How do I help dd break a bad habit??

[kacee]

Dd has been twirling her hair. It is breaking the ends and making her bald. After it is knotted, she sits there and rips them out. It is driving me crazy. I don't know how to stop her from doing this. We have talked about it, the health of her hair. (It is not at the extreme stage, yet. This sounds worse than it looks) I have talked to the teacher (She also twirls her hair, but bigger chunks in the back. She told DD that that was ok, just not to do the sides. The teacher is also trying to get her to stop this.) She is just a twirler. I need to stop her from doing this.

She does this in the car, when reading, etc.


Any ideas out there?

[AnnW]

It sounds like she is doing this unconsciously. Have you tried having her wear her hair up in a high pony tail to see if you can break the habit?



btw..Wasn't sure what the "controversy is" but I moved this from the debate forum so more people would see it.

[kacee]

Yep, We were posting at the same time. I am begging you to move my other mistake too!!! (you could have dh's frozen chocolate bunny. LOL)



It is something she does unconsciously. We are trying a pony tail today, but she keeps playing with the fly aways. She really has gorious hair. Straight with a body wave. (except for her thinning side!! )
I suppose I have let this habit go to long!!

My dh is getting frustered with this also. He threatened to take away the new telescope!!

Believe me the sound of ripping hair is horrible!!!

[AnnW]

Use the pony tai and maybe a cloth headband to help hold the hairs back. Do it everyday for at least two weeks (even sleeping) and see if that will break the habit.
Don't be surprised though, if she finds another bad habit to replace it.

[MaryL]

I only have boys...so no expert here, but....how about putting her hair in a high pony, and attaching a ribbon. Leave the ends of the ribbon hang low, so that if she wants to twirl, she can twirl the ribbon. Also, how about giving her a special "ring" for her hand that she can twirl (twist) instead of her hair? Could she get a different hair style that is shorter on the sides and still longer in the back (not a shag...but maybe some layers that would make it harder to twirl)?

[AnnW]

That's a great idea about the ribbons!!!

[JAK]

Put a bandana on her head. My dd has about 10 different colors/designs and wears them all the time. Your dd definitely wouldn't be able to get to her hair that way. Like Ann said, try it for a few weeks and see what happens.

[kacee]

Well, the pony tail didn't last too long. By this afternoon, she was begging to take it out. I had about 8 claw clips on all the fly aways. It looked really cute, and she asked to wear it this way to Church tomorrow.

But now she is back in a headband. I have caught her twirling a couple of times. I pull out a disposible glove and told her that I would put it on her hand if she didn't stop.

So far so good. I guess that I will have to be on her consistently.

[AnnW]

Kacee...if this is something important to you, you have to be strong no matter what she does. If she pulls out the pony tail, put it back! Be strong here!!!

[littlesista06]

Kacee - I think I'd step back and see just when she does this - is it at more stressful times than others? I know you said it was when she reads and rides in the car.... any other times? You might try to busy her hands with other things instead of threatening her with a rubber glove - that could make her want to hide when she does it.

[KarlaB]

My nephew used to twist his hair and he ended up with several bald spots. It turned out he was doing it when he was nervous/frustrated/anxious, but I can't remember how they got him to stop. Sorry I am not much help. I just know it was a concern for my sister at one point, too. Lots of good ideas here - hope one of 'em works!!