On Thursday, Prince William admitted his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, burst into “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 . Children adapt to change.
While addressing reporters on an official visit to South Africa this week, the father-of-three explained that the princess hated his beard so much that she had to shave it off the first time, but then she realized it.
‘I was in tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I let it grow again,” the Prince of Wales said.
“I thought, wait a second, and I convinced her that everything 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 may feel upset or confused when their parent or another family member suddenly starts growing facial hair.
On Thursday, Prince William admitted that his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, burst into “a flood of tears” the first time he grew a beard this summer.
Now, parenting expert Kirsty Ketley has revealed her top tips for helping children adapt to this change.
‘I was in tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I let it grow again,” the Prince of Wales said.
“Children, especially younger ones, 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,” she explained.
“During development, children learn to recognize people by specific facial features, so a significant change, such as facial hair, can confuse them or make them feel momentarily unsafe or fearful.”
He explained that a similar phenomenon can occur when parents or familiar adults suddenly wear glasses or put on a hat.
Fortunately, however, there is a way to make it easier for children to adapt to the new change.
“Parents can help by making the change fun and gradual and including the children,” Ketley told DailyMail.com.
“Show kids pictures of Dad with facial hair: Mock up a picture or show past pictures of times he had facial hair, if possible, let them playfully touch themselves or get a close look at the new look.”
And, as his father grows facial hair, the parenting coach emphasized that it’s important for him to continue doing the same things he always does with the kids.
Prince William showed off his new facial hair during an official visit to South Africa this week.
Ketley also recommended letting your kids know that dad will grow facial hair before it happens.
You can even play games with the growing beard, Ketley suggested, like asking them to measure it or even comb it and put up some decorations for Christmas.
“This helps them see that despite his changing appearance, he is still a dad and nothing else is changing,” he said.
Ketley also recommended letting your children know that their parents will grow facial hair before this happens.
It can also be helpful to approach the topic in a playful way, giving the example that it will be like a “furry caterpillar” or something similar, which can make the new change “feel exciting and fun.”
“If the child is very young, a gradual approach, such as slowly growing stubble before growing a full beard, may make it easier for him or her to adjust to the transformation,” he offered.
You can even play games with your growing beard, Ketley suggested, like having the kids measure it or even combing it and putting up some decorations for Christmas.
Books can also be useful, especially when the characters have beards.
But in the end, with or without bread, everything will be okay for your little ones, Ketley promised.
“Give it time,” he said. “It shouldn’t take long for the kids to adjust, so be patient and everything will be fine.”
