Growing up, Heather had long blond hair that her mother braided. I have seen many pictures of her with two adorable braids and a cute little smile. Behind the scenes there was a lot of interesting brushing of hair to get those braids to look that way…. But beyond cuteness.
With Kyle and Owen, before they had locs we did braids. Or more accurately, Heather did and I supported. We both did twists and did a lot lot lot of twisting. Although Heather rightfully claims ownership over doing their locs, we both redo them with the latch hooks.
However, when it comes to little girl, golden wavy hair…. Not so much practice for me, as evidenced by the photo. But Meera wanted a braid. Just one, with no pony tail on top (thankfully, since that was not in the cards anyway). That braid lasted until our attempted nap time today.
I have found that over the past couple days that something interesting has happened to me and to our kids. I have let go of much of my work stress in a way I don’t often do and my kids are responding to me in a way that they don’t often to.
There is a lesson here clearly and one I feel I’ve learned before, although not well enough. It’s not just spending time with our kids. It not just having fun with them. It’s not just being the parent at the end of the day.
It’s also picking up the mess they leave behind every waking moment. It’s dealing with “I’m hungry” as they climb into bed. It’s determining when to give time out for talking back, for hitting, or being nasty (yes they do that).
It’s having them know that you’re there, them trusting that and calling you when they need you and when they don’t.
It’s giving a hug when Meera wakes up this morning and says “I miss mommy”.
It’s being proud of Owen for reading even when you’re pissed off that he is bouncing up and down while reading.
It’s letting Kyle talk and hearing him despite the fact that he’s talking about some concoction that you can’t even understand what he’s saying or what it means.
It’s about braiding your daughter’s hair, even when that just makes it look worse.
The last three lines of this are so, so funny… đŸ˜€ What a great dad.
Hi Braydon, IMHO the braid looks great, really cool actually!!! Enjoyed reading your insights on fatherhood!
– Kate
Great Post! My dad was a single dad for a long time with my younger sisters…he says braiding just takes practice.
Your braid is way better than any braid I ever saw in my daughter’s hair after my husband got finished. Your braids rock!
Julie, that made my day!
You go, Papi!! Love this post. T used to put pony tails and huge bow barettes in our girls’ hair when they were little. And he painted their fingernails once too. So special, what you’re doing.
Amy(TN)