If you were like me, you remember the long Sunday wash days spending hours in front of the TV sitting between your mothers legs, either crying or moaning in pain!
Some of my fondest (and worst”> childhood memories have to do with my Mum doing my hair, and I’m thankful.
Since I am an only child, these memories stand out because I could only imagine how precious that one-on-one time was for those who grew up with siblings. If you were like me, often wearing braids or cornrows as a child, you remember the long Sunday wash days spending hours in front of the TV sitting between your mothers legs, either crying or moaning in pain! Now looking back, it was a perfect time to bond with my Mum.
Coming from a mixed ethnic background, hair care is usually a big difficulty as my mother has a completely different hair texture and type from mine. She is Scottish (white”> and although she had natural curls, she grew up wearing her hair straight most of the time. This made it difficult for maintaining a regimen that worked for my hair type.
My curly hair needed a lot of moisture and styling to tame it for playing around outside and going to school. Every evening, Mum would condition my hair and plait it up before bedtime. Fridays were so much fun–she would allow me to have my hair in a ponytail for school with waves from my hair being in braids all week long! Now, that style is popularly known as the braid-out. Mum and I would both be in awe of my curls on washday when they were soaked in conditioner; we both just couldn’t find a product that would allow my hair to stay with that beautiful definition without becoming frizzy or shrinking so much!
As most teens do, I rebelled from Mum. When it came to hair care, I wanted to feel like a grownup. Really, I should have taken the advantage of free hair care! Instead, I wanted to be like the other girls at school who wore their curly hair out or in buns. Once I got to high school, I begged Mum to colour my hair, which she was highly against but finally gave in and let me do at my own risk.
In a way, my personal journey through hair care with the help of my mother was important as a young woman. I started off innocent and young, doing everything right and obediently. Then, I went through a rebellious time. Finally, I came back around at the end and realised: Mum knows best.
Today my Mum loves to wear her natural curls instead of straightening them, thanks to my advice on styling and products! I am so grateful for the love and dedication she gave to me. I understand that she did as much as she could to maintain and keep my curls healthy. As a woman in Europe and no formal knowledge of curls or black hair, she gets major props for trying.
Thanks Mum!
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