Comb or brush her hair while she’s in the shower or bath or just after she gets out. Delaying this step guarantees a bigger battle later.

Start at the bottom (where the knots are) and work your way up. This will minimize discomfort. Hold the hair above the knots so that you don’t pull at your child’s scalp.

For kids who enjoy having special ribbons and barrettes in their hair, make these accessories an incentive. Tell your daughter that you’re going to make her look like a princess, a favorite character, or a friend who always wears barrettes.

Brush your child’s hair while she’s in front of the television or computer, or better yet, while your spouse reads aloud to her. When distracted, kids are less likely to complain.