Monday, January 10, 2011

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let's Wash Your Hair

I wonder how Rapunzel washed her hair.  If it were me toting along a quarter mile of those luxurious tresses, I'd tilt my head out the window during a rainstorm.  Washing Samantha's hair has always been a dreaded event for me.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm a bad mommy for only washing her hair once a week, but seriously, it's just too much of a pain to do any more frequently.  I am pretty sure my mother and my husband are reading this and thinking, "See...if she'd only listen to me and get that poor child's hair cut she wouldn't have this problem!"  But it really doesn't have so much to do with the length of her hair as it does with the fact that until recently Samantha would never put her head back to allow me to rinse the soap out of her hair without getting sudsy water in her eyes, and she hates getting water in her face.  What to do, what to do?  I mean, she's been perfectly capable of putting her head back so my water-soaked washcloth could be squeezed over her hairline without issue - she'd proven it on many, many dry runs.  She'd even say (in missing-word, gramatically-incorrect Sammi-speak), "Look up, no water in your face!"  Okay, child, take your own advice, please!! 

I did say until recently, though.  She's gotten much better about it.  It's like one day it just clicked, and we've had blissfully tear-free bath times ever since.  See, the length of her hair doesn't have a thing to do with it!!    The length does have to do with the amount of time it takes to ensure it's dry enough for her to go to bed, though.  So hair-washing nights have to be carefully planned so she doesn't end up having to stay up too late.    It's also planned carefully from the time she wakes up on the morning of hair-washing day.  She's a creature of routine, quick to absorb the run-down of the day ahead, reciting it back to you throughout the day.  She likes to be prepared (activity transitions for people with Ds can often be challenging), so we do tell her from the get-go that I'll be washing her hair that evening.  Seriously, it actually makes her accept the inevitable, whether  it's something she's looking forward to (ie. a birthday party), or something she would ordinarily resist (ie. hair-washing).  For those of you with young children with Ds, please take routine to heart, and get your kids on a schedule or be sure to give them plenty of advance warning.  Then sit back and watch the meltdowns begin to disappear.  :-)

15 comments:

tekeal said...

hee hee... i definitely don't wash livia's hair more than once a week!! that means that her hair literally stays in pony-tails or braids the whole week... more specifically said: i RE-braid her dreaded hair almost everyday, cause she won't have us brushing it, and yes, the washing ( and conditioner plus finger-brushing through the dread/tangles is not so much fun and takes time and mama-patience ). but it's worth it, i think. rapunzel, rapunzel, don't cut your hair!

Rob Monroe said...

First - photos are amazing as always.

Second - if you are a bad parent, I'm right there with you. Once a week for us.

What we have ended up doing is a good rinse mid week, and wash her hair on Sunday morning. Then we don't have to worry with drying before bed, which is always annoying indeed.

Abby has made a routine out of the crying - it's not that she is in pain, but she has cried since her first birthday when her hair is being washed (she didn't have hair before that), so we have been able to talk through it a little. What we have done, and is bizarre, is that we ask her to laugh during the whole process.

She laughs and laughs right along with us! We have the occasional wince when it hurts her, but it has made things easier for all. My disclaimer on that, of course, is that it only works about every other time, and only I have have success with it. I love my wife, but her persistence is not on the high side when it comes to that stuff!

Cathleen said...

:) Lilly now puts her head back easily as well for hair washing - she used to practice making Elmo, Grover, etc (all her little "everybodys" that she plays with in the bath) put their head back while she puts water on their heads, and then started doing it easily herself. Funny though: at an evaluation last year, someone asked: does Lilly have any problems taking baths? I said no, but she doesn't like getting her hair washed because she doesn't like a huge cup of water running down her face (pre-head-back-phase). (What 3 year old does?) And they marked down that Lilly has sensory issues... which she really doesn't - just didn't like choking on water! Ugh...

Cathleen said...

PS Sammi's pics are gorgeous of course as always.

Stephanie said...

Aiden is every other day to avoid "wildman hair". His hair is so thin. But, yes, he hates getting his hair washed.

Stephanie said...

i know I'm a broken record but God was having an AWESOME day the day her created Sammi. She is flawless.

I hope you never cut that hair!!!

Kelly said...

Routines are a MUST in our house. Although, I think it helps "mommy" transition throughout the day (without a meltdown). LOL:)

What BEAUTIFUL pics of Sammi!! Love her!!

my family said...

what beautiful pictures of such a beautiful girl

Lori said...

Gorgeous pics of your beauty =)

We use one of those removable/hand-held shower heads - I have found this to be great option for all my kids (and the dog!) It gets a little water in their face, but nothing like a big cup of water.

Melissa said...

I love these pictures! She is such a beauty!

We've always been routine people, and Claire fits right in. We did a strict feeding schedule to get her weight up before her OHS and while we've relaxed it, we still use that schedule. Besides, that helps me get organized too!

Heather said...

Saw a couple of these already on FB but I need to reiterate .... gorgeous!!

I just love the small victories with our kids ... Zoey too use to HATE putting her head back and just when i least expected it,not a fuss,not a whimper.I say look up at the light and that is that.Also,my oral aversion kid,well,she lets me brush her teeth and actually likes it!Who would have thought.Ah,the little things!

PS.I bought the cutest little pixie dress already!Told you i was going to run with that idea!

Lacey said...

They say to only wash your hair once a week! I've been washing my hair every day for so long that it gets greasy if I miss one day.
I am going to grow Arina's hair super long if it hangs pretty. I've been dying for so long to have girl hair to play with. And I love long locks! Sam's hair is so beautiful!

Krista said...

this DS momma NEEDS her routine! And I believe I have been successful in passing that onto my children. Ella was only half-way through supper when she signed that she was done and ready for the bath! The look of DS is a funny thing. Sammi is GORGEOUS! Not in that "oh your daughter has Down Syndrome and is so cute" kinda way but all the elements of worldly beauty kinda of way-its just the labelled that is place on them. Then again...I feel that way about Ella. So what am I talking about? Regardless, happy hair washing.

Unknown said...

So love this post as the photographs are magical. My Emma Sage is my only girl who washing her hair [and brushing it] is truly a chore. We braid it before bed as if not, we have dreads in the morning. For the longest time, the only way I could do her hair is sitting with her in the tub and lots and lots of conditioner.

Love that golden hair girl of yours!

Crazy Beautiful Love said...

My oldest LOVES Sammi's hair. She says it looks like rapunzel and she is so jealous! Beeeuuuuuteeefuuullll...she says.