Even on a stylist’s day off, she – that would be me – is still thinking about your hair! As I reflect, recharge, and review the appointment book, I am captivated by this advice for parents and I trust you will be too. Feel free to send us a message with your strands of thought on this topic. Remember, for a healthy hair opinion, products or styles for your child, #AskKarlinesSalon or schedule an appointment here. -Karline Ricketts, CEO and Master Stylist
By Erickka Sy Savané As the managing editor of CurlyNikki I read a lot of comments, especially on the Facebook page where folks nowadays seem more comfortable, or maybe it’s just more convenient, to sound off. This particular comment and question from a reader was tough to read, and I think anyone would agree, whether a parent or not: My daughter has 4c hair and the shrinkage is real! She gets teased at head start by her peers. They call her bald head and ugly because her hair isn’t long and silky. I try my best to instill in her love for her natural self. She doesn’t feel pretty unless she has crochets in. I was teased a lot in school, and it still has an affect on my self esteem. I’m afraid she’s going to end up the same way. How do we teach our kids to love themselves when we have other kids out here telling them they’re not good enough? Here’s what I do:
1. Affirm the beauty of hair like theirs. I always point out and affirm the beauty of black women with short to bald hair.
2. Affirm the beauty of their hair. When I’m combing, washing or conditioning their hair I tell them, “Oh your hair is so strong, soft and beautiful.” My youngest has heard it so much she says, “I know.”
3) Give their dolls a big chop.
4) Encourage them to draw pictures of themselves as they are.
5) Lay off the fake hair. I know. This can feel like throwing your kid into the lion’s den because you’re forcing them to wear their own short hair. Yes, you are throwing them into the lion’s den but the character they build so young by showing up in the world as their authentic selves is priceless.
6) If you have fake hair, lay off of it too. Yea, I know. Why Sway? Well, because kids learn more from what they see, not what we tell them.
7) Explain to them that there are a lot of people out there who just don’t get it.