Straight vs. Curly

Here's the thing.. I have an Afro.  Ok, not quite an Afro...but close...especially for a plain ole white chick.

Ok..I actually like her look

Me..circa 1974

Most days and for years, I've straightened my hair.  Some days I lazily round brush it while other days I get serious and heat up my super-duper straightening iron.  Historically I have only worn my hair in it's naturally curly state on Sundays.

There have been times when I'm either too lazy or in too much of a hurry in the mornings; wearing my curly mess to the office.  Usually (always) when this happens I'm met with a myriad of comments.  They range from the shocked stare, or "heyy that's niiiiiccceeee" (meaning wtf?), to "Oh you look so nice with your new perm!"... and well there are those that also prefer my hair au naturel (like my mother).

Let me ask this... who in their right mind, in this day and age, goes to their hair dresser asking for a tight curly perm straight out of a 'circa 80's Teen Beat' magazine?

Anyhoo...I'm not sure what first made me start straightening my hair (in the 80's I'd crimp it).  I suppose the saying "you always want what you can't have" could be true.  I just think straight hair looks better and in my own opinion much more professional.  I don't feel like people can take me seriously if I'm sitting in front of them with my crazy hair.

My two children Ben and Kay are also cursed  blessed with a curly mop.  Perhaps that is why Ben wanted to join the army at age three?  I remember when he was in grade four or so it was 'crazy hair day' at school.  I painstakingly styled his hair into spikes and spray painted them red.  At the end of the day I picked up my mortified child... upset because throughout the day the spikes inevitably turned into curls, and instead of a cool punk rocker, people called him a clown.  Lucky for him, he's a boy....which means he can shave his head.  It also helps that he's in cadets which means the #6 on the Barbers razor is the longest he's allowed to go.

Love this pic...but there is my son with his curls..

My daughter on the other hand is another story.  At only three and some she desperately wants to grow her hair long; like Rapunzel and like Charlotte from daycare.  Her hair however grows 'out' instead of 'down'.  I point out to her in the tub just how long her hair really is, and she's pleased.  I love my daughters sloppy, curly, mess.  It suits her, it suits her personality (I'm starting to sound like my mother).  She has recently started asking me to make her hair look like 'Mommy' hair ... and although I'm happy to play hair dresser with her, I want her to love her hair... so... I've made a choice... I'm wearing my hair curly more often.

Love this pic too...but here is Kay with her curls..

I'm struggling with this, but she's paying attention.  When I wear it curly she says that I have 'Kaydie' hair today..to which I agree, because "Kaydie has beautiful hair".  I'm willing to work with my unruly mess (however I have not agreed to stop straightening it always) if it makes my daughter love an appreciate herself... here's hoping it works!