Send help…
The title is dramatic. I’m telling you now. Though I need help in many ways on any given day of the week, this time in particular I’m sending an S.O.S for help with my daughter’s hair. HAHA! No seriously.
I haven’t a clue what to do with it. Okay let me clarify. I can’t do the one style that is probably the most necessary for my busy toddler - braids. It’s not like I didn’t have time to prepare. I did… but I must have thought that overnight I would suddenly be gifted with the braider hands that my mother, and her mother, and everybody’s mother seem to have when you… well… become a mom. But apparently that is not the case.
For anyone reading this who might not be aware, braids are an integral part of black culture. They are as much about expressing ourselves and our style, as they are about protecting our hair which thrives the most on low/no manipulation hairstyles (e.g. braids). As a little girl I remember getting my hair washed and braided routinely. I also vividly remember the beads. Oh… those beads. Secured with a tiny piece of foil, or a rubber band situation, I swear I had hundreds in my hair at a time but I digress. The point is that I feel like I should have come out of the womb with braiding skills, but that unfortunately is not the case.
I’m not going to say people didn’t try to teach me, because they did. And I’m also not going to pretend I don’t know how to braid at all… because… I do. Just not in any kind of way that would be considered… a style. Nor in any kind of way that will last longer than the time it took me to do them. Egghhh. So, for now… baby girl rotates variations of “puff” and “bun” hairstyles:
One puff
Two puffs
One bun
Two buns
You get the idea. If I’m feeling fancy, I may change up the parts - and the adornments, or give her a puff bang… but that’s about it.
We have been lucky a couple times and actually got her to sit still for a braided style compliments of my mother, but I think it will be a little while longer before I can count on it. Probably a good thing so I can get my act together.
So, what tips do you have for styling toddler hair? And more importantly, protecting it? I am all about low maintenance with styles and hair regimens so let me know below what styles your tot currently rocks, and what products/staples are your faves! Below are some of mine. Note this list includes affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you click the links and decide to purchase. That said - I only link products that I use regularly and love for myself and my family!: