How To Convince Your Child That Brushing Their Hair Isn't Murder

For kids with long hair, it's helpful to brush out the ends of the hair first, holding it a handful at a time near the base of the scalp. I learned this trick with my stepdaughter, and it even changed the way I brush my own hair.

You don't get the pulling sensation on your scalp that comes when the knots start to resist the brush or comb going through. That's really the painful part, and by taking it away you can have a much more pleasant hairstyling experience.

Kids love to pick out their own stuff. Clothes, bedding, toothbrushes — you name it, they want to pick it out. The same goes for hair brushes and styling tools.

A former hairstylist turned school teacher tells Romper that her best advice for kids who don't want their hair brushed is to "let them take ownership." Take them to the store, let them pick out a cute comb, a brush in their favorite color, and detangling spray that smells like bubblegum. Chances are you'll have more successes and less struggles that way.

Several moms Romper spoke with admitted that a good detangling spray is an absolute must for kids who hate having their hair brushed. "It lets the brush slide through the hair so much easier," one mom says. Another mom tells Romper that she calls her kid's tangle spray "hairspray" to convince her to let her mom spray it down before brushing.

Nickie, mom to a 6-year-old competition dancer, says that it took a little bit of trickery to get her daughter to agree to let her brush her tender head and style her hair into the required updos for dance. "She has 'no tear' shampoo, and I told her that meant there would be no tears when brushing," Nickie tells Romper. Absolutely genius.

With some kids (toddlers especially), hair brushing is just like anything else — a power struggle. They want to do things on their own and assert their independence, so even though they might not do the best job, it can be helpful to let them at least have a go at it.

One mom tells Romper that she used to take turns with her daughter when she first started protesting having her hair brushed. Their "turn" may end up adding a few extra minutes to their hair care routine, but if it decreases the tears and tantrums even by a little bit, it's worth it.

As someone who has naturally curly hair that was extremely thick and unruly as a child, I can personally attest to the literal pain that happens when your mom yanks an old-school round brush through your curls as they knot up in protest. It is not fun.

If your kid has silky smooth hair, this might not be an issue, but understanding what type of hair brush or comb that works best for your child's hair can make all the difference to a kid with thick curls. Your hairdresser can definitely help guide you in the right direction and explain which brushes and products will work best for your child's hair type and make the experience less of a struggle.

Erika, mom to 2-year-old Ellee, says that when her daughter puts up a fight about hair brushing, she's usually able to convince her by telling her she just wants her to feel good. "Sometimes she doesn't want me to fix her hair, but if I show her a bow and ask her if she wants to put a bow in her hair, she immediately wants me to fix her hair," Erika says.

If your girl isn't a fan of bows, this tip might not work for you, but if they happen to love topping off their look with a matching ribbon or two, it can help.