How do you deal with an 8 year old who refuses to get her hair washed?

Let her walk around with dirty greasy hair. Don't say ANYTHING about it. Don't even say "I don't hair if your hair's dirty" or ANYTHING AT ALL.

Just pretend like the subject doesn't even exist. After a few weeks someone, probably one of her friends(NOT YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND), will mention that her hair is gross. Maybe even make fun of her. Now, I know you don't want anyone making fun of your daughter, but by what you said that will probably be the only way.

I think she's doing this, because she wants attention. I don't know why she would want negative attention, but she does. Some kids are just like that I suppose. You are giving her the attention she wants by fighting with her, and she's winning. If you just step back, and let her win, she'll get bored, and realize this game isn't working any more. Yes, this is nothing but a big game on her part. It's called "How far can I push mommy before she pulls all her hair out"

Your daughter is way too old to be having you was her hair for her. She needs to grow up, and learn to take care of herself. DO NOT baby her, and remember. DO NOT tell that your giving up and letting her win, this will only make her worse, and she will just push you harder.

Just don't tell her to wash her hair anymore. Let it go. I know your motherly instinct is to make her take care of her self, but she will eventually do it on her own. By the time she's 11 I'm sure she'll decide to wash her hair. She'll live through it. Most people in medieval times went their whole lives without ever even taking a bath.

Once again, I can not stress this enough. DO NOT MENTION YOUR PLAN TO HER IN ANY WAY JUST BE APATHETIC, AND LET HER GO AROUND WITH GREASY DIRTY HAIR. IT'S HER PROBLEM, NOT YOURS. All you need to do it set a good example, and ignore her hair. She know that's what you want, and if you stop giving her attention for disobeying you, and give her positive attention when she does(like complimenting how pretty her hair is when she finally decides to wash it) she will willingly wash her hair.

LOL.. if you knew how many times I wished that shoelace idea was viable!! About as many times as I contemplated Jr. Benedryl before I put it back on the store shelves and walked away!!! ROFL

Regarding your daughter, it sounds like you are going to have a handful on your hands as she gets older. As far as right now, this is what she has decided to fight about. What I would suggest is rather disgusting and I am not sure if you will want to do this but.. Stop fighting her. Let her go around with greasy hair. Then, the next time you are online (with her behind you), look up 'hair spiders'. The Urban legend stuff should come up. Read that and make comments to your husband about how disgusting the stuff is. (spiders that nest in hair that was not washed, etc.) Your daughter should go rather rapidly to the bathroom to wash her hair upon reading the stuff. ;)

Interesting

A few years ago my daughter didn't want to wash her hair and would get upset with my because I would wash it for her. I would hold her with one hand and dump water with the other. She was getting her head washed one way or another. After a few weeks I get tried of it and told her she was to wash her hair or I was shaving it off. She thought I was joking until I pulled out my husband's clippers to cut. She washes her hair everyday.

get serious and let her know that you are not gonna play her game anymore. the next time she does not wash her hair you will cut it off. I wasn't THAT bad growing up but there were times that I wouldnt brush my hair or whatever and my mom kept telling me that if i didn't take care of it she would cut if off. I didnt believer her. OoO but did she fool me. lol. She got me down and did cut my hair. I thought i would never forgive her but eventually it did teach me a lesson. My mom is a wonderful woman and she did what needed to be done. after that I ALWAYS washed my hair and brushed it before bedtime :-) good luck

You are debating with an 8yo? Allowing her to hit you? BRIBING HER???

Good grief...be the parent. Do not allow her to her think she has a choice. She is 8. Tell her to wash her hair or you will do it for her. If she resists spank her. I disagree with using a belt but a dozen hard swats with your open hand on a bare wet bottom will get her attention and quick.

I dump her in the bath and wash her hair normally. No washcloths, cotton, or changing the waer temperature after the initial check. If she punches or slaps I spank her and reduce her to tears, and then I carry on washing her hair. Repeat until it is clean. Repeat three days later.

You're the parent. Behave like one. Being hygenic is non-optional.

Just ignore it. She will wash it soon enough. Maybe take her for an OT evaluation, it sounds like she might have sensory processing disorder or something.

you are the parent, you PUT her in the tub and you MAKE her pet you wash her hair, she will get over it, shes 8 years old, shes old enough to care about her appearance, tell her if she doesnt want it washed youll just get it all cut off and not have to worry about it.little girls dont like the idea of being bald. if she doesnt listen FOLLOW THROUGH. maybe when it grows back out she will be more happy to wash it. dont let her run you,or she will be doing it forever.

I had a friend like this when I was younger, about the same age. Her mom had her hair cut very short. She started washing it after that.