Forum Activity for @erin2

Hi there!

Introduce Yourself

Sambo - don't apologize for sharing your experiences. I really appreciated reading your perspective on things and would definitely consider that a strong case for home schooling. Many people I have talked to have had similar experiences, although very few were negative. I am going to follow the lead of my children and let them teach ME (as they have been doing since they were born) how to raise them. I think a good parent is a good listener. My daughter is very eager to start kindergarten next year and I am going to honor that until I sense that things need to change. There are so many elements at play here, especially with my need for a better education so I can work a more rewarding job that would ultimately make me a better parent. I am looking to become an IBCLC (internationally board certified lactation consultant) as this is something I feel very passionate about and it also leaves me with a more relaxed schedule. I want to start a greenhouse. I am also an artist. I love to paint, but I don't ever sell my artwork. They tend to be rituals or gifts for people I love.

Well, there's a bit more unsolicited information about me. I'm off to read more about other people's dreads. Thanks to everyone for responding.

Hi there!

Introduce Yourself

Soaring Eagle - thank you. I know now from researching that interlocking isn't good (after I started my dreads - ugh) and I'm not looping them at the roots to tighten them anymore. A friend of mine taught me to do that years ago and I'm no longer ignorant about it so I stopped.Baba Fats - I haven't had problems with DHHQ shampoo yet except the price and the fact I have to order it off the net. I'm probably just gonna switch to a combo of Dr. Bronner's and sea salt. I realize I can't NOT wash my hair because it itches and looks weird and greasy if I don't.As for how I school my kids - I appreciate the advice as I'm sure its well-meaning but I can't afford private school. I am looking into the public school here which is probably the best in the region but I also don't want them put in a rewards/punishment system that is damaging to their sense of self-motivation and self-discipline. I always make informed choices about anything I do so I am looking into all options. Not all homeschooled kids are lacking socialization as they often join extracurriculars and home study groups. I'm just not sure that lifestyle is for us since I have to continue my own education at some point before my body gives out from dancing. Lol

Hi there!

Introduce Yourself

I'm Erin (obviously). Just found this site a few days ago, looking for ideas about shampoo. I was totally caught up in reading about the general consensus about wax being harmful, and I'm grateful for the info that was provided. I'm definitely NOT using it anymore, and currently trying to remove all the stuff that is probably stuck in my dreads still with a combo of DHHQ shampoo, super hot waterand dish soap. I think I've been making some progress because I can feel the wax coming out of the tips each time I wash.

I've had my dreads for about 6 months now, but I had them previously for several years and ended up shaving them off in a ritual of sorts. I have missed them constantly since then and decided to give it another go. Mine were formed with a weird combo of interlocking/back combing. I also did some very open woven embroidery wraps that I've since removed. My first set of dreads were formed with yarn wraps and they were super tight, but I also didn't like the smell the wraps gave them so I decided not to do that this time around. I'm stuck between wishing I had gone the more natural route but also glad that mine formed pretty quickly due to the "corporate dread" method because of work.I'm trying not to be a control freak about it though. I'm grateful for any bit of progress I've made.

So, about me...I'm 32 and I'm married. We have a total of 5 kids between the 2 of us. 2 are ones I gave birth to. I'm what you'd call a "natural mom", or "attachment parent". My kids eat up most of my time until they are old enough for school. Considering home schooling but I'm not sure I have the ability to do that. I work nights as a dancer in a club and I've been at it for about 7 years, hence the reason I want dreads that are a little neater and more groomed looking. Customers are always commenting on my hair and saying they like it orasking, "why would you do that? you're so pretty without dreads! blah blah blah". Much like my tattoos, I didn't decide on having dreadlocks toplease other people. I do it becauseI feel it is the mostaestheticallyinteresting hairstyle I could have and also because dreads areart to me. Each lock isunique and beautiful.I'm not by any means a Rasta but art is my spirituality and I take my art seriously.Each person with dreads has a distinctly personal story behind their hair journey and that is so cool to me. It takes hard work and dedication, patience and love.Many ignorant people claim that dreadlocks make a person look lazy or dirty. I think the opposite.

Well, sorry this has turned into a novel. Hope everyoneis having a great weekend.

updated by @erin2: 02/14/15 04:46:25AM

baby dreads

General Talk

I guess lice would be a concern for any parent. How hard are they to remove from dreads vs non-dreaded hair?

baby dreads

General Talk

This is a good question, and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. From what you say about your son, I think he would be ready to dread and enjoy the process.

My daughter is almost 5 and wants dreads like her mama.I put a temporarypink dye in her hair at 3 (her idea) and she is very experimental with her clothing, accessories and is just an overall kooky, creative kid.When she asked me about doing her dreads, I explained that kids might make fun of her, that she can't just take them out once they are there and she seemed to not care. I've also come against negative opinions from family members. Kids do change their minds a lot, but I think trusting them to make a big decision like that and giving them responsiblity to care for their locs can do wonders for their sense of accomplishment and identity.

dreadheadhq called rippoff and scam

Dread Products

Very true, hippiegal.

dreadheadhq called rippoff and scam

Dread Products

To be honest, I found this site through the google search "dreadlock forum" because I wanted suggestions about making my own shampoo, or where to buy a better one locally. I found DHHQ several months back (before I found this one) searching for "dreadlock shampoo" and figured it would be a legit purpose because you don't think someone with dreads is sitting at the helm of this huge, evil corporation. It just seems so contradictory. So it doesn't really cross your mind. It's hard to know who to trust on the internet.

I like to think I'm an intelligent person and I do a lot of research, more than most people would I think. But I ended up buying into the wax trap. I'd neverheard orread anything different.There are always times people get screwed over by misinformation, even when they think they're being offered information from a reliable source. The lesson I learned in all of this is to look at the motive behind the source. Are they trying to sell you something or not?

dreadheadhq called rippoff and scam

Dread Products

Personally I feel that people who are selling products that are harmful to dreads and claiming that they are healthy and necessary should get negative reviews like this. Ok, he doesn't have an F rating - maybe he did at one point but the overall point is that this guy is a businessman only concerned with making money and not giving a shit about the well being of the dreads he's helping to ruin.I think people should be aware of that.So you're supposedly not a shill or a troll, but why come here and harass SE when you see he is not selling a product but rather helping people take control of their hair in a healthy way. He may ask for small donations to keep the site going, which is a valuable resource to many, but I don't see him with his own line of hair care products intending to become rich. That's the difference between him and Johnny Clean.I can't believe anyone would complain about this site, as it asks for very little in return for the help it offers. Even if SE did nothing to participate, it appears to be a strong community.If you have issues with the layout, why not message SE privately rather than attacking disrespectfully in a thread that has no relevance to the complaint? Or just realize there is a greater message behind the typos.

dreadheadhq called rippoff and scam

Dread Products

I think SE proves a very valid point here and created and maintains this site to help everyone have healthier dreads and feel empowered and liberated by their choices rather than be a slave to some corporation peddling a bunch of unnecessary methods and products. He responds to everyone's questions, seemingly repeating the same answers over and over for new people because he wants people to have the right tools and knowledge to create healthy dreadlocks.

If someone wants to attack him for that, I can only imagine they have an agenda of some sort or an allegience to their precious products. It's called "brand loyalty" I believe. And a person who goes out of their way to promote this loyalty would be known as a "shill". Or on the internet we just call them trolls.

I don't necessarily have a loyalty to anyone on the internet, and I have only been on thisforum for a few days, but what I can gather is that SE is very passionate about this endeavor and this is his site. Anyone who disagrees with him is obviously free to do so, but coming here and attacking him for his spelling errors is low and petty.

reasons not to use a dread kit from those whove used a dreadkit

Dread Products

It's not very thick, slightly larger than a toothpick, but the hook at the end is sort of an arrow shape and tends to rip hair out when you're trying to remove it. You have to do this whole song and dance to MAYBE get the loose hairball into the dread itself but it would just pull back out of the roots when I washed it.