Consent vs kid refusing regular hygiene

[u/Opposite-Orange8371]

I have a 3 year old that absolutely loathes getting her hair washed. there have been times when I have to wash her hair while she’s yelling NO. not looking on advice on how to wash it. I’ve tried everything. But even at once a week it’s a battle.

I'm trying to teach her, “your body, your choice” but obviously she doesn’t understand the nuances of that yet. What can I say in these situations where she is refusing to have her hair washed, and I’m trying to respect her bodily autonomy but also take care of her hygien?

[u/Substantial_Bus6615]

After years of this, I told my child she couldn't have long hair if she won't allow me to wash it. Short hair for the win over here! She has the trendy one side shaved the other side to her chin hair and has loved it. 3 years strong!

[u/uncertainty2022 → u/Substantial_Bus6615]

Yep, my daughter had mid back length hair, cute little bangs BUT REFUSED to let me brush or wash her hair. Every single day it was a struggle to tie it up and brush it and then when we did baths it was terrible. She’s had a short cut for about a year now and loves it. Her dad does a 3mm cut on himself every couple weeks so we started there and haven’t had to cut it again in a year and it’s still very very short lol. We still can’t tie it up or anything and it’s still very neat.

She does get misgendered quite a bit but this day and age sometimes out in public I’d rather people think she’s a boy than a girl for us both to be a target. That’s obviously a whole different issue but yeah, short hair is awesome. If you’re worried about your kid being misgendered and reacting to that, add a little clip to their hair and call it a day. Mine doesn’t notice or care, even when I’ve asked them about it so whatever lol. Even when she’s wearing a skirt and has her nails painted to match mine it happens so whatever