Short or long hair for 6 yo DD with super tangly hair?

[Anonymous]

My kid cut off all of her hair and we had to basically go the full pixie. About a year later, it's about the length of the pictures.

The pixie pros is that it's so easy to deal with. Even now with a shaggy bob we have to style it. It's not like her hair just falls neatly. I use a bit of water and a wet brush even now to get the tangles out.

Also, the hair is constantly in her face. I did mini braids, but I'd recommend bangs if you DD isn't going to grow it out like mine.

[Anonymous]

My deal with both my kids (boy 10 and girl 7.5) who both have super thick, wavy hair, is that if they want to wear it long, they either have to take care of it themselves or not put up a fuss when I take care of it, otherwise it gets chopped. My son's hair is growing out now (after several short cuts because he was not taking care of it) and he's finally to a point where he will brush it on his own and not complain. It looks bizarre sometimes when he's done with it, but, eh, as long as it's clean and brushed I figure it's his head. Sometimes I will put some hair product in his hair to keep it from looking too crazy and hold the curl (picture day, Christmas), but otherwise I figure he'll care on his own eventually what it looks like.

My daughter had a bob, but missed her ponytails, so we grew it out again. While she still sometimes needs me to help get the tangles out, keeping it in braids or ponytails most of the time helps. We use LOTS of conditioner when they shower (about every 3rd night). Then it gets brushed out and in a pony tail or braid. She sleeps with it wet, and in the morning I only need to finger comb it and it looks good. If she wears it down to school, we brush it out at night, and it goes back up in a pony tail. She doesn't fight me on brushing it as much anymore.

FWIW, I have long curly hair and I never brush it, it would hurt like hell and look a frizzy mess, so I get where my kids are coming from! I sleep with it up, use a wide tooth comb in the shower with conditioner. On the days I don't shower, I put it up in a bun or braid and am fortunate this still looks decent.

[Anonymous]

My daughter keeps her hair braided while sleeping. That helps with the tangles.

[Anonymous]

Cut it! But your daughter is old enough that she should be brought into the conversation, ideally let her think it was her idea. I have a 5yo who went from hair long enough to nearly sit on, to chin length. Basically I convinced her that she could only wear her hair to school in braids because it was too much work to untangle (30min a night if not braided). I talked up how she could wear her hair down EVeRY Day if it was chin length and then asked her what she wanted to do. Everyone fussed and told her how great she looked after, and she loves it. It's been a month, and she still makes jokes about asking me to brush through her hair. (Because she knows she doesn't need more than 2-3 strokes.) life is too short to argue about hair every day.

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 yo with fine wavy hair. She has worn glasses with a strap in the back and the strap would always be in the way. Plus she hated having her hair detangled and any kind of bow or barette or hair tie. I gave her bangs so her haor didn't have to be tied up, and a chin length bob. She is ADORABLE if I do say so myself. And she looks different than the other kids, as if it was intentionally for style when really it was the most practical.

[Anonymous]

DD asked for a haircut. We ended up cutting about 6 inches off. She has been sporting this bob for a little over a year and loves it. It's so much easier for her to take care of, and she doesn't have to wear it up every day (her school suggested that due to lice issues).

[Anonymous]

yes short. I had a short bob as a kid for this exact reason. Now I will admit that I was always envious of my sister's long hair.

[Anonymous]

If your child has naturally tangled hair cutting into a bob won't help. It will still look a mess and be tangled up after a few hours. I much prefer longer hair.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has the same hair. We usually let it get long once a year but generally do a short bob. Very happy with it!

[Anonymous]

I have super tangly hair. Shorter = less tangles, for sure. They'll still be there but are easier to get out. Are you using a detangling spray? My child also has below shoulder length with tangly curls; I get all tangles out after washing/conditioning, but other times I'll also spray a light detangler through it when dry and brush before bed. In the morning, it looks fine and has no obvious tangles...those come after a day of play and such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a satin pillowcase.

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This. And using the right products will make a big difference. Check out curly girl.

[Anonymous]

Use a good conditioner, comb through with a wide tooth comb when wet, and then blow dry completely. Don't give your daughter an ugly cut because you're lazy.

[Anonymous]

Keep it long and braid it before bed. Get her a satin pillowcase so it won't get matted up overnight. That's the only way to make it work. Short hair when you have tangly hair with ringlets at the neck is a nightmare. My parents tried that on me and my elementary years were miserable.

[Anonymous]

DD just got a pixie cut for this very reason. She loves it. Some kids at school did tease her for having a boy haircut, but she doesn't care.