About two months ago while the kids and I were working at the food pantry, where we volunteer, one of the other pantry workers looked at my daughter and asked me, “Is she getting split ends?” I looked at her like she had fifteen heads and asked, “How should I know, I’ve been bald all of my life.” Of course, the other gal chuckled, as did everyone else.
A few days later, I asked my Aunt to take a look at Sister’s hair and tell me if she was getting split ends. She did look, and told me that Sister could stand to have a haircut. She went on to tell me that Sister’s hair would look healthier, fuller, grow faster, etc, etc. Blah. Blah. Blah.
<—This little girl has beautiful long hair… and a mommy that is a life long baldie! Which obviously means she CANNOT have a haircut until she is at least five. Right? Oh, come on now, don’t tell me you’ve never lived vicariously through one of your children! My daughter gets to wear all the pretty hair bows, barrettes, ribbons, head bands, and hairstyles that I never could. Whether she likes it or not.
Just kidding.
Well, mostly.
Anyway, as time went on, I started noticing that Sister’s hair was looking fuzzy, or whatever. It just wasn’t looking so pretty.
So, I finally choked it up and took her to a salon to get her hair trimmed on September 17, 2011. Trimmed. Not cut! I told the stylist about the split ends conversation, and she was kind enough to show me what a split end looks like. Yes, I had to be shown. Anyway, I went on to tell the stylist, “I don’t want her hair cut. Just trim it. A quarter inch, half at the most.” She smiled, and said, “Are you sure, Mom?” I insisted that a half inch was all that I was comfortable with.
You can see, Sister was about as thrilled as I was.
The stylist did exactly as I asked her to, and trimmed about a quarter inch from Sister’s hair. Once the deed was done, we left, and I thought we were good for another two years. Right? Wrong.
Last week, I started noticing Sister’s hair getting fuzzy again. Well, I guess it was just getting fuzzier. In truth, when I had it trimmed, I didn’t allow the stylist to cut enough 
off. So, that visit was really just a photo-op. Some people would say that I should have known better. But I ask you, how? How was I supposed to know? I don’t have hair, so I don’t know stuff from shinola about hair, other than how to braid it. I once had to ask someone, shamefaced no doubt, how to be able to tell if I had gotten all of the conditioner out of Sister’s hair. So, no, I didn’t know any better.
But, I didn’t want to take her back to the salon. I would say it was because I didn’t want to spend the money, but the truth is, I just didn’t want to admit that I was wrong. So, after thinking about it for a few days, I decided I would try to cut it myself. I only cut about an inch and a half off, but the difference is absolutely amazing. Her hair looks healthier, and it no longer looks fuzzy, or frizzy. Since it has natural curl to it, the under layer sort of springs up, and makes the top layer look fuller.
Just like my Aunt (and everyone else, for that matter) said it would.
For whatever reason, I waited until after my in-laws left yesterday to cut her hair. I should have done it while they were here, then they would have been able to see it first hand. One of the joys of having children is seeing the sense of wonder on your own parents face when the kids do something new, cute, or funny. It always amazes me that they can be so enthralled by something that they have obviously seen before (um, like when you were a kid). Nevertheless, it does enthrall them, and that is cool. Since Hubs parents live four hours away, it can be challenging, making sure they get their fill of new, cute, and funny. I do send pictures, but sometimes their email kicks the email if I try to send big files. So, I have to open the files in my photo editing software, reduce the size, save them with an 
alternate file name (so I don’t lose the original), and then send them. Or I upload them here, or to one of my social media sites, where my Mother-in-Law can see them and share them with my Father-in-Law and Sister-in-Law. This has worked out beautifully for photos, but I haven’t quite figured out how to share the videos yet.
I did blog one of the videos, because I know that my Mother-in-Law checks my site for new posts daily. I knew that by blogging it, she would be able to view it and get her chuckles on. I’ve also been known to burn a ton of photos onto a DVD and just give it to her when I see it, but sometimes feel like that is cheating, because she doesn’t get the benefit of seeing them as they happen. KWIM?
What I need is a simple way to share files that doesn’t require a lot of tech savvy. After all, it is their son that is the tech geek (remember, I married him for his geekery), not them.
Until then, I will continue to use this site to enthrall them.
<—”Hey Granny,” says Sister, “Mommy cutted my hair with the skizzers. Aren’t I so pretty?”
I’ve also recently been told that to help minimize hair damage, I should start at the bottom when brushing Sister’s hair. I, of course, don’t understand why this advice wasn’t given to me about two and a half years ago, but anyway. When I mentioned it in conversation to someone else, they said that it isn’t necessary. So, I don’t know which it is. Do I start at the bottom, or not? Somebody help a bald mommy out here. Her little girl, who has beautiful hair and wants to keep it that way, would really appreciate it.
She looks adorable! As for starting at the bottom….It helps to reduce tangles and knots. Therefore reducing damage and split ends!
Thanks, Beth. I will definitely be doing that from now on!
I start at the bottom when brushing my own hair because it hurts less when getting the tangles out. Do your precious little girl a favor and brush her hair starting at the bottom. That is how I taught my granddaughter to brush hers so she wouldn’t get a rats nest in it.
Consider the favor done, Karen. I just wish someone would have told me sooner. No wonder the child hated to have her hair brushed!
Yep, always start at the bottom. Like Beth said, it will help get the tangles and knots out before you brush all the way through. It will help reduce damage and keep her hair looking nice longer.
But it is funny the things that those of us with hair just assume is basic knowledge. 🙂
Thanks, Rachel. Yah, when I asked what a split end looked like, I got the “are you kidding me?” look. I guess it is basic knowledge… for someone that has hair. LOL. I can tell you all the tricks to keeping a bald scalp looking great, though!
I didn’t know you were supposed to start at the bottom, I will have to try that.
Really, Anne? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better? Because it really did!
No, really, my daughters are 15 and 18, and complain they get too many split ends, but I never heard to start brushing at the bottom. I will pass it on to them though, I guess I am clueless.
No, not clueless, dear. Just uninformed, like I was. I hope it helps them out!
Awww she look darling,such a cutie!
Aww she looks so pretty! I hate getting my kids hair cut too but do it as they want since I wasn’t allowed to until I was 13!
I didn’t know about starting at the bottom either. I only have boys.
Her hair looks cute, you did a good job.
Aw how cute is she? You did such a great job! Also you’re braver than I am … I still can’t cut Oj’s hair and you’d think with a boy it’d be simple but it’s scary lol.
LOL. I buzz cut my son’s hair, and if it gets over a half inch he starts complaining that it is getting so long!
You did a great job cutting it!
She’s a little cutie 🙂
I am a blond and always have been, and will tell ya although it looks like we have finer hair supposedly per square inch there is more there. After her hair is washed, use a detangler- that will help alot and there won’t be alot of whining and crying because it won’t pull as much. (they have baby detangler out there) And when her hair is wet, try using a large toothed comb rather than a brush to comb it through . If she gets ‘bed head’ as kids tend to do, yep start at the bottom and gently work the comb or brush through using a bit of detangler if you have to.Whatever you do, don’t yank or pull especially the ends because thats how you get split ends quicker.
She is lucky to have a Mom like you!
I think no matter what you do, eventually they just need those ends trimmed up. Hair is just naughty like that, but wow, she looks terrific. Great job!
Adorable hair cut, too sweet.
I always brushed my daughters hair from the bottom up because it was always so tangled. If tangles aren’t an issue I don’t really think it matters.
Thanks, Deb. Tangles were an issue, so I guess we start from the bottom.
What a doll! We just went through the same thing a few weeks ago. My daughter like yours now looks much better!
I always hated getting my daughter’s hair cut when she was younger. It took so long for it to grow in. My mom would get her for the weekend, and she would have her hair cut.
First off, she’s beautiful, before and after the hair cut. As someone with long hair, it is best to brush from bottom first and to get the ends trimmed (1/2 – 1 inch) every 3 or 4 months. Getting regular trims will actually make it grow longer/faster… or at least it does for me.
She looks so cute!
She is soooo cute!
She is so pretty! I never thought of how tough on you it would be to raise a daughter with long hair. I think you are doing a wonderful job.
Ah the trials, right. What will I ever do when she wants to learn how to put on mascara? I don’t have eyelashes, either. LOL.
Oh my gosh – those little curls – I am dying at the cuteness! She’s precious.
I have a little girl (2 1/2) with curly hair and it’s starting to get frizzy…but I’m refusing to cut it until she’s 3. I understand that. And even though I’ve had hair all my life, my mother never really taught me what to do with it, and so as a mom, I’m unsure as to what to do with a little girls hair. You’re not alone there, Mama!
You did such a great job cutting her hair – it’s just sooo cute. I can’t get over it!
Thanks so much, Rachel. I really tried to hold out until she was three (which she will be on Valentine’s Day), but it was just looking SO bad!
She looks super cute with her new haircut! My 7 year old daughter has never had her hair cut so it is LONG.
she’s adorable and starting from the bottom is better for her hair, less pulling, breaking and pain.
What a cutie pie! Just brush her hair from top to bottom to distribute the natural oils in her scalp. UNLESS she has tangles, then brush very gently from the bottom until it’s gone, then brush from the top like usual.
What a little cutie! Love her new haircut, you did a great job. I always start at the bottom and work my way up too.