for my girls

I found something today on the blog Love Isn't Enough that is a must-read, which linked to a post on Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care.  Here is a snippet:

"Dear People Who Have, or May, Come Into Contact with My Daughter,

Thank you so much for your interest in my daughter’s hair. Yes, it is beautiful, we both appreciate your compliments. Yes, she’s very patient and has no problem sitting to have her hair done. She’s been getting her hair done since she was very small and knows of nothing else; her hair regime is a fact of life and she doesn’t see it as the burden that you do. Nor do I.

While asking me about my daughter’s hair, please do not start touching it. Just because I am a vanilla parent this does not mean that you have an “in” to touch chocolate hair for the first time."

Please, please, PLEASE go read the rest of this post!  People fingering my girls' hair is one of my hugest pet peeves!

Comments

[Cindy Willey]

Hi Heidi,
Love the post but I must say, I really do wonder how you are able to get your little one to hold still while you do her hair. My daughter has a head full of white girl hair and just getting a barrette it is a MAJOR undertaking! Maybe she is just the most tenderheaded, impatient, fast on her feet child ever? I have touched many a black head of hair in my day (never out of curiosity, mostly at one job or another, don't panic! and have had my hair touched by many a black child) and I KNOW that it takes time and effort to style any child's hair. Now I feel foolish for asking or wondering about hair style time but as the mom of a child whose hair is so wild we call her Poodle, I honestly wonder about what other moms do and what I could try to make hair grooming easier. If I have ever asked you how you do it, please know that my wondering is honest and true and that I am looking for tips.

Cindy (thinking about shaving her daughter's head bald) Willey

[Heidi]

Oh Cindy, I miss you! :) I want to see you and your poodle sometime again! Anyway, I have always had success doing hair when my girls are watching t.v. I might start doing it while they are eating breakfast (or any meal, really), but they quickly finish and need something to entertain them. Both of them will sit very still for quite a long time if they are watching something they like. Although the other day when I wanted nothing more than for Lexi to look forward, she kept trying to turn around to talk to me about the conductor on Thomas the Train. I also give in to food demands...when Lexi wants pretzels at 8:00am after she has eaten her breakfast food, I give them if it will keep her happy while I do her hair!