Tear-free trims

A child's first haircut can be a scary experience. Try these tips for tear-free trims.

• Choose a salon that caters to kids. Whimsical chairs and lots of toys will make the experience more enticing to a nervous toddler. If you don't have a children's salon in your area, ask other parents to recommend a stylist who works well with kids.

• Take your child to meet the stylist at least once before the big day, suggests Sherry of Melonhead: Kids Cuts and Stuff, a children's haircutting salon in Toronto. As well, take her with you when you have your hair cut so she knows what's involved.

• "Some kids go off the deep end as soon as they hear the word cut," says Sherry. Use the word trim instead, or say, "We're going to make your hair pretty, then put in sparkles and pony tails."

• If necessary, sit your youngster on your lap and let the stylist work around you.

• If your tot is too terrified to sit through a professional haircut, do it yourself. Put him in a high chair; use blunt-ended scissors and dampen his hair with a mister filled with water. If you can only get in a few snips, that's OK; offer lots of praise and try again another day.