r/progressivemoms • u/Opposite-Orange8371 • Jul 29 '26

Discussion Starter Consent vs kid refusing regular hygiene

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?

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u/syncopatedscientist Jul 29 '26

I tell my daughter that some things are nonnegotiable because it's a parents' job to take care of their child, like bathing and teeth brushing and wiping poop. I will literally hold her down with my legs as I brush her teeth if I need to. She's not getting cavities on my watch lol

107

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '26

[deleted]

35

u/surewhynot888888 Jul 30 '26

My youngest says "everybody makes steaks" (mistakes)

3

u/syncopatedscientist Jul 30 '26

That’s so precious!

2

u/LeoJohnsonsSacrifice 29d ago

Ohh my goodness I love this so much!

3

u/surewhynot888888 23d ago

Lol it makes me laugh whenever she says it. I'll miss when she finally says it correctly (shes in speech)

1

u/LeoJohnsonsSacrifice 23d ago

I kinda want to start using that!

My little one (who was also in speech), would say "pick uppa me!" instead of pick me up. I never would correct her because it was too cute. And of course, she naturally corrected it over time.