What position we sit in to braid cornrows up the back of V's head? Well, I am sure many of you have figured out good ways to do this, maybe you even have a better technique than I do! But I have been asked this question many times, so I finally made a video to demonstrate!
V actually HATES it when I braid up the back. Mostly because she doesn't want to peel her eyes away from the TV but also because it can be slightly uncomfortable. Even so, she is used to it and with a slight grumble here and there she puts up with it pretty well. This is probably because I generally don't put up with much complaining when it comes to hair time. (here comes some un-asked-for parenting advice - oooOOOooo, it's like a double tidbit!)
Whenever my girls get whiny about hair time my standard response is. "I am sorry that you are getting bored (uncomfortable, whatever the complaint may be) but please don't whine about it. I am also ready to be done with hair time, but we still have a ways to go and I really don't want to listen to complaining the whole rest of the time. My arms and back are starting to hurt too, but we just have to remember that you are going to look SO GREAT when this is done! So just hang in there, we can do it!"
That might sound a little harsh, but it's honest. I try to keep hair time as positive as possible so that they don't have negative feelings toward their hair, but I am not going to sugar coat the truth. Yes, every few weeks we have to put some long hard hours into hair time. No, that is not always fun. But you are always super happy with the results, so the hard work is worth it. And after we are done you will get to go at least 3 weeks without having to worry about it! And they get enough positive reinforcement about how amazing their hair is that I think they can handle being honest about the sort of negative parts as well.
Well, that is your double tidbit for today! Thanks for stopping by!
Katie
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I'm with you on the no nonsense hair time. I'm a full time grad student,and, like you've said before, my time fixing up my own hair often ends up being raking a comb through it asap and using sunglasses or hat. Usually I have a ton of homework waiting for me after hair time and a ratty tangled mess on my own head. By the time my back is sore and fingers tired from contorting around to keep my girl comfy as we braid, my sympathies don't run high for whining.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love hair time. I think my daughter generally likes it too. But no, we're not always in the mood for it, though we have to get it done when we have set aside time for it.
Great tips on braiding the back! I forget about braiding at all on a couch/floor. I usually braid while my daughter reads or does activities at the table. Switching to the couch for the back will be a nice option (though my daughter also hates having her back cornrowed, she loves the results).
Thanks so much for your great ideas and continuing to share them!
ReplyDeleteNo parenting advice from me! I love your blog all the ideas it gives me. Dd loves the videos.
ReplyDeleteI don't get a lot of complaining from hair time (no idea why) but get it other times like in the car on the way home from school (just bad mood times) and I just cut it off right then or it will go on and on and usually things are ok. I'm not big on sucking it in but with some kids you have to do that. And you have multiple heads to deal with.
yay for keeping it real about your hair response! i can't get over how many times i hear from parents about how their child won't site for more than 3 minutes while they brush their hair. i'm in charge of hair, not my daughter, and until she can do it herself i call the shots. it's not being mean, it's being loving. i care enough to take care of my daughter's hair! if that sounds harsh, so be it! i love reading this blog, it has been such an inspiration to me, as i am the mother of a mere toddler. i have much to look forward to! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog! I have the same view of hair time. I agree with Rory above...there is no need to go out with uncombed hair. I am so glad to be finding these blogs. My daughters are biracial and my hair won't even hold a curl so it's a huge learning process for me.
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