On Thursday, Prince William admitted that his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, burst into tears when he grew a beard for the first time this summer – but now a parenting expert has revealed her top tips to help children adapt to the change.
Speaking to reporters during an official visit to South Africa this week, the father of three explained that the princess hated his stubble so much that he had to shave it off the first time, but she found out later.
‘The first time I grew a beard I got teary-eyed, so I had to shave it off. And then I let it grow again,” said the Prince of Wales.
“I thought, ‘Wait a minute,’ and I convinced her it would be OK.”
Now Princess Charlotte seems to accept her father’s beard, but according to… UK-based parenting expert and specialist Kirsty Ketley, There’s a good reason why children may be angry or confused when their father or other family member suddenly starts growing facial hair.
On Thursday, Prince William admitted that his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, burst into tears when he grew a beard for the first time this summer.
Now parenting expert Kirsty Ketley has revealed her top tips to help children adapt to this change
‘The first time I grew a beard I got teary-eyed, so I had to shave it off. And then I let it grow again,” said the Prince of Wales
“Children, especially younger children, really like familiarity because it gives them a sense of security,” Ketley told DailyMail.com exclusively.
“It can be surprising for them to see a parent, especially one as well-known as Dad, suddenly look different,” she explained.
‘Children developmentally learn to recognize people by specific facial features, so a significant change such as facial hair can confuse them or make them feel temporarily insecure or anxious.’
She 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 get used to the new change.
‘Parents can help by making the change feel fun and gradual and involving the children,’ Ketley told DailyMail.com.
‘Show children pictures of Dad with facial hair – recreate a photo, or show previous pictures of times he had facial hair, if possible let them playfully touch or see the new look up close.’
And while their dad is growing out his facial hair, the parenting consultant stressed that it’s important that he still does 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 grow facial hair before it happens
You can even make games with the growing beard, Ketley suggested, by having them measure the beard, or even comb it and put some baubles in it for Christmas.
“This helps them see that despite his changing appearance, he is still a father and nothing else changes,” she said.
Ketley also recommended letting your children know that their parents will grow facial hair before it happens.
It can also help to approach the subject in a playful way, by giving the example that it will be a ‘fluffy 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 out stubble before a full beard, can make it easier for him to get used to the transformation,” she suggested.
You can even make games with the growing beard, Ketley suggested, like having kids measure it, or even comb it and put some baubles in it for Christmas.
Books can also be useful, especially if the characters have beards.
But in the end, with or without bread, your little ones will be fine, Ketley promised.
“Give it time,” she said. “It doesn’t take long for children to adjust, so be patient and everything will be fine.”