When It Comes to a Wig

Dermatologists emphasize the importance of persuading a girl to wear one. Apart from improving her appearance, she needs one to keep her head warm in winter and protect her skull from bumps. It will help her feel normal. Anything which makes her different from the others at school - even a cardigan button - upsets a child. Indulge a little girl with wigs. Make the outing to the shop a treat and give it plenty of time. Let her choose the one which she likes, even if it is a totally impractical Cinderella job. Let her have it. She will come round to the more convenient short styles later. Make wigs fun. Let her try on as many as she likes. The main thing is for her to be happy about it.

Above all, don't put on your uptight tragic face in the shop. Save your "How could this tragedy have befallen my lovely daughter?" face for when you are away from her. For field games, cater for windy days by sewing double - sided tape inside the wig to anchor it.

If the child refuses to wear a wig, don't force the issue. Try a little friendly persuasion, appealing to the child's good nature. Explain that a wig is a good idea for the sake of other people's sensitivities. "You don't want to upset grandma" may work with an older child.

But if the child is really dead set against it, you can't insist. After all, who is she wearing the wig for? Herself or you? Because you want to see your pretty daughter look glamorous again with "pretend" hair? If she doesn't see it that way, it is on her own head, not yours. With a bit of luck, she might be persuaded to wear a trendy baseball cap as a compromise.