When Childhood Hair Struggles Shape Your Purpose
When I sat down to film a video for the Kids Curls course inside my Home Hair Care Academy, I thought it would be like any other recording day. I planned to share tips and techniques for caring for children’s curls, something I’ve spent years perfecting. But as we pressed record, I quickly realized this wouldn’t be just another lesson.
Sharing the truth about my own childhood hair struggles triggered an emotional response I wasn’t prepared for. My heart started racing, my palms felt clammy, and suddenly, I was no longer the grown woman teaching parents how to empower their children. I was little Carmen again, crying in the bathroom, tender-headed and terrified of the pain I knew was coming.
It took me five tries to get through that video. Five tries of starting, stopping, breathing, and reminding myself: I am safe. I am loved. I am understood. I am respected. This moment was a powerful reminder of why I do what I do and why I created this platform in the first place.
The Weight of Childhood Hair Struggles
Growing up, hair care wasn’t just a routine; it was a battlefield. Like many children with curly hair, I didn’t have a voice in how my hair was treated or styled. My cries for gentleness were often dismissed, and my feelings didn’t seem to matter. For years, I carried that pain with me, not just physical pain from the harsh methods used, but emotional pain from feeling unheard.
This experience shaped how I viewed my hair, my beauty, and, ultimately, myself. It wasn’t until I began my journey as a tight curl specialist that I realized how deeply those moments had impacted me. The journey to healing wasn’t easy, but it was necessary, and it has shaped the work I do today in empowering families to embrace curly hair care with love and intention.
Why Sharing the Truth Matters
Recording that video was hard because it forced me to confront the parts of my story I’d rather forget. But I knew that if I wanted to teach parents how to care for their children’s curls with love, patience, and kindness, I had to show up authentically.
The truth is, many of us carry unresolved feelings about our own curly hair care experiences. And as parents, those feelings often shape how we approach our child’s hair care routine. By revisiting my story, I was able to turn pain into purpose.
I share my experiences because I want to help parents see curly hair as a gift, not a burden. It’s not just about styling hair, it’s about creating a foundation of curly hair confidence and self-love for the next generation.
Empowering the Next Generation Through Curly Hair Care
Through the Kids Curls course, I teach parents not only how to manage their child’s hair but also how to nurture confidence, patience, and love in the process. Because curly hair care isn’t just about detangling, it’s about connection. It’s about taking a task that could feel like a chore and transforming it into an act of care, love, and empowerment.
I share this story because I believe in the power of showing up as our full, imperfect selves. If my vulnerability helps just one parent see the value in approaching their child’s curls with more kindness and intentionality, then it’s worth it.
Closing Thought
Every brushstroke and every detangling session is an opportunity to rewrite the narrative, for you, your child, and the generations to come. Let’s create a world where our children grow up knowing their curls are not a burden but a gift.
Ready to transform your child’s curl care routine? Explore the Kids Curls course inside the Home Hair Care Academy.