Little Boy Haircut Tips: A Mom’s Guide Part 1

I have been giving my boys haircuts for years. It started as a desperate attempt to save money, but now it just makes sense.

I had to do some YouTube self-teaching to feel comfortable giving my little boys haircuts, but it wasn’t long before I mastered one particular haircut. I don’t know what it is called. It’s the only one I know how to do. I can do it long, and I can do it short. But I can’t really do anything else.

Little Dumpling arrived with a buzz cut. After a few weeks, it grew. And grew. I would either have to take him somewhere or cut it myself.

His development and behavior challenges meant that a trip to the salon would not end well. I decided to try to cut it myself. What’s the worst that can happen? I would just have to follow up with a buzzer and give him a buzz cut, right?

As it turns out…..I CAN do my “little boy cut,” even on a wiggly toddler. Here are my tips for giving a haircut to a little boy with behavior challenges.

• Plan on it taking a huge chunk of time. Do not be hurried: This isn’t the time to be rushed. Schedule haircuts when your little guy is well-rested and happy. Avoid nap times, hungry tummies, or times when he might be feeling cranky. Plan on spending a good chunk of time – perfection isn’t the goal; a calm and happy kid is!
• Don’t use good scissors: Traditional (AKA sharp!) beauty scissors can be dangerous when you don’t know what you’re doing. Opt for blunt-tipped Fiskars from the kids’ craft drawer or school backpack. The more crayon marks and glue stick residue, the better.
• Dry Hair is Easier: Cutting wet hair requires some skill. When you’re a newbie in haircutting, stick with dry hair so you can see what you are doing.
• Contain the mess to the bathroom: Keep your little man entertained with his favorite bathroom-friendly toys and a bathtub to splash during breaks. I do all hair cutting in the bathroom with a tub to get in as soon as the process is finished.
• One snip at a time : Don’t stress about perfection! Focus on making small, quick cuts rather than taking forever with slow snips. A slightly uneven cut won’t be a disaster.

Dealing with Itch and Wiggles:

• Hair all over? Take frequent breaks to vacuum or brush off hair clippings that might be causing itchiness.
• Need a break? No problem! If your little guy is getting restless, take a break for a bath or change of scenery.
• Keep the process it enjoyable. You can always start and stop and go back to fix it later as long as he has not associated the process with dread and unpleasantness.

Bonus Tip: YouTube is a great resource for finding simple haircut tutorials for boys. There might be another “mom-friendly haircut” out there that works even better for you and your little man.

For photographic inspiration, check out 60 Cute Little Boy Haircuts by Anthony Giannotti (published May 18, 2023, at MensHairStylesToday.com).

The “Little Boy Cut” – Simple & Effective:

Following these tips and embracing a “good enough” mentality can turn haircut day from a struggle into a regular routine to look forward to.