PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTIN SHOOTS PEOPLE
We live in an ugly world where children are bullied, teased, and ridiculed for being different. There are so many obstacles to greatness, but the biggest one is empowering your children to build positive self-worth. Instill them with self-respect and self-love and they will aspire to be great influencers in the world. Sappy, maybe but true nonetheless.
One perfect way to teach your children self-love is to show them the beauty and intelligence they possess, and they will accept it for the truth that it is. One love they should possess is the love of their natural hair no matter the texture, color, length, or thickness.
“You hair is very unique and special just like you”
They need to be reminded that they are unique and special. Everyone is special, and who better to lavish them with reassurance than the people who love them the most.
“Your hair is like my hair”
Make the connection with you or another family member with your child’s hair texture. If you want your child to be natural and a lover of her natural hair, it’s important to show her by being that example. If you alter your natural texture but don’t want her to, then you must affirm your love for her natural texture.
“Anyone can have straight hair”
No, we are not trying to encourage hate but it is important to instill a sense of pride in children with wavy, curly, or coily hair. The beauty industry does not celebrate on non-straight textures so we must shine our own light and embrace our beauty.
“Princesses have all types of hair, including wavy, curly, and coily hair”
It’s up to you as a parent to find books that show the likeness of your child. They are out there and they are waiting to be loved by a little waved, curly, and coily haired princess.
“Your hair is big and beautiful”
All children anticipate growing up to be big and strong. No one wants to stay little forever so if they have that wild, big, beautiful hair tell them how great it is to have that big hair and how they will grow into it! Make them proud of their greatness.
“When you love it, it will grow”
The love, care, and pride must be reinforced as we all have our down times when we just don’t like our hair. Making the connection with love and growth is key so they will be love and nurture their hair. All living things need love whether it’s in the form of water, food, and care.
“Be gentle to your hair and it will grow big like you”
We all know how fragile our hair is and as a result many have discontinued the use of combs and brushes. This needs to be passed down to our children so they don’t break their hair with harsh tools and products. They need products specifically for their hair, and if parents instill that into them at a young age, they will carry that with them through adolescence and adulthood. We are their first teachers.
“Healthy food and playtime creates happy hair”
Start the relationship with good eating and exercise so it becomes a habit with your children. All the doctors agree that children (and adults”> need to eat healthy and exercise, so incorporate that into their hair growth and overall health.
“I love your hair”
You must show them how much you love their curls, coils, and waves. They are a part of you and their hair is a part of them so how can you not love it?
Sabrina, founder of seriouslynatural.org and contributor to several online publications, is a freelance writer who engages her audiences on the relevance of natural hair, beauty, and style.
All photos by Christin Armstrong of Christin Shoots People, and follow her adorable daughter Riley on Instagram @riley_elle.
