For the kids: Should I relax or give my child braids?

This seems to be a very tough question for many hard working mothers. I alaways hear, " I dont have the time to do her hair every morning, can I relax it or put it in braids?" Well, thanks to Chris Rock movie " Good Hair" it helped alot of women defer from putting chemicals in their children's hair. But, yet they still dont know how to take care of it. And some still choose to put the relaxer in it anyways.

As a child develops up until they reach pubirty, the hair is still weak. Which makes it very easy to damage their scalp. It doesn't matter if it is a kiddie perm or regular strength relaxer, the chemical is the same. What people dont understand is that what you put on your scalp goes into your bloodstream. So I am telling you that when you give your child a relaxer you are allowing this chemical to flow in your childs bloodstream. and because your child has not fully develope that means her immune system is not strong enough to fight off dangerous and harmful foregin objects in her body. Which can lead to long-term health problems. Or as she becomes an adult she can devlope Alopecia in the scalp. Kids should not be allowed to get relaxers until 18 when they are fully develped.

Now your wondering well, "If I can't give her a relaxer than can I give her braids?" Sorry this is not an option either. Let me clear something up, it is ok to braid her hair but not weave braids. Braids are cute and they help you to not do her hair often. But they too are harmful to the scalp. Weave is very dry and is stronger than hair from the scalp, due to the chemical process they perform on the weave. It makes it last longer but it also pulls the hair when braiding and most mothers leave braids in their children hair for months thinking only about what works for them. Kids are very active and are wild sleepers so these styles are not made for a childs lifestyle. Kids dont pay attention to their scalp. They more than likely will not tell you if their scalp is too tight, dry or if one of there braids fell out. Though the hair is put up in braids and looks the best. It is in the most fragile state. And if one continues to wear braids, all that pulling on the hair will eventually damage the root and also will create Alopecia into adulthood.

Now, I know you feel like you are running out of options but if you know me and my blog you know what I am going to say. Natural Styles are the best way! It is very easy and very cute! Doing twist or leaving it curly is absolutely the best way to care for your childs hair. You letting her hair rest and continue to grow longer and stronger. Give's your child's hair a fighting chance to be healthy. They can still be active and even sleep wild. The key is to start while they are young by just doing simple twist as they get older the easier and easier it will become to style it. Now, if your child is already in the relaxer phase you transition her out by two strand twist with rods. Here are some other great ideas!

two strand twist into ponytail

let her locs flow free

two strand flat twist

two strand ponytail

flat twist and curls