A Mother's day post related to natural hair?....it's possible :)
Every now and again I read on blogs, forums or hear on Youtube how it takes a lot of effort and time to care for your natural texture. During those moments I just SMH and move on because for me it was the norm growing up. So, I find it hard to offer advice - to me its was a regular part of life. I actually suck at caring for straight hair and I never really know what to do with it - other than a side part or a ponytail. Growing up in our home no one had a relaxer - not me, my sister, or my mother.
That's a pic (from years ago) of my mother below:
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| My mother's freshly washed hair |
The hair memory that I have that I will never forget is when my mother would braid our hair in these tiny plaits - I believe it took about 2 hours - and we would wear them for about two weeks. Then when it was time to take them out, guess who had to do it? That was the worst! However, all those years helped me learn how to manage my texture and now with all this natural information out here I now know how to care for my texture.
I remember my aunt telling me that my mother used to make them sick (lol) because my grandmother could just glide the comb through her hair because it "didn't get all knotty." Also, I don't recall seeing any photos of my mom with an afro but my aunt had a nice brown round one :)
So from my mom I think I got the following:
- My hair does get "knotty"in some places and in others the comb (just glides right thru).
- I started getting gray hairs around age 24
- There is a piece in the back (nape area) that grow extremely fast
- And I will never put a relaxer in my daughter's hair
Things My Mother Taught Me
My Mother taught me LOGIC..."If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."
My Mother taught me MEDICINE..."If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way."
My Mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD..."If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"
My Mother taught me ESP..."Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?"
My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE..."What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"
My Mother taught me HUMOR..."When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT..."If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.
My mother taught me about GENETICS..."You are just like your father!"
My mother taught me about my ROOTS..."Do you think you were born in a barn?"
My mother taught me about the WISDOM of AGE..."When you get to be my age, you will understand."
My mother taught me about RECEIVING..."You are going to get it when we get home."
And, my all-time favorite - JUSTICE..."One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU -- then you'll see what it's like."
Have you observed any hair traits that you picked up from your mother?
