I could use some help with Childrens policies.  Let me tell you a story.

A client came in with 2 children (3 and 7) for a waxing service.  While she was being waxed her 7 y/o was left in charge of the 3 y/o.  We do have a sign that states NOT to leave your children unattended, but obviously some people are immune to it.  The 3y/o had to use the restroom.  Mind you I've just remodeled and expanded in the last year.  The salon is gorgeous!  The little girl goes to the restroom without the 7 y/o and locks the dead bolt.  (There is also a lock on the knob)  She does her thing and freaks out because she can't figure out how to unlock the dead bolt.  Of course this has all happened unbeknownst to me as I was with a client of my own.  Everyone, including my stylists, start freaking out.  One of my stylists starts picking at the dead bolt with a screwdriver, damaging the lock in the process.  I had to call the big box store, where we are located, to borrow a ladder long enough to reach the ceiling.  One of our male clients, against my better judgment, climbed up into the ceiling and hammered out a whole in my brand new ceiling so he could jump down, unlock the door and rescue the child.  All is well, he wasn't hurt and received a free service for his efforts, and the little girl was fine.  I did call the next day to make sure she wasn't too traumatized.  Mom said she had a great story for her friends at pre-school the next day and I made a friend of the parent.  Bottom Line........I have a gaping hole in the ceiling of my new bathroom!  The "guts" of the dead bolt have been removed as another adult client was locked in because of the damage my stylist did to the lock with the screwdriver.  Thank God this Adult client had a cell phone and called the front desk to let us know she was in there.  WOW  what an ordeal! 

My question is:  what should a sign say to made sure parents have someone (0ld enough and responsible enough) supervising their kids while they are receiving a service, and still be tactful?  I was going to put a sign under the hole stating "This is the result of an unattended child.  Parents will be help liable for damages in rescueing their child".  Any suggestions?  Mind you, we are a family friendly salon, NOT a kid friendly salon.

This problem could have been avoided if you or the owner had informed the client that children are not to be left unattended. A redundancy, I know. But it's imperative to your salon's liablity health. It is the parent's responsibility to look out for their own children. Unfortunately, the salon seems to be the most popular place for adults to bring their children and expect daycare services while they themselves are receiving services. It should have been made clear (reiterated) verbally, that children are only allowed in the reception area and if they have to use the bathroom, they must be accompanied by the parent. A child as small as 3 years old is not expected to go to the bathroom without supervision. The mother should have gone with her. This is a classic example of bad parenting.

Should this happen in the future, a child coming in with the parent, be sure to inform them of your children's policy. Warn parents on the phone at scheduling time that if their children must be brought to the salon, they are not to be left unattended.

The scenario you described is just another classic example of why I have made my salon a non children salon. Life is just too short for the hassle. We are not babysitters, although an amazing number of parents believe otherwise. A belief I find appalling and unacceptable.

Those who do not agree with or abide by my policy are free to go elsewhere. To them, I say, good riddance.

"The truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."
Winston Churchill

Dear ljmeyer-

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For the record (and the adults on this forum will be able to figure this out on their own), mine is not a child free salon because I "stick my nose up at children". Indeed, it's the irresponsible parents who have brought me to my decision. Further, it's not anyone's place to tell another owner not to make that decision. Until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes, it might be prudent to hold off on judging them. Remember, nobody is without their own character flaws.

Tat2draven, I do want to thank you for not going to salons that don't cater to such people. We are none the worse for it and neither are our grateful clients. In fact, I personally thank you for your compliance. I sincerely mean that.

"The truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."
Winston Churchill

I am not here to tell people how to run their salon, if you don't want children in your salon that's fine. I do. I love cutting kids hair and watching them grow up...I think that's the best kind of clientelle.

Children that grow up going to a salon usually stick with the same salon. I am not going to turn people away, a head is a head, therefore, I am not going to turn down money unless it's  a service I don't feel comfortable doing. I have my family to take care of. If you want to turn down people then by all means, do so. You probably make more than enough to support yourself and you have the right to be choosey.

 I"m simply giving my opinion,if it offends you, oh well, you don't seem to mind giving your opinions.  You dish out your opinions Nic, but it seems as if you get offended easily when someone else does the same. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.  By the way Nic, I am an adult and you will treat me as such, I've earned that much respect. If you don't see that than you are being just as ignorant and closeminded as the people you condemn.

You make all parents with children sound like a different species. I hope when you get old and feeble and can't take care of yourself, you don't have to depend on the children that you are so eager to turn down your services to. They might feel the same about you one day. That's really something to think about. And I'm really not trying to be hateful to anyone, I respect all of your opinions and choices, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them. I'm trying to have a civil conversation, with people from diverse backgrounds and all different opinions.

Not all children are bad, and it's only a few bad eggs that spoil things for other children and their parents. You'll always have a few bad ones and alot of good ones, but is a couple of bad experience so hard to handle? If a child gets out of hand in my salon I simply state that "you need to be good, you wouldn't want mommy to have to pay for that" or I'll tell the parent nicely that they need to keep an eye on their child because I don't want anyone getting hurt. No big deal,  if you handle things diplomatically it shouldn't be an issue.

Ok Ladies, lets calm down here for a second.  First of all I AM the owner of the salon.  I am also a practicing stylist and do have to spend quality time with my clients so I can't always watch what is happening in every corner of the salon.  Second, your'e right, my staff should have stepped in but I've been reassured that they fully expected the 7 y/o to go potty with the 3 y/o so she would not get locked in.  None of us had any way of knowing that this was going to happen.  No, it still doesn't make it right.  Third, my main priority WAS to get the child out safely and as fast as possible, NOT the damage to the salon, she was unharmed, thank the Lord, as I do know what could have happened if she was not ok, but my concern for the childs safety does not deterr my concern and being upset about my salon and the damage done.   Fourth, I did call the next day to check on the little girl, an uncaring mindless owner would not have done that and the mother was sure grateful, we've gained a good client and 2 potential clients in the process. 

I don't want to (and won't) become a "no kid" salon.  Our future business depends on those kids growing up and bringing future generations in with them.  When I wrote this message I was shaken and frustrated and needed some input from others in the undustry.  Things have since calmed down and we are getting the whole situation under control.  I do appreciate the input you all have given me, some helped and some didn't.  What I would like is suggestions or examples of signage people have used or are still using in their salons to help with this problem.  We are currently reviewing and revising our current children's policy and yes, it will be forced and reinforced from here on out. 

We do have alot of great kids that come in and are very well behaved.  We always welcome them with open arms, coloring books and sometimes a free curling iron from a stylist that has some down time.  I think this is good costumer relations.  One bad situation seems to outweigh 1000 great kids though. 

Thanks again for your input and wish me luck with our new policy.

I've been watching this post, and all the reply's. I love kids, have watched some grow from 2 years old to 14 years old. It's amazing watching them grow. I get a little thrill when they tell their mother, no only Janette can cut my hair lol. Had a little guy with the biggest blue eyes who had the biggest crush on me, he would yell I Love you to me across the street, he brightenened my day! LOL just remembered how upset he was when I went from blonde to brunette. He didn't like the change, took him a few minutes to get used to it. I digress.....

I am about to open my own Salon & Spa. I did not put children on my price list. I am not sure if I want to or not. I am thinking of offering a discount for the children, but not putting them on the price list. The type of Salon Spa I am opening is not the right atmosphere for children. I have a month to make this decision, which is why I am watching this post so intently. I would be horrified if I experienced what you did ljmeyer. I feel for you.

I owned a salon years ago and had a sign hanging that read, Children cannot be left unattended, because we love them too. It was simple, and parents didn't feel like they were being treated like children. Granted there is always that one parent that thinks... it will never happen to me or my children. My own children are not allowed to play in my place of business.

I don't like the kiddy corner. I am a germ freak. Coloring books and crayons are ok, but I feel kid corners with toys, and tables and chairs create a chaotic look, which effects the relaxed atmosphere, and I don't feel kids toys can be disinfected like the rest of the business.

There will be massages going on and to respect those who are getting services I need to find a way to keep things calm and peaceful. I've been thinking of a sign as well to address this.

Out of courtesy to other clients who are receiving services, we would appreciate a quiet atmosphere. Please turn cell phones to vibrate, and keep children calm.

Think that will work? I don't know if any sign will work unless you point it out to the client. My clients know how I feel. It's the new clients who don't know.

Good luck to everyone who has to deal with this situation, no matter how you feel about it. It's obviously an issue that we all deal with. I wish myself luck too.

AMirage

I LOVE your signage suggestions!  These are the kinds of suggestions I've been looking for.  Thank You so much for your input and I will defineatly take what you have said into deep consideration.  I too don't like the idea of a kiddy corner.  We are not running a day care here.  I also have long time clients that I watched grow up.  One in particular now has 3 children of his own.  I think it is wonderful being a part of their life, seeing them through highschool, college, marriage and childbirth, as well as getting to know their kids and watching them grow. 

Good luck to you in your new adventure and I look forward to seeing your web site in the future.

Thanks again.....

ljmeyer

We do have a sign up that shows a child + a picture of a curling iron & scissors= don't mix well. Please do not leave children unattended. It works well.

The kid's corner is not for some people, we have a small salon so it's convienent. Just because we have something to keep the kids entertained still does not mean the parents can just leave them their by theirselves and all of our parents know this. I am a germaphobe too that's why I love those clorox wipes and the spray anywhere disinfectant.

I don't think the integrity of my professionalism has went down because I do run a family salon...it depends on the person and how you run your salon. If I had a day spa I believe things would be different, but I don't.

thank you also for your input.  I think a photo that you discribed sound like a great idea also.  I do appreciate your input now and previously, I just felt that I had started a feud between you and another person, that was not my intent.  We have all had this problem at some point in our careers, whether it be as an owner or working in a salon that we do not own.  I feel the same as you, if I oiwned a day spa things would be different, but as an oiwner of a family oriented salon , not necessarily meaning kid friendly, we have to make a stand on our policies. I just needed some help on making those policies.  Thanks again for your help.

Have a Great Day

ljmeyer