Booster Seats or Sitting on a Parents Lap: The Pros and Cons of Both

Booster Seats or Sitting on a Parents Lap: The Pros and Cons of Both

A child’s first haircut is a momentous time, it’s a rite of passage and a milestone moment in a child’s life. However, it can be a nerve wracking time for any parent with a child who doesn’t like the hairdressers. This is why children tend to sit on a booster seat or a parent’s lap, but which is best?   Booster Seats vs. Sitting on a Parents Lap at the Hairdressers  

• Sitting on a Parents Lap Can Be Comforting – A lot of young children are nervous about going to the hairdresser, especially if they are having their very first haircut. There’s a lot for them to get used to, but sitting on a parent’s lap can be a source of comfort. If they are scared or unsure, they have a parent right there to offer reassurance.
• Booster Seats Give Them a Sense of Independence – Many children like to feel as though they are independent and no longer a baby, which is why a lot of young children proudly declare that they are a ‘big boy’ or a ‘big girl’. Highlighting just how grown up they are is a great way to get a child to cooperate at a hair appointment.
• Booster Seats Can Make Them Feel More Nervous – If your child is nervous or anxious about going to the hairdressers, a booster seat could make things worse. There are a lot of new sounds, lights and hairdressing equipment for a child to get used to at the salon, which can make them feel unsure or worried. Sitting them on a booster seat could add to this, especially if they haven’t used that type of booster seat before.
• Sitting on a Parents Lap Can Make Distractions More Convenient – If you are planning to distract your child throughout a haircut – perhaps you have loaded up an iPad with their favourite TV show or you have games and bubbles for them to play with – you are likely to find that it’s a lot easier if they are sitting on your lap.
• Booster Seats Can Make a Haircut More Exciting and Fun – There are a lot of booster seat options available for a child at the hairdressers, and many of them add an extra level of excitement to the experience. For example, there are children’s hairdresser chairs that look like cars or characters. Most children will happily sit in a fun booster seat for the duration of a haircut, whereas sitting on a parent’s lap can become boring quickly.

  As you can see, there are certainly pros and cons to both. Whether your child sits on a booster seat or on a parent’s lap for their haircut, choosing a children’s hairdresser makes a big difference. To find out more about booking a child’s haircut, get in touch with the Hair Play team.