Hair care when you're a busy lady

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Ladies, how do you do it? I mean for all you moms, working moms, students, single moms, any and all of the above, and etc how do you find time to t/c of your hair and get everything done?

I need some tips! I'm afraid I'm gonna slack off after my baby is born. Right now, I already have a 2 yr old an 8 yr old, plus with work and DH... I don't know how I'm gonna manage esp when I return to school in the fall (I hope ). Right now I cowash 1-2 times a week and wash once a week. I DC twice a wk (one after wash day) but I think I may end up dcing once a week and cowashing once a week- if I"m lucky! I don't want to fall back into my old habits!

What are some tricks and tips you use that help you maintain your reggie while still living your life?

 

[Gracie]

It is all about time management and multi tasking. Washing or CW while taking a shower. DC'g w/a plastic cap while sleeping or doing homework.

 

[soulie]

It is all about time management and multi tasking. Washing or CW while taking a shower. DC'g w/a plastic cap while sleeping or doing homework.

ITA; one of my new favorites is wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up while I have my plastic cap on.... more heat, and it seems to stay "in" better! I can move around, cook, clean, whatever I have to do while still doing my DC.

 

[MCMLXXII]

I looked at your Fotki. While I'm not a busy mom like you, I don't DC my hair during the week...takes too much time.

Since you're about to have a baby and time is a premium, I would probably get my hair braided (not micro's) or kinky-twists. And keep them moisturized with a water\glycerin\rosewater mix...or some type of leave-in condish.

You have alot going on...

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

That's what I do now. But I know from last time when my son was born, showers were not the luxury I'm experiencing right now. I was lucky to even get 5 hours of sleep at night when I really craved 8 or more! LOL. I wore a wig constantly but didn't t/c of my hair underneath at all.

It is all about time management and multi tasking. Washing or CW while taking a shower. DC'g w/a plastic cap while sleeping or doing homework.

 

[mahogany_horizons]

I agree....mutlitask..

protective styles...

peices (i don't wear these)

and buns (I wear these on the regular)


will get you through when you don't have time to focus on your hair!

 

[Jazala]

That's what I do now. But I know from last time when my son was born, showers were not the luxury I'm experiencing right now. I was lucky to even get 5 hours of sleep at night when I really craved 8 or more! LOL. I wore a wig constantly but didn't t/c of my hair underneath at all.

How about wearing the wig again but this time take a couple of hours each week to wash, dc and cornrow (or Ms.Celie braids). Use a moisturizing spray each day in between washes.

 

[newflowers]

I remember the days when a few hours of sleep, a swipe of the toothbrush, and a run through the water were the sum of personal care. Okay, so you can ignore me if you'd like, but as a mother for 30 years and a grandmother for nine, you can also trust that I am right because it took me a very long time to learn this:

No one if your home is going to expire if you take 30 - 60 minutes for a shower/bath and personal time/care. NO ONE. And DH needs a new duty - his duty needs to be to guard the door so you can have that hour. Your hour needs to stay on the top of your list; guarding the door needs to stay at the top of DH's list. One of the great things about having a Dh is that you are not a single mother - which means you don't have to do everything as if you were.

If you take your one hour, you will be happier; if you are happier, then the children will be happier. If you are happier, the hubby will be happier. It's all about the momma being happy.

 

[PrettyBrwnGrl]

Well, I'm definitely not as busy as you are, but these ladies gave some very good advice. Maybe try putting conditioner on your dry hair and when you're ready to get in the shower wash it out then...i always wash my hair in the shower it seems much easier than stooping over the kitchen sink. Or if you're really pressed for time you can simply cowash and dc once a week. And like another poster said...you deserve a half hour-one hour for yourself!

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Thanks ladies for all your tips! Newflowers, I KNOW you are right.... lol the world isn't going to end if I spend an hour on myself! I need work on carving out that "ME" time again... without feeling guilty. I think I'm going to have my mom continue to braid up my hair for me. That's been helping more than she knows.

 

[shenitab]

Tip for taking shower with newborn: put that baby in the small carseat and bring him/her in the bathroom with you. Just be quick. If you have toddlers. Bring them in the bathroom with you and let them take a bath with you a the end.
Wear wigs, just take care of your hair underneath. Moisturize, moisturize.
Wear braids, just not too tight and moisturize, moisturize.
Try to make out a hair care schedule. Are weekends better for you, or one day during the week.
I actually have the same issue. So much to do and so little time.
Ask for help. I find that I have to direct my other half on exactly want I want/need him to do. It's like if I'm not direct, he doesn't really do much around the house. But that is for another discussion.
Try to do more the day/night before to prepare for the next day. Meal planning, getting clothes ready, figuring out what has to be done, needs to be done, etc.
Don't forget to take care of yourself. This has been kind of hard for me. I'm 100% into my family so I have always put their needs ahead. But guess what, that's not going to work. No matter how busy you are you have to have some time for yourself to rejuvenate, de-stress, do something you like to do, have some fun. If you don't you will be unhappy, sick, tired, resentful of the people you love, and one step from a nervous breakdown. Whether you want to have 30 minutes to an hour a day to read a book or magazine, go see a girlfriend, exercise, do your nails, take a long bubble bath. Girl you deserve it. The kids will not die, the house will not blow up. It can be hard to not feel guilty about it. But hey, you have got to get over it. If you don't take good care of yourself you won't be around to take care of everybody else.
I am really feeling this topic.

 

[newflowers]

Thanks ladies for all your tips! Newflowers, I KNOW you are right.... lol the world isn't going to end if I spend an hour on myself! I need work on carving out that "ME" time again... without feeling guilty. I think I'm going to have my mom continue to braid up my hair for me. That's been helping more than she knows.

When my grandson number two was a week old, refusing to nursing, screaming his head off, and my daughter was sitting in her new nursing chair crying along with the baby, I told her the reason babies are cute is so that you keep them; otherwise...

Tell DH he needs to keep the fort during your bathtime - he'll get used to it.

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Tip for taking shower with newborn: put that baby in the small carseat and bring him/her in the bathroom with you.

That is what I did with my son. It worked out well. I guess I'll be doing it again! I almsot forgot about it.

Wear wigs, just take care of your hair underneath. Moisturize, moisturize.
Wear braids, just not too tight and moisturize, moisturize.
Try to make out a hair care schedule. Are weekends better for you, or one day during the week.
I actually have the same issue. So much to do and so little time.
Ask for help. I find that I have to direct my other half on exactly want I want/need him to do. It's like if I'm not direct, he doesn't really do much around the house. But that is for another discussion.

Lol... That is me too! It kinda annoys me that it has to be that way, but like you said, it's another discussion.

Try to do more the day/night before to prepare for the next day. Meal planning, getting clothes ready, figuring out what has to be done, needs to be done, etc.

I do this as well. It just burns me out. I know I am doing too much though.


No matter how busy you are you have to have some time for yourself to rejuvenate, de-stress, do something you like to do, have some fun. If you don't you will be unhappy, sick, tired, resentful of the people you love, and one step from a nervous breakdown. Whether you want to have 30 minutes to an hour a day to read a book or magazine, go see a girlfriend, exercise, do your nails, take a long bubble bath. Girl you deserve it. The kids will not die, the house will not blow up. It can be hard to not feel guilty about it. But hey, you have got to get over it. If you don't take good care of yourself you won't be around to take care of everybody else.
I am really feeling this topic.

Thanks so much for all your advice! I do feel guilty for taking me time or asking for help. I have issues LOL.

 

[onelove08]

No you are normal for feeling guilty. Sometimes I do when I leave and run on the treadmill for 60 minutes but, my DH knows if he wants me happy he will do it. It is the only thing I ask for! And I do the same for him! We have two kids. 4 and 6 and a stepson. He is 12. He does not stay with us fulltime.

 

[normacyri]

Pinkchocolatdaisy,

I totally feel you. I have a DH, a 6yo son and 3 yo daughter, I work full time and am in grad school taking 2 heavy-duty classes.....I feel you, okaaaay!!

But I'm learning to combat the guilt with the understanding that I most nurture myself at least half as much as I do everyone else. It's hard getting it in every week but, I have put it on my agenda .

I try to make my Friday Nite Saturday Mornings my pampering time. I do protein tx's, DC'ing during this time and for fun sometimes I pamper my 3yo to kill two birds with one stone.

Great thread!