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I’m not sure which one of us hates wash day more — my daughter or me. Phoenix comes from a long, long line of “tender-headed” kids, and detangling her hair is an…involved process. From the second she catches sight of the conditioner, there’s screaming and crying. She goes through the first three stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining) before her hair is even wet. By the time I get the scrunchie out, we’re both depressed.
One day, I was scrolling through my news feed and saw a friend’s post about washing her daughter’s hair. She mentioned Curl Peace, a product line made especially for kids with curly, natural hair. “Buy it,” she commanded. “It’s cut the screaming down soooo much. My daughter even asked, ‘Can we just use this from now on?’”
I immediately ordered the entire line-up.
Now, the fact is, my kid is genetically blessed with a healthy dose of drama (she comes by this honestly). I don’t know if there’s anything in the world that will get her to love detangling my hair. However, I can truly say after months of use, I’m a believer in Curl Peace. I’m thrilled to learn that they’ve teamed up with parenting expert and natural hair specialist, Adrienne Leak. So I finally had a chance to ask a professional “how do I get my kid to stop screaming when I wash her hair?”
Here’s what she had to say:
Sometimes kids just don’t want to get their hair done. Maybe it’s the pain that can come with detangling. Perhaps they’d rather be doing something else. Either way, we have several tips that you can leverage to create Curl Peace in your home.
Distraction is key.
If your little one cries at the sight of a comb, give them something else to focus on. Tablets or smartphones tuned to Kids’ YouTube are perfect for killing time and easing their hair care anxiety. You can also try setting a fun vibe by turning on some KIDZBOP and chatting about the million and one questions usually reserved for when you’re on the phone.
Come prepared with the right tools and techniques.
Naturally curly hair is quick to tangle and prone to dryness and breakage. You should never detangle dry hair. Always apply a detangler, like Just for Me Curl Peace 5-in-1 Wonder Spray to the hair prior to styling dry hair. If you’re starting with a wash, Just for Me Curl Peace Tender Head Pre-Shampoo Detangler is an ideal way to start, as it eliminates tangles at the onset. Remember to use a wide toothed comb and start detangling from the bottom, working your way up. If you grip the hair right above the area you’re currently detangling it will help to absorb any pulling and tugging, preventing them from experiencing any pain.
Quick input from Allaya: I almost NEVER take out my daughter’s entire head of hair at once. I detangle, wash, and condition one side, put it back in the scrunchie, and move to the other.
Establish a regular grooming routine.
Grooming is not optional. The sooner kids learn this, the easier it will be on the entire family. Be assertive about their hair care by establishing a regular day and time to care for their hair. When we know something is coming, we are better able to deal with and accept it than if it blindsides us. Our kids are no different.
Remember, the more confident you are about something the more secure your kids will feel. Being kind does not mean being passive. Sometimes our kids don’t want to do what is best for their health and happiness. If we as parents create and commit to a plan, our kids will thank us for it.
