A first haircut does not need to be a big production, and it does not need to end with a finished haircut, either. A little planning around timing, language and expectations goes a long way towards making it a good experience rather than a stressful one — for your child and for you.

Choose the time of day carefully

Avoid scheduling around naps, and try not to bring a child in hungry. A well-rested, fed child who is not fighting sleep is far more likely to sit still, even briefly, than one who is overtired. Mid-morning tends to work well for a lot of families, but you know your child’s rhythm better than any general rule.

Talk about it beforehand, in plain words

Simple, honest language works better than surprises. Something like “we’re going to get your hair trimmed a little, you’ll sit in a special chair, and it might feel a bit ticklish” gives a child something to expect without over-explaining. Avoid words that sound alarming out of context, and avoid promising it will not feel like anything at all — a little sensation is normal, and saying otherwise can undermine trust if they do notice something.

Consider a practice run

If your child is anxious about new places, a short visit beforehand with no appointment attached can help — walking in, saying hello, maybe sitting in a chair for a minute. There is no pressure to have a haircut happen that day. Familiarity with the room and the chair alone can take the edge off the real appointment.

What to bring

  • A favourite small toy or comfort object.
  • A snack, especially for appointments that might run a little long.
  • A phone or tablet with a favourite show, if screens are part of your routine.

Sitting on a parent’s lap is completely fine for a first visit, and often makes a real difference for younger children who are not ready to sit alone.

Sound and sensation

Clippers, in particular, can startle children who have not heard them up close before. If your child is sensitive to sound, it is worth mentioning that in advance so scissors can be used where possible, or so the clippers can be switched on at a distance first and introduced gradually rather than suddenly.

It is fine for the first visit to be partial

If a child gets restless, upset, or simply decides they are done, a shorter trim than planned — or no trim at all beyond a quick tidy of the fringe — is a perfectly good outcome for a first visit. Building a positive association matters more than finishing a full haircut in one sitting. There is always a next appointment.

Avoid a surprise first haircut

It is worth resisting the urge to make a first haircut into a spontaneous, unannounced stop. Children generally do better with some warning and a little context than with being placed in an unfamiliar chair without explanation, even if the appointment itself ends up being brief.

Keep expectations low, for everyone

A calm, cooperative first haircut is a bonus, not a baseline. Some children take to it immediately; others need two or three visits before they settle into it. Neither is a problem, and neither says anything about how future appointments will go.

Visiting Mary’s Salon with children

Mary’s Salon is a women-only salon on Ridgeland Ave in Oak Lawn that is genuinely good for kids, with a restroom on site, and we welcome families from Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Burbank, Bridgeview, Hometown, Worth, Alsip and Palos Hills. We are closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM; check hours and directions before you head over. Booking is by phone rather than an online form — call (708) 351-5110 and mention it is a first haircut so we can plan the timing with you. Read more about haircuts for children and adults.

Once the haircut is done, a little care goes a long way — see tips on making styling last longer, and if a wax appointment is also on your mind for yourself, here is what to know before a first waxing appointment.