My daughter will be seven on Tuesday of this week and I tried to get her to brush her own hair yesterday because we were in a hurry. She ran the brush through her hair real rough and was crying and screaming and saying I can't do it, I can't do it. it was completely obvious that she wasn't even trying. How can I get her to at least try to learn how to do it since it would help out so much? Am I rushing her to grow up or is she at the age where she should be at least trying to do it on her own? I don't expect her to do it perfectly, I just expect her to TRY to learn... so do you think my expectations of her are to high or do you think she is just being lazy/spoiled?!
2007-03-18 05:04:41 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
You should require her to try to do it on her own, but don't expect too much at this age. My 7-year-old daughter and her friends all brush their own hair if forced, but they don't really care about it at this age. My wife and I smile about how they all have that same slightly ratty look :-)
Don't worry, in less than two years she probably will be a hair styling expert and looking at herself in the mirror a lot.
One other idea: if she has very long hair it may be genuinely frustrating for her to try to style it at this age: using a good conditioner will help. Also consider taking her to get a short sassy cut that is easier for her to manage.
Good luck!
2007-03-18 05:16:52 · answer #1 · answered by Independent 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was about 3 or 4 when she starting learning how to brush her hair. Somedays she has to be reminded that she needs to try again. On the days that I notice that she does a super job, I tell her she looks stunning. She isn't able to pull it into a high pony tail or braid it yet. Now that she is almost 7 she does pull a headband on, gather it in a scrunchie at the base of her neck, or put some cute barrettes in her hair. I don't think that you are asking too much, or expecting her to grow up so fast. About a year ago my daughter went through this phase when she didn't want to brush her hair and refused to let anyone do it for her, so I told her that she had 24 hours to do something with it, or we were going to get it cut off. Her hair got cut, and now she is always willing to brush her hair.
2007-03-18 19:50:04 · answer #2 · answered by Someonesmommy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to install self-confidance in her. And giving her the brush and telling her to hurry up is not going to help. When you have some time to take your time, sit down and brush her hair and offer to let her brush it. Give her positive feedback and help her problem solve when she gets to tangles. You may have to help her out for a bit, but always let her try... especially if she asks. And make sure it's always a positive experience... don't let her feel that she can't do it. Have her practice on her dolls or on you while you play "beauty shop" or something. Kids learn best through doing... so give her plenty of chances to learn!
2007-03-18 14:52:33 · answer #3 · answered by j_mo83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Key in on the fact that you were in a hurry. She was under pressure, you were late and making her upset by forcing something on her that she sees you do perfect each day. Why not sit down with her when you have a lot of time and teach her rather than execting her to know how to do it It takes practice and the worst way to do things is to rush children through things. I'm sure you didn't potty train her while you were late going somewhere. Every thing takes time! Buy her a neat book on ways to do your own hair or, American Girls have books that teach girls about friends, feelings and their bodies. The best book is called "the Care and Keeping of your Body" I attached a link. I have a 12 year old step daughter who I gave this book to many years ago and she still references it. It talkes about hair care,, washing, etc. Perhaps your daughter will benifit from it.
Good luck!
2007-03-18 16:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by schmidtee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 girls. Age 6 and 8. They both have been brushing their own hair from 4 years old. It is not the fact that she can't brush her hair. She was being rushed and was not taught proper how to bush her hair. All of us have really long hair. We pull our hair to one side starting at the bottom and work up. That way when you bush out tangles it does not hurt. the we put our hair on the other side and do the same.Also try bushing your hair at the same time. Then when she gets good at it she can do it her self. With out your supervision.
experience
2007-03-18 12:18:13 · answer #5 · answered by kindly 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 4 years old and she has her own brush. I let her "brush" her hair then I go over it. It is a grooming habit just like brushing your teeth. She feels like she is making a contribution and she is. I let her decide if she wants to wear it up or down(personally I prefer it in a ponytail less hassle). At your daughter's age she should be able to brush it free of tangles and make a relaxed ponytail. Have her brush her hair in the morning and right before she goes to bed.
2007-03-18 17:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by momof3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem.. My daughter is 71/2 and so lazy ! She freaks when I brush her hair.. but when she brushes her hair she only does the front. I threaten to chop off her hair. And I try to teach her how to brush her hair. But she has no intentions to do it herself! My daughter wants to be a girlie girl. And is but only with the help of me and its always a fight! good luck MAMA and I will be reading your responses!
2007-03-18 13:05:58 · answer #7 · answered by Julie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My four year old brushes her own hair, but it just hits her shoulders and is layered. Plus, it doesn't tangle easily. She can't pull it up herself or do anything aside from brush it out, but she can do that. I'd make your daughter at least brush it out before you go in to pull it up, braid it, etc.
2007-03-18 13:03:04 · answer #8 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well at that age i had long tangled hair so it hurt to brush it. my mom did it and i cried and screamed and everything. is her hair like that? try using conditioner or detangler. when i cut my hair shorter, i could brush it so i started brushing it myself around age 9. your expectations are not too high. just show her how it's done.
2007-03-18 12:15:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im pretty sure I started in Grade 4, but dont wait too long. Last week I saw an old teenager asking "Mommy can you brush my hair?"
2007-03-18 15:49:45 · answer #10 · answered by cosmo_girl! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋