Sometimes it can be pretty easy to help teach kids the importance of a healthy lifestyle through brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and how to take a proper bath or shower. But when it comes to proper care of hair, sometimes this is one of those subjects that can be easy to overlook! Here at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, a hair salon where every child matters, we understand how important healthy hair can be towards helping kids feel great about themselves each day. That's why we thought it might be a good idea to share some of our hair care tips on developing a routine that works for you and your child, and reinforces healthy hair habits from an early age on!

Different Kids, Different Hair! First off, every child is different and has a different type of hair (dry, oily, curly or straight). Age, activity level  and even weather conditions are also important considerations when trying to determine how often a child might need to wash and care for their hair! For example, some recommend that toddler hair should be washed around three times a week, while oily hair should be shampooed once a day or every other day. Some also recommend that hair should be rinsed out with water and properly conditioned after swimming or excessive sweating.  Meanwhile, be sure to monitor how your child responds to shampoo and conditioner, as well as the frequency it's being washed, and adjust as necessary. If you notice the hair or scalp responding poorly to the shampoo, conditioner (such as the hair becoming dull, oily or dry), you may want to try a different shampoo or not wash their hair as often. 

Picking the Right Hair Care Products: Different kids and different hairstyles require different kids shampoo and conditioners too! How the shampoos and conditioners smell and react with their skin are all things you'll want to think about when making a healthy and helpful purchase in this area. For example, if a child's hair is dry, try to look for a good moisturizing shampoo. Also, if a child has a scalp condition (such as dandruff, psoriasis or dermatitis), checking with a dermatologist might be helpful. And don't forget, Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids carries a huge variety of shampoos and swimmer's shampoos (in a variety of fun and fruity scents) conditioners, pre-swim conditioners, lice prevention and defense and colored hair chalks and gels (for guys and gals) too! Read all about them on our Shear Madness Products page! 

Washing that Hair! When washing your child's hair, be sure to get the hair completely wet and use about a quarter-sized amount of shampoo (thicker hair types might require a little more shampoo, while thinner hair types migth require a little less). Gently massage the shampoo into the hair and scalp using just your fingertips. Be careful not to scratch, as this may irritate the scalp. When finished, make sure all the shampoo is washed out of the hair. Any left-over shampoo may irritate the hair or scalp. 

But What About Kids Conditioner? Conditioners also depend on the type of hair your child has, and come in several varieties. Leave-in conditioners are not washed out of the child's hair, and are simply left in to help with such issues as detangling. However, a leave-in conditioner may give fine, thin hair a lot of extra weight - which could give a less than ideal appearance to the hair. There's also instant conditioners, which coat the hair and help with such factors as shine and softness. Unlike a leave-in conditioner, instant conditioners are rinsed out of the hair. Meanwhile, deep conditioners will stay in the hair for certain amount of time before being rinsed out. Depending on the condition of the hair, you'll want to look at the frequency of using a deep conditioner. Sometimes it might be with every hair washing - or simply just once a month.

Oh No! It's a Hair Emergency! Sometimes kids end up with stuff stuck in their hair like glue or gum. But don't worry! A lot of times these can be solved without needing to cut out the problem area. For example, glue can sometimes be removed with getting the area wet, using a little conditioner and then combing it out. Sometimes baby oil left in the hair for 15 or 20 minutes will help remove the glue. As for gum, peanut butter or vegetable oil can help with this. Just let it set for a few minutes, and then rinse! However, if a child takes their hair into their own hands and cuts it - you may need to see a professional stylist (like at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids) to help fix the problem. But hats, pins and hairbows can help conceal the problem area too, at least until the hair grows back.

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Interested in learning how YOU can join Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids and run your own successful small business that helps kids and their families? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salons in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about small business marketing, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, how to grow a small business, or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD!

At Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, delivering a great experience for kids is our specialty. Whether it's helping them (and their parents) feel great by getting a fantastic haircut, hosting an awesome party, or providing the very best in hair products, hair related accessories, toys and more, we love being able to share a little happiness with the world through what we do best! Because to us, EVERY child matters!

Kids today have a lot of options available to them in regards to food choices, clothing, entertainment, toys, indoor and outdoor activities and much more. Sometimes it seems like it can be a tough job as a new parent trying to wade through all the noise and figure out what's best for your special little girl or guy. As Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids loves working with kids, and because we're parents too, we thought we'd share some of our thoughts on helping encourage healthy lifestyles in your children.

1. Eating Right is Important! Help your kids start the day out with a healthy breakfast for both mental and physical benefits. Each meal is important of course, but breakfast can sometimes be one of those overlooked meals where kids feel rushed in eating it (in order to get to wherever they need to go for the day). It's important to encourage children to slow down while eating, chewing each bite properly. Also, sometimes kids may eat something that isn't so healthy in order to be on their way more quickly too (like a piece of pizza from the previous night, a candy bar, or a can of pop - yikes!). Plus, breakfast can be a great time to talk with your kids and help them get in a good frame of mind for the day ahead.

2. Taking Care of Your Body: In addition to eating right, helping kids know how to properly care for themselves is a great skill that prepares them for a healthy lifestyle as an adult. For example, establishing a habit of brushing teeth in the morning and evening before bed, drinking plenty of water each day, getting plenty of sleep, keeping their environment clean and proper hand and face washing are all important considerations in helping kids build a good foundation of caring for their body. 

3. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! The benefits of good exercise can never be underestimated for people of all ages in our world today. Biking, walking and running are all good ways for kids to get out and exercise. Don't let the idea of exercise be a boring one either! For example, bike rides, running and walks can be to a different destination every day. You can also play little games as you exercise too, such as trying to spot certain birds as you're out, or counting certain colors of cars. And best of all, a lot of these can be done with your kids. Not only are you both getting exercise, but you're also getting in some great family time too! 

4. Entertainment: With the prevelance of electronic toys, phones, portable games and a huge range of entertainment options through televesion, sometimes kids start thinking that the only way to be entertained is via staring at a screen. However, encourage your kids to get outside and have fun taking walks, building forts, playing with toys outside, making crafts, reading a book, playing a board game, writing a story, drawing a picture or helping mom or dad out with an important task around the house. Sure, it's fine to play with the electronic toys a little each day, but too much may keep kids (and you) from missing out on a lot of other fun experiences!

5. Taking Care of Your Appearance: This one is a fun one, as it's a way for kids to really look and feel great about themselves. Help them learn how to properly comb their hair or pick out an outfit to wear for the day. As they get older, they'll be able to do this on their own - although hopefully they'll still seek you out sometimes for those important questions! But in those younger years, it's a great way to spend a little one-on-one time with your child, and help them see you as a source of encouragement and trustworthy council on helping them feel good before they start their day. And don't forget - at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, we offer many great ways to help kids look and feel great about themselves too! We not only have cool haircuts and fantastic hair stylists that encourage and build kids up, but we have a carefully hand-picked selection of hairbows, jewelry, hair products, educational toys and much more designed to help kids feel great!

Would you like to sign up for our Monthly newsletter? If so, click HERE!

Are you interested in learning how YOU can join the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids family and run your own successful small business? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salon franchise systems in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about small business marketing, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, how to grow a small business, or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD!

Over the years, Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids has seen plenty of kids come through our doors that aren't overly thrilled about the idea of getting a haircut, or an ear piercing. However, as a kids hair salon that specializes in creating a fun, memorable and positive experience for both children and their parents - we've learned a thing or two on helping kids feel great - as well as how to turn those frowns upside down. Following are five calming techniques for an upset child (or upset parent)!

1. Slow down and breath deep! When it comes to calming an upset child, sometimes it's good to just take a deep breath - which works for both the child and for the parent who might be getting a little frustrated! A good way to do this is to close your eyes (if you can) draw in a long, slow breath - hold it for a couple seconds, and then slowly exhale. Do this a number of times if necessary to help clear the mind and relax.

2. Just Count to 10! If a parent or child finds themselves in a difficult situation, sometimes the best thing you can do is count to 10 before you respond. This allows the individual to take a moment to properly assess the situation and formulate an appropriate response to whatever is going on. We've all been there when we get provoked by a bully, and we feel the need to impulsively lash out - with sometimes regrettable consequences later. Counting to 10 is a great way to possibly help keep those regrets to a minimum!

3. Give Yourself a Hand! No, this doesn't mean that whenever you're having a tough time to stop and clap. Although, the gentle rythmm of softly clapping hands can be a good way to help focus. Another good idea is to encourage your upset child to place their hands in their pocket, sit on them, or clasp their hands tightly together. This not only helps encourage restraint, but can help the individual think about the gentle pressure being applied to their hands. Another technique is to blow into the hand when upset. Much like the above mentioned deep breathing, this involves the child exhaling into their hands as they breath. The sensation of their breath against their hand is another way for them to consider something other than negative feelings. Note: Sometimes when frustrated or unable to focus, placing your hands under the water from a faucett, or washing your face can help clear the mind as well.

4. Walk it Out! If a person is really bothered by something, it can be a good idea just to go for a short walk and get a little exercise. If the weather is bad, walk around the the interior of whatever building you are in, and take notice of the artwork, style, or design of the structure. If the weather is good, take a short walk outside and notice the clouds in the sky, flowers, trees and noises of your surroundings. Whether walking inside or out, the idea is just to take a few moments to allow the mind and body to relax through movement and positive stimulation from your environment. And if there's an occassion where you're unable to walk anywhere, people will also use exercise techniques like yoga or running in place. 

5. A Hug and a Song! Last but certainly not least, is the power of love and a little music to lift the heart. We've all been there where sometimes all we need is just a gentle hug from someone we know and trust. And when people are upset, a great way to calm them down is to just hug them for as long as they want you to. Making eye contact is also good when giving hugs, as it lets people know you're in tune with what's going on. Also, with children, sometimes a favorite song softly hummed in their ear is a good way to promote those happy thoughts.

Would you like to sign up for our Monthly newsletter? If so, click HERE!

Are you interested in learning how YOU can join the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids family and run your own successful small business that provides a positive experience in helping children and their families? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salons in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about small business marketing, great marketing strategies, resources for small businesses, how to grow a small business, or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD!

Each year, kids are reported to influence around $1 trillion in family spending! And with everything from toys, clothing, jewelry, personal care products (toothpaste, shampoo, cosmetics, etc), to eating establishments, personal care franchises (haircuts, nail salons, and more), it's easy to see why! Kids have an interest in what's new, having fun, and looking and feeling great! So if you're looking for a few ideas on marketing to kids and how to let people know about the kinds of products and services your business offers, consider checking out the following cool and creative marketing ideas!

School is Cool: Find way to let kids know about your business through running an ad in the school yearbook or newsletter. Sponsor a kids club at school by donating supplies for it, or consider helping out with a school fundraiser. And don't forget the Homeschool market! There are many homeschool conventions where businesses advertise kid friendly products and services.

Parades and Town Festivals: There are always lots of kids at parades, town festivals and local fairs! Decorate a cool car and drive it in a parade, or have a booth at a local festival or fair. Consider having a game or two that kids can interact with and win free prizes. Whatever you do, be sure to have fun and decorate in such a manner that it catches kids eyes and gets them excited about what you do!

Contests: Hosting a contest can be a fun way to draw positive attention to your brand. This could involve something simple like a coloring contest (with a specially designed coloring page for your business) to a contest that encourages kids to be creative in making something fun that features your product. Other ideas could include a model contest where parents take pictures of their kids having fun with your product or service. Prizes could include coupons, certificates, free stuff from your store, appearing on your social media sites, and much more! 

Free Stuff: Kids love to have fun and get something for free (that their mom and dad won't say "No" to!). These can be inexpensive trinkets like crazy pencil toppers, silly sunglasses, fake mustaches, foam airplanes, trading cards or even helium ballons branded with your product. 

Sports and More: Kids love sports, outdoor activities and special interest clubs (like lego building clubs and summer reading clubs at the local library). Consider advertising at the local baseball or soccer field, or sponsoring a summer reading program. Possibly look at donating sports related items to a kids team, or outdoor supplies for a scouting organization. 

Geek Culture: Kids (and their parents) today really enjoy a lot of popular sci-fi shows, graphic novels, comics and board games, collectible card games and video games. Consider hosting an event at a local comic book shop, game store, comic book or sci-fi convention. Encourage those from your business who attend to dress up as fun characters, and offer cool sci-fi related gifts branded with your product. 

Interested in learning how YOU can join the Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids family and run your own successful small business? We are one of the fastest growing kids hair salon franchise systems in the industry today! If you would like to learn more about small business marketing, great marketing strategies or how to become a successful owner of your own kids hair salon franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD!

In the digital age, kids might be very tech-savvy when it comes to playing the latest game or using social media, but then suffer from a little social awkwardness when it comes to talking to their peers. From kids (and adults too!) who stare at their phones during a meal, to children who would rather text than talk to someone who might even be in the same room, it sometimes might seem as if people are forgetting the importance of having positive real-life interactions with others. And while it's certainly very worthwhile that kids know how to use technnology for creative expression and the accomplishing of important tasks, it's also of great importance to make sure kids succeed in life through developing great social skills!

At Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids, we understand how important it is for kids to have fun and learn - but also be encouraged and motivated to succeed in life. Following are some tips that might be useful in modeling and helping kids with social skills!

Do as I say, not as I do? Parents can sometimes be overly critical of children, but then neglect to observe how their own behavior may be questionable as well! Kids who live in the same household as an adult will observe how adults behave and act, and will often times imitate this behavior - whether a parent likes it or not. If adults are spending a lot of time looking at social media (on the phone or computer), watching TV, and playing games, kids are going to want to do this too. If at all possible, it's best just wait to do these activities when the kids go to bed. And let's face it, who wants their kids to grow up and tell their own kids that their parents spent a lot of time on social media instead of being out making memories and having fun?

Spending Time Together: Kids learn how to communicate with other people through personal interactions. For example, meal time is a great occassion to teach children how to properly engage with others through observing body language and carrying on a conversation through listening, asking questions, making eye contact and more. Another great opportunity is reading a chapter from a favorite book each evening, and having a conversation about what the characters experienced, thought about, and the child's own thoughts and feelings about it. Of course, even playing a game or watching a television show together can be useful for interacting with kids as long as parents find moments to pause and talk about it during or afterwards. 

Speak Up! In social situations where kids may be present with other adults, a parent can sometimes want to say too much for their kids. For example, at family gatherings when another adult asks a child a question about what they've been learning at school - parents can sometimes want to answer for them if the child looks uncertain about how to respond. However, if a child is shy or has trouble talking to adults, a parent can help train their child on how to talk in these situations by setting up imaginative scenarios where the parents pretends they are someone who asks a certain question - and then coaches the child on how they might best respond in the future. These pretend scenarios might include how to greet someone, shake hands, starting and ending a phone call, starting and ending a conversation, and more. Have fun!

As Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids is one of the fastest growing kids hair salons in the industry today, we're always working hard to share our many great resources on marketing strategies, business growth, small business marketing and other great business tips so that our franchisees will have the tools to succeed! If you are interested in our other free resources for businesses, or would like to learn more about how to become a successful owner of your own franchise business, please click below or call 1-888-98 GONE MAD!

March Fun and Special Sales! 

FREE DIY Nail Stations! If you're looking for a memorable activity to do with your kids, why not come out to your local Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids and check out our DIY Nail Stations set up in celebration of St. Patrick's Day? This awesome event will take place March 16th and 17th (Monday and Tuesday), so be sure to get it on your calendar. It's sure to be a lot of FUN!

Easter Eggs and maybe a FREE HAIRCUT! It's hard to imagine with the colder temperatures right now, but Easter will be here April 5th!  Starting in March, and running until Easter Sunday, each child can "hunt" for a MadTastic Easter egg in our store! Each will contain a fantastic coupon for discounts or a Free Haircut or candy - its a surprise!  Come and Hunt for yours now!

March Specials! Maybe it's the longer days, or the feeling that winter is almost over. Either way, here at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids we're warming things up with awesome specials on manicures, pedicures and more! You'll definately want to check in with your local store to see what's going on. And don't forget our always exciting selection of toys, jewelry, bows, hair care products and more! 

 National Girl Scouts Week

Girl Scouts: Did you know that the 2nd week of March is National Girl Scout Week? According to the Girl Scouts website, "In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong." Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids recognizes the valuable contributions of the Girl Scouts!

Looking for Your Pot Of Gold?

Right now, we're looking for qualified franchisees who might like to open a Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Cedar Rapids, Lincoln Nebraska and more! Interested? Check out some of our new resources available through our franchise website. From a great blog discussing the many aspects of franchising, to free downloads and more, we invite you to check out our franchise website by clicking: Franchise Opportunities 

Social Media and Coupons!

March Shear Madness Fun all month long! You just might feel a little lucky when you discover our free Haircut Fridays, funny jokes, awesome customer feedback and more - and it's all happening right now at our rockin' Facebook page! And if you want more Shear Madness, why not check out our constantly updated Franchise Blog, Instagram, Google+  and Twitter? And of course, don't miss out on some of our favorite Shear Madness pins this month on Pinterest! 

Great Coupons! Are you looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? If so, then you're sure to appreciate some of the "golden" offers available on our coupon page! Whether it's shopping for a St. Patrick's Day celebration, an upcoming birthday, or other special occasion - you're sure to find that Madtastic deal you’ve been waiting for at Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids!

St. Patty's Day Crafts for Kids

St. Patty's Day Crafts for Kids: Put a little luck o' the Irish in your March by celebrating St. Patrick's Day with some fun crafts! Check out our cool Crafts for Kids section on Pinterest, and learn how to make Shamrock hats out of paper plates, cute paper shamrock ornaments, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow party favor - and much more! Have fun, and have a great March!

We're having a great day at Shear Madness, you have one too!