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When the haircut feels scary

A short cartoon about a quiet snip and asking for a pause, starring your child. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.

Try a story beginning

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a girl in a hairdresser's chair raises one hand for a pause while her dad sits beside her and the hairdresser waits with the scissors lowered, and a glowing firefly holds up a tiny clipped curl.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Mia (5) sits in a big chair at the hairdresser's. Her dad sits on a stool beside her. A quiet snip sounds near her ear. Mia raises her hand. "I need a pause." The hairdresser puts the scissors down at once. They look together at one little curl on the cape. Mia holds it in her palm. "It's tiny." Dad smiles. After a while, Mia nods, and the hairdresser lifts the scissors again, slowly.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • Mia listens to the sound of the scissors and asks for a pause.
  • The hairdresser puts the scissors down right away.
  • Mia looks at one clipped curl as long as she likes.
  • She nods when she wants to go on. Her dad stays beside her.
Try a story beginning

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What did Mia hear in the hairdresser's chair?
  2. What did Mia ask for? What did the hairdresser do?
  3. At the hairdresser's, what pause sign would you like to use? You can show me.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • A cartoon can't tell you how a haircut will feel for your child. Let them look, ask and pause.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.