My hair is fine and stick straight. Any "bend" or body I might have in my hair is the direct result of sleeping on it wrong.
It's taken me 30 years to come to terms with my hair. I've finally managed to find a cut that works pretty well, and I've accepted that I'm never going to have a mane like Julianne Moore's (as depressing as that fact may be).
But, this post isn't about my hair woes. It's about my children's.
You see, my husband's hair is the exact same texture as mine. That means, genetically speaking, our kids never stood a chance. Great hair just wasn't going to be in their future.
For Josh, this isn't really a big deal. A little gel, a small tousle, and he's good to go.
But, my poor daughters.
They're stuck with straight, fine hair and a mother who doesn't know what to do with it. To top it off, Jilly's hair has so many cowlicks, it's impossible to find a straight part.
Thus, my hairstyle repertoire consists of the following:
* Ponytail
* Pigtails
* Headband
* Braids
That's not too shabby, but here's the problem -- we live in the South. And Southern mothers take little girl hair very seriously. Glance around any holiday gathering or school function and you'll spot a sea of adorable curls, loops and bows.
How do I cope with the hair pressure?
Well, I pretty much resigned myself to defeat.
My hairstyle apathy reached its lowest point last year, when Hubs and Jilly were attending the annual Sweetheart Ball.
None of the styles in my repertoire exactly scream "special occasion." I didn't know what to do. So, I did nothing. Nada. I ran a comb through her hair and sent her out the door with nary a bow, headband or curl.
I'm still not sure what I was thinking.
So, this year I committed to do better. I did a little online research on hairstyles for little girls. Do you know there are blogs dedicated solely to showcasing new hairstyles for your little princess?
Styles like this, this, and -- oh my stars -- this.
I must have spent 2 hours reading those blogs in awestruck amazement. Who knew there were so many style options? Who knew there were so many little girls who would sit still that long?
So, I set my sights high. I began a full hour and half before Saturday's party. We washed, combed, added product, heated up the curling iron, and by 45 minutes into it, I was in a full-fledged panic. My "woven heart design" didn't turn out (despite a practice run the day before). My Plan B -- a head full of curls -- wasn't even an option. Jilly's hair stubbornly refused all but the slightest bend.
So, I had to do some quick thinking. Thankfully, I had made 2 sets of flower clippies (to "dress up" my tried and true pigtails) the day before. Here's what we did:
It's a little "flower girl-ish," but it's light years better than last year.
And, for the record, I'm not giving up. I even took my standard braids to new levels for church yesterday:
With a good deal of practice, I just might be able to come to terms with that girl's mane.
And, with a little luck, it won't take anywhere close to 30 years.
8 comments:
wow-I guess I have it easy with just a boy :)I forgot that about the south-my mother-in-law tells me stories all the time about decked out parties, outfits and hair(she lives in the south). YOU DID A GREAT JOB-so very cute!!!!!
My daughter and I have the same sort of hair. I guess we never appreciate what we have. My friend has lovely wavy hair, but she would give her right arm to have straight hair. You should see the time, effort and money she spends straightening it. And I do just the opposite. I'm not of much help to you, but I think you and your daughters have gorgeous hair. Be proud of it!
ok ok... so we went to disneyland last year and ash got her hair done up for the first time and i have to think and email you on how they got her fine hair up without even breaking out the curling iron.
i'm glad i don't live in the south. i have 2 girls!
Yes, southerners take hair issues to a whole new level don't they?
I learned this many years ago when we moved from the desert to North Texas.
However, I think you are doing a FANTASTIC job of working with what you got. From the pictures I would have never guessed that you have had a Challenge! The girls' hair do's are beautiful!
I never would have guessed that you're style-challenged either. Those do's look fantastic. Forget the pageant moms - braids and ponies are all a girl needs!
Um . . . you mean I should be doing more than ponies, pigtails, braids or headbands??? Yikes!! Tonight was the Daddy Daughter Date Night, and Miss M went out with a ponytail, with her new Valentine's bow attached to it! Works for me!
Well, you are light-years ahead of me...I can't even do a french braid. Did you say you made those flower clippies? So cute! I'm going to check out those hair style sites now...
I just stumbled across your blog, and I'm sitting here in cold Illinois laughing...I cannot believe those darling daughter's hair blogs. I NEVER could have imagined they existed!
Your kids are adorable, and their hair is sweet. Don't be so hard on yourself.
I have wavy to curly hair, and at 48 I still don't know what to do with it. I was glad to have a boy 22 years ago, so I wouldn't have to do his hair. There are so many weird pressures to parenthood.
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