With three boys I'm thinking of cutting their hair myself. It will save money and time. They've gotten some pretty bad haircuts the past few months- at $12 a cut it's frustrating. I have clippers- but I assume I'll need some sissors and directions. How difficult is it to do? Any pointers?

By Enchens on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 03:28 pm:

We actually invested in a Robocut. It's like the flowbee and it's already paid for itself. You can find it online. My husband has used it on his hair three times and we've used it on the two boys twice. It's much easier and faster than using scissors, which is what we did before with plenty of tears and moving and having grandma do it. (I have cut their hair and it was pretty bad! lol) Then again my boys are 1 and 3. I don't know how old yours are.

By Karen~admin on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 03:36 pm:

Tried it once and it was a disaster. LOL I've known families who swear by the Flowbees!

By Kaye on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 04:42 pm:

I often clip my son's hair. So a couple of secrets. Don't do the bangs with the clippers, they will be too short for the rest of the hair. Start with the back and work up. If you have one of the small clippers that is easiest to do right around the ear and the neck line. If not you have to take the guard off and be careful. Honestly start with your you stillest son and use a long blade attachment, it is easier to go shorter if you don't like it!

I pretty much clip all the hair, minus bangs the same length, but I have done the sides shorter and then just blended it in to the top. It isn't hard it just takes some practice.

By Tink on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 05:12 pm:

My dh does his own and my ds's hair and does a great job of it. I think Kaye's given you all the pointers that I've picked up from dh. I'll just re-emphasize the "start long, you can always go shorter" part of her post.

By Mia on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 11:09 am:

I have 3 boys too. I bought a haircutting kit a couple years ago and use it all the time, even on my dh. It has good directions, several numbered 'combs' to attach to the clipper, including one for around each ear, scissors, oil, a small battery operated razor thing for sideburns and neck hair, small hair combs, a cape, etc. - everything I need. I think I spent about $20 for it at Walmart or Walgreens, some place like that.

But I stick pretty much with crew cut type cuts - though with the #'d combs I can do different lengths and easily blend layers. I agree with starting out with a long cut - the first time I used it on dh I made him nearly bald

By Jjb on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 09:17 am:

I did it!! Last night I used a haircutting kit my husband had bought a few years ago (I didn't realize he even had it). I did all three kids...and thanks to all your very helpful advice they look pretty good. There are a few rough spots, but nothing worse than what they've gotten for haircuts I've paid for. I used the 4 blade-- just to be safe. It's longer than normal, but better too long than too short. I feel like I saved $40 with very little effort. Even our 21 month old climbed in the chair asking to get his hair cut- it was pretty funny. I wasn't planning on doing his hair. Thank you for all your help.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 04:19 pm:

Awww. I'm glad it worked out for you!

By Jjb on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 11:06 am:

Quick question....how do you keep the hair off their necks? My kids were so itchy from it. Do you have a cape or do you use a towel?? My 4 year old has sensory issues so it was a bit of a problem for him. Thanks!

By Kate on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:27 pm:

I would pin a towel around their necks. Also, you can give them a bath right afterwards to get rid of ALL the little stray hairs. They don't all fall off the head during a cut, many get 'stuck' on the remaining hair and continue to then fall off throughout the day. My DH always goes straight from getting his hair cut to the bathroom to shower away the strays.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 02:36 pm:

I hate that, too, and usually end up changing my clothes, when I get home from the beauty shop.

By Tink on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 04:34 pm:

My dh throws a towel around my ds's neck but he gets in the shower right after my dh is done. He has sensory issues too so any bit of hair will have him wiggling the rest of the day.

By Jjb on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 05:30 pm:

Good ideas, thanks. I did put them in the shower right after the cut- he had issues with the hair falling on his neck and itching. It didn't stick so much to his neck at the barbers- but then I had very little idea what I was doing. I think I'll try pinning the towel next time. Thanks again!