she is always twirling it and it gets knotted up in the same place like 2 or 3 times a day. so i have to sit there and untangle it and she is fighting me the whole time and of course her hair is getting ripped in the knot. geez, this child! anybody know how i can get her to stop? you would think the time it takes me to untangle it would be discipline enough. she is almost 2 and a half.
2007-10-04 06:28:05 · 11 answers · asked by saveit 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You have to replace it with another behavior.
Get her a small square of silk.
Something very nice to the touch, that she can "rub" on when she needs comforting.
The twirling is a fidgeting, comforting coping tactic.
Decorate the square, put some lace around it or a pretty patch of some sort.
Everytime you see her twirling, pull her hand down, say no...and say...."here....feel the square." It takes approximately 21 days to "break" a habit, but Dr. Phil says we never really break them, we just replace them with something else.
2007-10-04 06:33:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Toddler Hair Twirling
2016-12-11 17:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by zagel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop trying to stop her.
This behavior is a comfort thing. For some reason she feels the need to do this. Pay attention to what she is doing when she twirls. If she is watching tv, it is probably a sign of boredom. Turn the tv off and do something with her. Play a game of memory or read a book, or play something else she loves.
If you let this become a control issue between the two of you, you will never win, and you are setting yourself up for a lot of future trouble. Just try to chill...and take the emphasis off the twirling and put it back on your daughter's state of mind.
2007-10-04 06:39:11 · answer #3 · answered by notmuchofacook 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
be glad that she doesn't suck her thumb or bite her nails, those behaviors will cost you big bucks at the orthodontist
I twirled my hair when I was a kid and I still do when I am tired or stuck in crazy traffic. It is just one of those things that she will grow out of. If you really want her to stop, tell her you will cut her hair short if she doesn't stop. and if she doesn't, get it cut shorter. she will most likely be more aware of what she is doing after the first cut.
I used to kick and scream when my mom tried to brush my long fine hair a s a girl. she said that having long hair was a responsibility and if I didn't want to take care of it, she would cut it off. Well next time I had a fit, she took me to the hairdresser and gave me a pixie cut at age 4. I learned my lesson and I take very good care of my hair. everyday. Good luck!
2007-10-04 06:57:57 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a very common "fetish" for a child, and a lot of them never outgrow it. I guess they just find it comforting. Some will only do it when they are going to sleep and there are others that will do it when they are nervous about something. One of my sons used to do it alot....even gave himself a bald spot for a while. He doesn't do it so much anymore, but he still likes hair and will come up and touch mine sometimes when it's wet just because he likes the way it feels. He's 10 now! Anyway, you could try getting her hair cut so it wouldn't knot up so easily, other than that, you are just going to have to get used to brushing it out. It's soothing for her to play with it.
2007-10-04 06:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by xxxxxxxx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if I would "make" her stop. But I do know that a few children that I've know that do that have done it cause its a comfort thing. Just like having a special blanket or something. My niece holds onto her mom's ear loab and rubs it in her hand and she only does it when she's uncomfortable or when she's tired. So, maybe its a comfort issue. Maybe when you try to untangle it use some leave-in-conditioner so its not so painful.
2007-10-04 17:45:44 · answer #6 · answered by brekkennsky2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could try putting her hair in a pony tail or braid. If that doesn't work you might just have to keep brushing it. I used to twirl my hair too. Not an easy habit to stop.
2007-10-04 06:32:06 · answer #7 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put it up out of her reach and give her something else to keep her hands busy with, like a bear or doll. Let her brush the doll's hair.
2007-10-04 06:36:20 · answer #8 · answered by wife2denizmoi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I twirled my hair into my teens. For me it was the need to do something with my hands. Provide her with something else to do with her hands. You could also get her one of those big doll heads maybe she could play with the dolls hair.
2007-10-04 06:58:55 · answer #9 · answered by littlemisscontroverse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a habit, like nail biting or thumb sucking. You may need to get her hair cut to break her of it. Good luck!
2007-10-04 06:36:19 · answer #10 · answered by parental unit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋