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My step daughter did the same things.  It was a combination of fear to get soap in the eyes, and brushing it afterward.  She was told that either she lets us wash it, or it will be cut off.

My son does the same thing... I am surprised the neighbors haven't called the police because he screams as if I were breaking his legs.  It's like trying to give a cat a bath and how they try to claw their way out.  He was clinging to me and screaming.  All I was trying to do was rinse the shampoo out of his hair!  Right now he refuses to even get in the tub at all so if anything works for anyone else PLEASE let me know!  My son loved getting a bath just a few days ago... I have no idea what happened!

I already have the cup and tonight all he did was take it from me and throw it out of the tub.  It's gotten to the point that just the mention of a bath and he is screaming.  He refuses to even get in the water!  I had to hold him down to wash the peanut butter out of his hair.  I don't know what to do.

   At another time other than bathtime (such as dinnertime) let your child know that you empathize with his or her fear of hairwashing and that you have come up with a new, fun way to do hair.  Before the next shampoo purchase a few bathtime puppets: at least one for your child and one for you, a few new bath toys, and a new tearless, kids shampoo  that smells good and you have not used before. Some kids get freaked out just seeing the familiar shampoo bottle! Also buy a unbreakable handmirror if you don't have one so your child can admire her animal ears. Before bathtime remind your daughter or son, you will be making animal ears in the tub and talk about the ones they want eg. bunny, cat, dog,etc  know you have figured a way to keep soap and water out of her face and eyes but you will need her help. To keep all the soap and water out of your face you can do coyote calls and then demonstrate by looking up and howling. Use the puppets to wet and very gently rub shampoo into your daughters hair. If your child starts to get upset and scared remind them that you are making up soap for ears. and that the soap and water will not get in their face at all. Then make sure it doesn't   Make as many as three soapy animal  ears the first time. After they have enjoyed looking at animal ears, tell your child that it's time to do coyote calls and remind her how. Use the puppet to rinse off hair during coyote calls. I used this tecnique many times with scared kids.  One 2 year old I babysat for cried every time her mom, dad, or sister washed her hair. I reassured her that I wouldn't pour water over her face or put her under water which is what she mostly feared. She had a great time and did not cry at all. She actually laughed.  From then on out it was easy to wash her hair.  In fact now she asks me to make animal ears everytime I come over! Take your time and make things fun. You may want to join your child in the tub and make yourself some ears with her the first time. It takes a little extra time I realize to change your routine and work through fears. It is worth it!  Bathtime  and hairwashing will become enjoyable .  Let me know how it goes.

My son does the same thing. I did my best to keep the water out of his eyes by using wet washcloths or making sure that he tipped his head up before I poured the water on his hair. It helped to have him help rinse his hair when I was done. If he was the one pouring the water on his head, he was a little less afraid of it. Eventually he grew out of it.

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