Quoting Brobee:" I wouldn't. I would just keep brushing it, and make her listen. I dealt with it with Elena. She has SUPER ... [snip!] ... get it brushed. And she eventually got over it. She still fights me sometimes, but eh, she's 4, and she's bratty sometimes.  "

oh I know. So far, this 4 year old has been the hardest age/stage. Never thought I'd miss the infant stage

Quoting snglemama:" hmm... in that case... maybe google pictures of beautiful women with short hair... and make a big deal ... [snip!] ... to decide she wants it like that? but.. short hair still needs brushing.. less knots.. but looks crazy if not fixed daily."

I like this idea. Find a way to make it something that she wants to do and then cut it. Will she wear a headband? If she complains, you could always dress it up with headbands, clips, or hats.

Quoting Rain (aka Mama):" I like this idea. Find a way to make it something that she wants to do and then cut it. Will she wear a headband? If she complains, you could always dress it up with headbands, clips, or hats."

Nope she won't wear bows, bands, or hats.

Nothing can touch her head

I had to shave Novali's head because of lice... she went through the "I look like a boy!" stage and now it's grown into a cute pixie cut (when she meets new people she still says "I'm a girl" so that they don't call her a boy)...

it's a pain in the ass to keep it from standing on end.... Short hair isn't always easier... I have to put gel in Novali's hair to keep it down.

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" Basically, I'm so tired of the daily struggle and screaming match when it comes to brushing my daughters ... [snip!] ... she screams like I'm killing her. Even the neighbors have commented on it   Would you give a 4 year old a "pixie" cut? "

I think Cora is adorable and anything would suit her - if you think it's too much of a struggle, and heck I agree with you.. Nika acts as though I'm trying to cut an ear off or something  

Nika doesn't want her hair cut though, so .. we'll keep struggling -.-

Quoting Tasha & Nika:" I think Cora is adorable and anything would suit her - if you think it's too much of a struggle, and ... [snip!] ... as though I'm trying to cut an ear off or something   Nika doesn't want her hair cut though, so .. we'll keep struggling -.-"

Cora "let" me brush her hair this morning

I took a different tone. I didn't ASK her if I could do it. I just told her I was going to and that she needed to sit. And she did. She still cried and tried to pull away, but it was different and less fighting and begging

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" Cora "let" me brush her hair this morning I took a different tone. I didn't ASK her if I could do ... [snip!] ... that she needed to sit. And she did. She still cried and tried to pull away, but it was different and less fighting and begging"

YAY! It's the same with Elena. She still pulls her head a bit, and whines about it, but she sits and has it brushed.

Quoting Brobee:" YAY! It's the same with Elena. She still pulls her head a bit, and whines about it, but she sits and has it brushed. "

I thinkmbig problem is giving her too much choice

Do you want this for dinner
Do you want to go xxx place?
Can I brush your hair?
Are you ready for bed?


Too much choices. Time for me to take some of them away

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" I thinkmbig problem is giving her too much choice Do you want this for dinner Do you want to go xxx ... [snip!] ... want to go xxx place? Can I brush your hair? Are you ready for bed? Too much choices. Time for me to take some of them away"

I think you're right. I give choices with things that don't matter much, but I do it in a way that I'm still getting the most say in it. Like with clothes for instance, I'll pick out two shirts and let her choose which one she wants to wear. Or for snack, I'll pick two things and let her choose one. That way she's not too overwhelmed, I'm still in control and things are getting done the way they need to be.  

my mom did w/ me about that age for exactly the reasons you state. i hated it but my mom said it was so much easier