Kids in the Salon
“Why can’t I bring my kid to my nail appointment?
This is a tough one for nail techs; most aren’t sure how to handle the enquiry. It’s difficult to assess when children behave differently and parenting styles vary. Many nail techs have kids themselves and they understand how helpful it is to bring the little ones along. Still, depending on the situation, letting them come may not prove to be all fun and games. Let’s consider a few reasons why.
Lack of proper accommodations.
Most salons simply don’t have enough room to properly accommodate children. Each square foot costs money, so every bit of space is utilized. Often, salons don’t even have a spot where kids can sit, so they end up sitting on the floor.
Puts techs behind schedule.
Nail techs are always on a schedule. If the parent needs to attend to their child during the appointment, it puts the tech behind. Often there is a bathroom break needed for the little one as well as general fussings or even the occasional tantrum to contend with. Any of which will leave the tech behind schedule for the rest of their work day.
Treatment interference.
Say the child needs a bathroom break right in the middle of the appointment. Their parent takes them, but it is difficult with their nails partially done and still needing to set properly. The parent must remember to do so in a clean manner, without washing their hands as this can seriously affect the adhesion of the nails. If they end up needing to wash their hands while assisting their child and they don’t, a whole other set of issues is created…
Safety risk for the child.
A more concerning issue when little ones are present is the potential for actual harm to come to them. Here’s an example: a child is on the floor (as there’s nowhere else to sit) and there happens to be acrylic dust that wasn’t cleaned up where they are seated. Their hands come into contact with the dust, they then rub their face causing the dust to get in their eyes. This is very uncomfortable for the child and makes for a stressful day for everyone involved. While this is a milder example of what could happen, the products and chemicals found in salons can be very harmful if not used properly. If a chemical caused more than an irritation to a child, the liability for the salon would be detrimental, financially and emotionally.
Disruptive to the environment and experience.
Salons usually provide a calming, stress free atmosphere for clients to relax and unwind in. Bringing a young child into this type of space can be disruptive to the other clients who did plan on childcare so that they could relax. It can also be disruptive to the parent’s experience as well. It’s difficult to lay back and let go while also keeping an eye on your child.
It may be best to come solo to your nail appointment– unless you happen to have an adorable puppy to keep your kid entertained!
Every salon differs on their policy when it comes to allowing kids. Some are accommodating, while others opt for a blanket rule on the issue and don’t allow it at all. If bringing your child is really important to you, seek out a salon that does welcome children. You can also try an independent nail tech. Many techs who work from home have less of a problem with kids coming along as their environment is more controlled. Their workspace is smaller and more private, which makes it easier to keep an eye on the child. They also have more space that is their own and not shared, so providing seating/accommodations for children can be easier. Having said that, like salons, all techs differ as well, so check with them beforehand.
Now that we know why kids and appointments may not go so well together and where we can go if we still want to bring them, let’s talk about what to tell your client when asked this sticky question…
As a nail tech, it is up to you to decide your policy. If you work in a salon, the policy may already be decided for you, which makes things easier, as you become more of the messenger. For nail technicians who work for themselves, it is their decision. Be honest with yourself and with your clients. If you are someone who needs a calm and quiet environment to do your work, you may find it’s better for everyone if you say no. Alternatively, you may be someone who thrives with a bit of energy in the room and can work with the flow of what the child may bring. Either way, own it. If it’s no, explain to your client that you want to provide the best quality of work and service for them and that their child can interfere. If your client values your work, they will respect and understand this. If they choose to go elsewhere, it just means that they have different needs. If you decide to give it the green light, scheduling in a bit of extra time in the appointment for bathroom/tantrum breaks can go a long way in ensuring that no one gets stressed out.
Whether you are the client or the tech in this scenario, remember to be clear, honest and understanding. There is a place for every type of tech and client out there, it might just take a little bit of effort to find it. When you do, everyone is happy.
