1. Positive Thinking Is Best Way to Cope
Coping with hair loss in children is difficult for the child and parent alike. It's especially difficult if the hair loss is due to something as serious as cancer. Young children and teens may be critical of each other's appearance, and thoughtless remarks and cruel teasing make the situation more emotional. The best help you may give your child when she is losing hair is to keep your own attitude positive concerning the situation. Be mindful that children listen to everything you say, especially during stressful times. Guard your words and don't talk negatively about the hair loss in front of your child, especially when others are around.
2. Go Bald Together
The emotions that surround hair loss in children may be tempered by going bald together. If your child's hair is coming out due to cancer treatments or other serious diseases, think about going bald with him. Shave your head, too, and laugh while you're shaving. The bonding time you experience with the child might help both of you cope. Nothing lends greater support than going through a trial together. Your child knows you are there for him--all the way.
3. Take the Focus Off the Problem
Provide a distraction for a child who is losing her hair. Children need a healthy self-concept and self-image. When she's coping with hair loss for whatever reason, hair needn't be all that's on her mind. Use valuable time for learning new skills or developing new interests. The types of activities you choose, of course, depend on the child's age and physical ability. Learn about fish and create an aquarium together. Music lessons, learning about new electronics or gaining computer skills may work for your child. Read books together or work puzzles. The particular activity doesn't matter, but help the child learn something new to help her cope and enjoy life.
4. Fashion Distraction
Help children losing hair cope with the situation and think fashion. Take her shopping for hats and scarves. Earrings in the latest styles and colors add fashion style and draw focus away from hair. Let him pick out cool-looking caps with favorite sports team logos on them. In some cases, wigs are fun and appropriate for children losing hair. You can even find organizations providing human-hair wigs for children battling serious illnesses online.
5. Don't Push
Allow your child some adjustment time. Children under 10 handle losing hair better than teenagers in most cases. Let your child talk about it. Listen, sympathize and let her know you love her and respect what she's going through. Encourage him to go out with friends, but don't push the issue. Give plenty of emotional support, but also let her know that hard times come to everyone in one form or another. Encourage your child to face the problem head-on and know that he may be stronger for it.
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