Natural hair: Hard Work or a Life Skill?

I wrote this post way back in January but I never posted it because I was angry and it really sounded like I had taken a swig of poison before writing it.  However several months down the line, the sentiment still holds true and I really have not simmered down at all, so I wish to share it with you.






I read a comment on another blog which incensed me. I will not quote it verbatim but the essence of it was a mother who said she does not see the benefit of spending hours doing her child's hair. She did not have several hours to detangle the hair, her child cried during the process and she felt that she was giving undue importance to hair.



It is at times like this when I wish that I could dish out a virtual hand slap (should not really have crossed it out) to this mother. I want to address the subject of unrealistic expectations which I feel this mother is guilty of.



1. Time Spent on Detangling:



Depending on the child's age and hair thickness it is not unexpected to spend 1-3 hours detangling hair, the curlier the hair, the more time you need to devote to this.  I will repeat this, It is NOT unexpected to spend several hours detangling hair.



2. Crying During Detangling



If your child is crying during the process, you are ripping the child's hair. Think about it, if you yanked a single strand of hair, how painful would it be? It is not unexpected that your child will cry. Yes, many of us grew up with the message that we should sit still and bear the pain but surely, we now know that legacy is wrong. We can be gentle and we can take our time!



3. Giving Undue Importance to hair



Are you really giving undue importance to hair by spending the necessary time and patience to make sure the hair is in good condition? No, you are teaching your child a life skill and helping her love her natural hair.