Do you have memories of sitting in between your mother's legs while she parted your hair, oiled your scalp, and styled you up in some plaits and twists, perhaps with pretty clips and bubbles and elastics? Are those memories fond or fearful? For me, they're all warm and fuzzy. Having my mom wash and braid me up for school was usually something I looked forward to - her hands were gentle, I loved the smell of the African Pride scalp oils she used (remember the yellow ones filled with petroleum and "herbs"?), and we had fun watching TV or talking while she got me ready for the next day of school.
I know that for others, the memories aren't so sweet. Hair being scraped back and torn with rough combing, singes from irons used to "tame" naps, and harsh comments about how tough, nappy, and bad one's hair was. I've seen the after-effects of negative treatment pass down much more visibly than the positive - mothers who were told their hair was "bad" have practiced the same with their own children, especially their daughters. Seeing 4 year olds with relaxed hair makes me sad. Hearing mothers talk about how terrible their child's hair is in front of the child makes me cringe. I have heard Black women admit to choosing fathers of another race in order to ensure that her daughter didn't have "nappy-ass hair" like she did. I've spoken with White mothers who have children with Black men, but have absolutely no clue what to do with their baby's hair.
If you're a parent struggling with your child's hair, you aren't alone! I'm no hair professional, but here are some tips I've acquired to help create more happy, healthy memories when it comes to little ones and their hair.
- Moisturizing is the key: kids' hair can get extremely dry. From wearing wool hats in the winter, to going to swimming lessons, to a general rough and tumble lifestyle, so many things can zap the moisture right out of your little one's hair. If they also have tight kinks and curls, you'll want to pay even more attention to this. Adding a bit of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or jojoba oil to shampoos and conditioners is always a good move. Stick to natural moisturizers like coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter to juice up your child's hair before styling, and to moisturize hair in between washes.
- Detangling doesn't have to be torture: the keys to detangling are tools + technique. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently but thoroughly detangle hair section by section, and if you have extra time, use your fingers as a comb to remove any tiny knots or tangles. Never detangle your little one's hair when it's dry! The best time to do so is when their hair is soaking wet and full of conditioner - this helps your comb to move through the hair much easier, and less painfully too. If their hair does dry before you've been able to detangle, keep a spritz bottle of water and leave-in conditioner handy to wet the hair again before running through with the comb.
- Young scalps are important: Are you concerned with the rate at which your child's hair is NOT growing? It all starts at the scalp. School-aged children are prone to getting a little bit of everything in their hair, and if yours also sweats in their scalp, you'll need a good clarifying shampoo. Scalps need to be able to breathe in order for hair growth to flourish, so keep that in mind. Also - don't gunk your child's head with petroleum based oils and greases. Those products usually sit on top of the scalp without providing any nourishing properties. Try applying castor oil to your little one's scalp to moisturize and promote growth.
- Styles matter: Most parents I know limit "out" days and keep their children's hair in mainly protective styles. Smart move, as this could save you the tears and extra time to detangle at the next wash day. In the same vein, don't be afraid to try your hand at some new styles! Buns, braids, twists, cornrows - the options are endless! If you aren't as skilled as you'd like to be, or if your busy schedule makes it hard to recreate fresh and fab styles, hit up your friendly neighbourhood braider to get a style that may last your child a week or 2 at a time! Whatever route you take, remember that young hairlines are sensitive - don't cause damage by braiding, pulling, or combing too tightly. Also, take care of exposed ends. Try applying shea butter or coconut oil to the ends of hair to protect from dryness and splitting.
(don't the above tips reflect the same things we adults do for our natural hair care? Get the kiddies started off right!)
- Watch your words: I have colleagues and acquaintances in their 50s who remember, clear as day, the way their mothers used to disparage and criticize their hair - those memories don't easily fade away. Remove the negative speak when taking care of your child's hair, and replace it with positives. Children first develop their self-esteem through what they're taught and told at home - besides, there are sufficient messages in the world to tell your child why they aren't good enough. Do you want to add to that, or help to strengthen your child against it? Use your words to instill pride and love in your child's hair, so that they can absorb that pride and love for themselves. Instead of teaching them how to "fix" their hair, teach them how to take care of it. "Fixing" indicates that something is wrong - and as long as your child's hair is healthy, it'll be alright!
Looking for some more online resources to help with hair care for the Mini-Mes? Check out Hair-Raising Adventures, Baby Big Hair, Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care, and the Curly Kids/Natural Kids tags on CurlyNikki! If you have any more questions or tips to share, hit up the comments section!