Balancing natural hair care and motherhood can be quite the challenge. Since becoming a natural, I’ve managed to work out the perfect routine. As a mom of one, Sunday has always been my designated hair day.
The usual process involves four steps including:
- Shampooing
- Conditioning and finger detangling in sections
- Applying a leave-in condition and moisturizer
- Finger detangling and style
This daylong process worked well until the recent birth of my son. With a tot and a newborn, there’s very little time to dedicate to my hair. Oh, did I mention that I’m still in school? I find myself juggling nursing in between exams, cooking, cleaning, among my many other responsibilities.
I thought that being on maternity leave would free up my time. Nowadays, I barely have a moment to go to the bathroom. I’ve been so excited to try new products and also make some myself. But I don’t have time to even style my locks, much less experiment with anything! So, I’ve put together a whole new routine that works for my hectic schedule. Rather than designate an entire day to hair care, I’ve decided to stretch out my regimen over the course of a few days.
I normally cleanse my hair over the kitchen sink. But, now I’ve resorted to making it apart of my 15-minute shower. By the time I get out of the tub there’s usually a child demanding my attention, so forget about conditioning! I get so swamped that I have to put that off for the following day. In the meantime, I’d apply a natural oil to keep my hair moisturized.
I re-wet my hair either in the shower or over the sink the next day. Then I apply my deep conditioning mask as I finger detangle, which takes a half hour on average. I leave each section in medium size braids. If I have a quick errand to run, I’d slap on my wig cap, throw on my curly wig, and bounce with my kid(s) in tow.
I’m able to complete the last two steps on day three. Applying the leave in conditioner and moisturizer is always a snap. I do this by mixing a concoction with water in a spray bottle. I’m able to style during naptime, which is probably the longest part of the process. It can take a couple of hours depending on other family and household duties.
I prefer to rock a braid-out over a twist-out because it gives my coarse texture more definition. I use a rat-tail comb to part my hair in small sections, spray on my conditioning mix, and braid. I let my hair air dry, and then I’m done! I don’t mind sporting my braided do in public. But sometimes I’ll wear my wig, if I have an important engagement. I may also unravel my locks and throw on a headband for a cool wavy natural look. It all depends on the mood I’m in.
This may seem like a really long process. But, it’s the only way I’m able to balance hair care and motherhood right now. I find it much easier to manage my hair care regimen over the course of a few days. It takes the hassle out of my routine, and most importantly, I avoid putting stress on my hair. I’d much rather take my time than try and cram everything in all at once.
How do you balance hair care and motherhood?
I can definitely relate, & Sundays were my hair days too, lol! Ah well.
I appreciate you sharing! I’m about ready to let my fro out after transitioning this entire year with a weave. One thing that I’m nervous about is the routine. I notice a lot of naturals with elaborate regimens tend to be single without kids. I read their day long processes and am like, “NAAAAAWL!” Thankfully with Nia in school I look forward to experimenting without distractions to figure out my natural texture. It makes me kinda envious of my daughter since I’ll never put a relaxer in her hair and we’ll have many trials under her belt so she can feel confident knowing in advance what works with her hair vs. the trial and error I know I’m going to endure.
I am so happy I stumbled upon your blog.. i LOVE it. It’s officially been 2 years since i have been transitioned and can now say fully natural. I have long, thick hair so doing my hair takes a really long time. I end up staying up really late to do my hair. some days, if i am feeling ambitious i will wake up early (5am) and do a wash and go before work,, but this is rare. it’s defnitely my evening activity once my daughter who’s two years old is sleeping. i tell my friends that natural hair is so much work. i don’t recall it being so much when i was younger 🙂
Thanks Cassandre. I think it wasn’t a lot of work when we were younger because we were doing things wrong. lol. I’m speaking for myself, but I think a lot of naturals would agree. So glad I transitioned. Congrats to you! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Yep. They’re single or without kids mostly. I’ve stumbled across a few with older or small children, but that’s rare. I have fun with Princess’s hair too! As for my hair, I like to keep it simple. I’ve been doing a lot of protective styles and rocking the wig, like when I went to blogalicious. It was so easy!
Thank u so much for sharing! My also have two children under 4 and only dream of free time to care for my natural hair. A wig is really convenient bc it certainly frees up time for tykes. I love my hair and have been transitioning for about a year, using a wig as protective style. I found a sweet lady on YouTube who goes by naptural85 and she’s also got a lot of hair and also great care tips. Love ure blog!!!
Thank u so much for sharing! I’m so grateful to found ure blog. My also have two children under 4 and only dream of free time to care for my natural hair. A wig is really convenient bc it certainly frees up time for tykes. I love my hair and have been transitioning for about a year, using a wig as protective style. I found a sweet lady on YouTube who goes by naptural85 and she’s also got a lot of hair and also great care tips. Love ure blog!!!