On Thursday, Prince William admitted that his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, broke down in a ‘flood of tears’ the first time he grew a beard this summer – but now, a parenting expert has revealed her top tips to help kids adjust to the change.
While addressing journalists on an official visit to South Africa this week, the dad-of-three explained that the princess hated his stubble so much that he had to shave it off the first time, but she later came around to it.
‘I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back,’ the Prince of Wales said.
‘I thought, hang on a second and I convinced her it was going to be okay.’
Now, Princess Charlotte seems to accept her dad’s beard, but according to UK-based parenting expert and specialist Kirsty Ketley, there’s a good reason why children can be upset or confused when their father or another family member suddenly starts to grow facial hair.
On Thursday, Prince William admitted that his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte , broke down in a ‘flood of tears’ the first time he grew a beard this summer
Now, parenting expert Kirsty Ketley has revealed her top tips to help kids adjust to this change
‘I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back,’ the Prince of Wales said
‘Children, especially younger children, really like familiarity, as it gives them a sense of security,’ Ketley told DailyMail.com exclusively.
‘Seeing a parent, especially someone as familiar as Dad, suddenly look different can be surprising to them,’ she explained.
‘Developmentally, children learn to recognize people by specific facial features, and so a significant change like facial hair can confuse them or make them feel momentarily unsure or fearful.’
She explained that a similar phenomenon can happen when parents or familiar adults suddenly wear glasses or put on a hat.
However, thankfully, there’s a way to ease kids into the new change.
‘Parents can help by making the change feel fun and gradual and include the kids,’ Ketley told DailyMail.com.
‘Show children pictures of Dad with facial hair – mock a picture up, or show previous pics of times he had facial hair, if possible, let them playfully touch or see the new look up close.’
And, as their father grows his facial hair, the parenting consultant stressed that it is important he is still doing all the same things he always does with the kids.
Prince William sported his new facial hair during an official visit to South Africa this week
Ketley also recommended letting your kids know that Dad will be growing the facial hair before it happens
You can even make games out of the growing beard, too, Ketley suggested, like having them measure it, or even combing it and putting some baubles in it for Christmastime
‘This helps them see that despite his changing appearance, he’s still Dad and nothing else is changing,’ she said.
Ketley also recommended letting your kids know that their parent will be growing the facial hair before it happens.
It can also help to approach the topic playfully, giving the example that it’s going to be like a ‘fuzzy caterpillar,’ or something similar, which can make the new change ‘feel exciting and fun.’
‘If the child is very young, a gradual approach, like slowly growing a stubble before a full beard, might make it easier for them to get used to the transformation,’ she offered.
You can even make games out of the growing beard, Ketley suggested, like having children measure it, or even combing it and putting some baubles in it for Christmastime.
Books can also be handy, especially when the characters have a beard.
But in the end, with or without the bread, everything will be ok with your little ones, Ketley promised.
‘Give it time,’ she said. ‘It shouldn’t take long for children to adjust, so be patient and all will be well.’
