6 Reasons Sitting Between A Relative’s Legs Getting Your Hair Done Is One Hair Tradition W

For years my mother did my hair, she would sit me in front of her and have all my toys laid out in front of me as a distraction.

If I did not have toys she would give me all of my little bubble clips to play with. I never understood it then like I do now, all I remember are all the colors of the little marble looking things and that if I pulled them apart too much they would pop back and hit me on my hands or legs somewhere. Those things while a lot of fun, were very painful.

I had every color under the sun, my mom probably knew I liked playing with them because that was the only time I was allowed to just make a mess of them all over the bed.

As I got older, sitting between my mothers legs became less about the bubbles as we called them and more about her and about me. Mommy and me time was often spent with her asking me questions and me wanting the conversation to end when it got to the questions I did not feel like answering.

Over all I loved it though because we would talk, I had her attention and it was great. I saw the above picture online this week and even though Zoe Kravitze and Willow Smith are celebrities they shared a unique black girl moment. I call it a black girl moment because that is what I have traditionally experienced as a black girl.

When I would visit my cousins, just like my mom did, one of us would always be between somebody’s legs getting our hair done.

It could be braids, a roller set, press and curl… anything. It doesn’t have to be your mom or cousin either, it could be an aunt, sister or a College roommate, the point is, the practice is common and is so normal in our culture that we often do not stop to think about how special it is.

If we all were to think about every time we sat between the legs of someone we loved and allowed them to do something to our hair, what did it mean for you? Here are 6 reasons we think that this tradition is the coolest ever!

1. It is a moment to reconnect

I told you my story about my mother and I, well it was the same with a cousin, aunt or friend. At that moment you and her or him can have a conversation that is sometimes so special you never want it to end.

This is true of fathers and son’s as well. Fathers who typically cut their son’s hair use that moment in time as an opportunity to connect with their child and find out what they are up to.

Those moments are necessary, they keep relationships in tact and encourage the sort of intimacy that only happens when you take the time to just stop and talk.

2. You get great advice

I do not know what it is about getting your hair done in that manner that allows your parent or older cousin to have so much wisdom.

Some of the gems that were dropped on me in my life happened right there seated on the floor. Advice about boys, advice about teachers, confidence, being a woman, have all happened while I was getting my hair done.

3. Your hair gets special care

You already know before you even sit down that the person who will be caring for your hair will take great care of it. There is no doubt in your mind that she or he knows what they are doing and your hair is in great hands, this doesn’t happen all the time, but most times you are aware of how your hair will be cared for.

4. You laugh a lot

When you sit between the legs of a relative it is story time, time to laugh, listen to jokes, gossip and have a really great time in the simplest of ways.

Depending on who is doing your hair at the time you already know what you are in for, and if you aren’t crying laughing by the end of it all it would be pretty surprising.

5. It is traditional

Tradition is huge in the African-American community and as simple as this practice is, you will see a picture of something similar throughout history.

We get it, Afro textured hair is sometimes a lot easier done by someone else especially with the types of styles that we choose to do with our hair.

Corn rows and pretty braided styles can be pretty time consuming when done ourselves, but if you have someone to help you, you can finish the style in half the time.

6. Simple is good

Sometimes we check out on life and on face to face interactions with people due to the popularity of smart cell phones and social media.

These days it might be tempting to pull out your phone as you get your hair done instead of connecting with the person doing your hair.

But we encourage you to not let those simple moments pass you by. Use the time to connect with your family as you have always done before the internet, before Instagram, you will not regret it.

What hair other hair traditions do you love and hope never goes away? Comment below!