Re: Relaxing a 3year old\'s hair!!!!
I'm a mother of a 7 year old daughter. I won't even bother listing her hair type cause it really doesn't matter to me. Let's just say she has some thick stuff. Yes my daughter screams sometimes when I comb her hair. When she does I apologize, soothe her, calm her down, then proceed to doing her hair. There's a patch right smack in the middle of her head that has the tightest texture. I pay extra attention to this spot, adding more conditioner, wetting it down, combing in very small sections. There's no way around it; combing dry hair will cause problems. So I always comb when wet.
I'll set aside time so I won't be rushed. My daugher always knows way in advance what day I will be doing her hair. I will either put on her favorite video or tv show, a favorite book, or a coloring book with crayons and markers (some snacks won't hurt either, she loves fruit roll-ups). Anything to distract her from causing a hissy fit. I'm always mixing up concoctions for our hair. I squirt some liquid leave in into a spray bottle, add some Nexxus Humectress, some drops of sweet almond oil, a few squirts of FOTE aloe vera, a shower comb and it's off to the races. I section her hair off with duck bill clips, and proceed to braiding. If the hair becomes dry by the time I get to it, I will wet that sucker down some more. There's never a shouting match in our house when I'm doing her hair.
When I'm done she's all smiles, primping in the mirror, shaking her head from side to side. I get hugs and kisses as a reward. Yes it takes time, love and LOTS of PATIENCE. Did I mention love? But once it's done, standing before me is a beautiful confident child who knows she's different from her white classmates with straight hair.
Realistically there will come a time when my daughter balks at wearing braids to school. I know once she hits 5th grade things will change. We will find other alternatives for styling but I will not resort to using chemicals in her hair. No child NEEDS a relaxer! Even if left on for a nano-second, that stuff will cause burns. Why risk it? But such is life, you do you and I'll do me.
Peace!