Caring for your Ethiopian child’s hair can seem like a daunting task and I know there is a steep learning curve. But you can do it! And you don’t have to know how to braid hair like these photos to keep your child’s hair looking healthy and well-cared-for. I have heard more than once from families who have been approached in public about their child’s hair – with compliments but also criticism along the lines of “White people can’t do black hair” and “That child’s hair is nappy!” Hair is very important in black culture so it’s worth the time and effort it takes to learn how to take good care of your child’s curly locks.
My purpose here is to give a few resources and then have as many people as possible leave comments with what’s worked or not worked for you. This isn’t intended to be the definitive source of information on black hair care for kids and all links are here for you to check out and decide if there’s anything helpful there you can use.
First, a few websites and blogs that offer great advice, product recommendations and tips for styling.
and click on hair care videos)
Several YWAM families have shared what they’ve learned about hair care – much of it from personal experience! You have to find what works for your child’s hair and your own budget and time schedule. But do take the time to glean as much as you can from as many sources as you can. It’s definitely not an area you can just overlook! Click on these links to YWAM family blog posts about hair care:
7,739 Miles Away
It is amazing how far I have come in my confidence with doing Bella's hair (Her texture is soft curl). So what I have learned in two years is…1. a sleeping cap is a must 2. No product is a secret remedy. My AA friends also are searching. So, a great product will build up/dry out and then it will be time to try change it up a bit. 3. the teezer is a great brush and available a t sally's beauty supply 4. My friend who is a pediatrician at a clinic that has a predominately AA clientele alerted me to not using estrogen based products on Bella's hair or skin. Now, I look, but truly don't know if I would be able to discern what is and what is not estrogen based….but I do look for things that have mostly natural products. 5. Have a "go to" style for those mornings that are hectic and you need to get out the door. 6. Find someone who cuts or styles AA hair that can be a great resource. Frank does Bella's hair and he is ggreat at telling me if her hair is looking good or dry. We go every 8 weeks for a trim. 7. Have fun:)
I thought since we were adopting a boy I was off the hook for hair care… wrong! My tips are… 1. Don't use shampoo very often, if at all. Condition-only washes still get the hair clean and don't dry it out. 2. Coconut oil is a wonderful product for scalp, hair, and skin. 3. A quick-fix for short hair is a few sprays of water followed by a dab of conditioner massaged through the hair and left in. 4. Enjoy the hair God gave your kiddo and don't try to get it to look like so-and-so's hair – there are as many types of African hair as there are kids and they are all beautiful!
This is GREAT information. Bookmarking this post. Thank you all so much for sharing your tips!!
2 other inspirational links for your kids are the I love my hair song by sesame street and whip my hair by Willow Smith. check them out! Marjorie