A Simple Guide For A Single Dad Caring For His Daughter’s Natural Hair

It’s not easy being a single parent. You are working double duty most of the time and even if you share your child with the other parent, and are not living under the same roof it’s still hard. You are far from alone though, it seems the numbers are very telling in regards to the institution of marriage or maybe just our stress levels but whatever the cause there is a real problem.

According to the office of National Statistics (ONS) in January 2012, “The number of lone parents with children has risen “steadily but significantly” from 1.7m to 1.96m, rounded up to 2m” , in the UK – Telegraph.co.uk.

In the US last year, ” one-third of American children – a total of 15 million – are being raised without a father. Nearly five million more children live without a mother.” Lifesitenews.com

I”m not here to judge or to say we are being bad parents or even bad people. It’s a fact that our institution of marriage is crumbling and even though there are more family together than apart the realities of divorce or being a single parent are real and we need to adapt to our new way of functioning and that includes no longer thinking that only mothers are single parents.

Fathers can oftentimes get a bad rap, they are labeled as not being there even when they are there. This societal joke is not funny nor accurate because every human being has a mother and a father and as the numbers clearly are alarming for single parents, there are fathers who are present and accounted for.

They are loving and nurturing and more than just a 9 to 5 working man who comes home an watches TV and drink beer until bed. They are engaging and caring for their children. This care goes even further when the parents are not together and the father is the single parent, even if it’s just every other weekend. The care is there along with the love and that time spent with his kids is more than just daddy taking you to McDonald’s. It’s about the day to day interactions with his kids.

How can a father teach his daughter to care for her natural hair? It is simple really,care for it himself. I clearly remember my husband putting my daughter’s hair in one big ponytail that was ultra-huge and ultra-wild but so very, very cute! I was at work and he had to get her ready for her day.

He combed and brushed her hair and with her “daddy ponytail” she was prouder than a peacock. Her daddy did her hair. I confess, it was a hot mess…all crooked and jacked up but it was the love that he had for her and the pride she felt that he did her hair and made her presentable for her day.

Ask for help

It’s take a big aka mature aka grown man to admit that he needs guidance. This is not a task expected of you in past years so step up and ask for help with your daughter’s hair. Ask her mother, your mother, a friend, get the knowledge so that you can do what’s expected of you to care for her tresses and to ensure she cares for them too.

Learn the basics on nightly routines with her hair and what products to buy for cleansing, conditioning and protecting. We had to learn so you will need to as well.

Watch and learn

It’s not that hard to do the day in and day out especially when you want to learn. Even if you haven’t a clue how to work with your child’s hair you can do the deed and do it well! Watch her mother, your mother or any other family member do her hair and learn what to do.

Men are much more hands on with our kids than a few years ago with the simple things like hair, washing clothes, etc. It’s no longer expected for women to be domestic and as we grow as a society some of those stale norms are being challenged and withering away. It’s OK to do your daughter’s hair and it is actually encouraged so that you can properly care for you child in every way possible.

Take her to a natural hair shop

They are around and they are thriving. Whether it’s a curly or natural hair salon, run to Google and get your daughter an appointment to get her hair done. Learn from the stylist how to handle the upkeep or make it a point to keep regular appointments.

This doesn’t get you out of the everyday dealings but it may be what the two of you need to foster a healthy hair relationship and show her the importance of taking care of her tresses.

Encourage her

You are raising Daddy’s little girl and as she looks up to you with loving eyes remember you are the first man she falls in love with. Don’t drop the ball on that gift. Nurture her spirit and instill in her the worth she has for herself.

Show her how a man is supposed to treat her as a child and as a woman by not disrespecting her mother and try and keep the lines of communication open with her if possible. It’s not always easy, we know this but she’s the reason you are doing this and she needs to know you care, love and want the best for her.

Let her mother know you want her to keep her hair natural and that you are willing to work at it while she’s with you and willing to help in anyway possible. Make it about your daughter and not about the two of you. Raising kids is not an easy task and raising them alone is even harder so make it doable by taking the positive steps to ensure she grows up healthy, happy and loving her natural self.