Sit down with family members to explain
Talk to them about how you feel about your hair and why you made the decision for you.
You may think “it’s none of their business,” but remember that they are still your family. If they are willing to listen, be willing to explain and educate them on your decision.
Talk about your decision to stay chemical-free, how you are saving money by not going to the salon and how much healthier you are for it. Explain to your family that they should be proud that you feel free and beautiful with your natural hair
Educate your family about how hair products have come a long way
I’m sure that years ago it was tough to care for natural hair because the resources were just not there, nor were any hair care companies interested because women were getting relaxers and purchasing weaves.
Now that natural hair as become more relevant, today hair care industries are catering more to natural hair than before.
Show your family the products that you are using to help care for your natural hair. If it would help, show them pictures in your hair diary of how your hair has become healthier since going natural. Visuals and images can be pretty convincing, so use those to your advantage.
Reassure your family members that you are the same person
It really shouldn’t be that serious, but let your family know that you are only changing your hair and not your personality or address.
Even though your hair is part of you, you still strive for the same things in life as before. They may feel that you are going to act different but going natural is just a lifestyle change for you. Everything else will be the same.
If family continues with the rude and unnecessary comments:
Ignore them
It does hurt when you get negative comments about the decisions you are making, but sometimes those same people may simply want to get a reaction out of you. Just learn to brush it off and ignore them, they will stop.
The most important thing is remaining confident with your decision to be natural. This decision is about you and your hair and at the end of the day you cannot force someone to like your hair but they will have to respect your decision.
My hair journey was a struggle with my co workers.They all felt the need to put their two cents in even though I never asked them for it.
Oh sorry sis. That’s very serious
Freak your family honey. Do you. I do what I want when it concerns me. You have to make choices for you and ones that you can live with. Your family will be alright. They’ll get over it. And if they don’t, move on. Love them from a distance honey. You can’t please your family. Don’t even try. Takes too much work. As long as you’re doing good for you, that’s what counts. It’s not like you’re robbing a bank. Then they’d really have something to complain about.
My husband and son told me that I should go Natural and I did, I year Natural and they hate it!!! Wouldn’t go anywhere with me especially my Son…. I don’t understand
That’s so sad. I’m sorry to hear that. It takes great courage to go against the norm and learn to love and appreciate yourself and your natural being. Sometimes it takes others a bit longer to understand and embrace the changes that go along with it. Don’t give up; you may not realize it but you are showing your strength and representing a powerful role model for others. Stay strong!
I can definitely relate to this. I decided to go natural and stopped relaxing almost 4 years ago; since then, my mother has repeatedly commented negatively on my hair. She always remarks on how it is a “mess”, “looks like a bird’s nest” (which it doesn’t), and says that I need to let her get her hands in it to “fix” it (translation: relax it). Needless to say, it gets very tiring after a while. I, as well as my fiancé and children, am very happy with my decision to be natural. My 14 year old daughter embraces her natural hair and initiates conversations at school about it with her friends. It is a truly beautiful and empowering thing. I just wish many people in the older generations could and would be more accepting.
Had the struggle with my fam when I chopped all of it off 4 years ago. Then some of my family followed behind me but now I have the struggle with my dad because I chopped the sides and back off. I think my dad just likes for my hair to be done but idc because I love my hair.
I relate. My grandmas only like the Afro. I don’t even listen to them anymore lol. I can’t say “Forget you, grandma!” That would be wrong lol.
I have been natural for 9 years .
If someone doesn’t like my hair. Idc, look at someone else. So especially my family, I do me with or without them in mind.