a trip to the salon would add up. I invested in a £10 pair of clippers and went for it. They lasted me a year when the boys were young and didn’t need haircut so often. Then I invested in a pair for £20 which were better but for cordless they didn’t hold their charge for long. I need cordless clippers for 3 wriggle worms. So now I have invested in £50 clippers and with all the practice I have had over the 12 years, cutting their hair is quicker and I can cut their hair how they like ( I have a 9yo and he thinks he’s “it” and always wants the latest trend hairstyle). I say go for it and if you mess up, don’t worry hair grows back. It never really is that bad. My son cut his own hair once, but I was able to save it!
Diane says
I took the plunge and started cutting my boys hair at home this Spring. I was hesitant at first, but my boyfriend who cuts my hair said he would help me through it. Net result is that the haircuts came out great, better than at the barbershop. And between the costs of haircuts, travel to and from the barbershop, I will be saving hundreds each year. My boys are very comfortable with the home haircuts, they didn’t like the barbershop much. I guess they get it from me, I never liked trips to the salon either.