Forum Activity for @mandallyn

Beauty, Dreads, and the Journey

General Talk

It's a funny the ideals and expectations that are instilled in us from a very young age, that in some cases we don't even know are within us until we are faced with the situation.

I have 3 boys, 2 (who can speak) have told me they like my hair. My middle child, especially, loves my hair. He will tell me how pretty my hair is (I've been dreading for 5 months) and this alights in me a furious passion tobrush out my hair. I imagine this feeling is instilled in me by my American media-centered culture, which has a very fictional idea of beauty, what it is and how to attain it.

I have been conflicted as of late whether or not I want to continue on my dread lock journey. Its a battle for me, between what I've been taught all my life, and what I truly believe. I did not think that being called pretty, especially by my child, would ever make me want to change myself. Yet here I am, considering changing a part of myself that I am happy with because my child thinks I'm pretty; and I feel as though I need to live up to my own socially acceptable idea of beauty, which funnily enough is not whathe thinks is pretty.My husband has discouraged me from brushing them out, and I feel like even if I did take the time to brush them out I would be back in this situation again because truly, I love my baby dreads. This doesn't stop the war that is being waged in me, but I suppose this is all part of the journey.

updated by @mandallyn: 01/13/15 09:40:58PM

not again

General Talk

I want to let my baby's hair do what it will as it grows, but my husband is worried about him having to face other people's judgement. :o/ I was/still am (but a little less) worried about how others perceive me as a mother with my hair all crazy, I usually cover it, or use a headband to help control my hair when I go out. Yet even with unkempt hair my children generally listen better than most others they're around, so it's quite obvious, whether or not I fit in, that I'm a good mother. I believe actions always speak louder than words, and anyone who judges without knowing isn't worth the time of day.

Election poll....

General Talk

Obama. I wasn't going to vote, but I really don't want Romney in office.

To The Ankles, you talk a big talk, but it seems as though you are lovingly spoiled in your country, and you seem to have a very deep hatred for Americans. You assume we blame anyone, but we understand where the problems in ourcountry are, unfortunately our main stream media focuses our attention on less important or already settled matters. Are those Americans woefully uniformed and are they doing a wrong to their people as a whole by choosing to remain ignorant and not at least listen to what the other side has to say? I'd say yes, but what do you expect us to do when most major news stations are owned by conservative zealots? Or when ordinary household products are made by a corporation who we in turn pay by purchasing their products who can then spend millions on lobbyists in our country, who only care about how much they will profit, how do we ordinary citizens fight that? Especially when they throw baseless information in your face and pretend like they're facts? 25k on education debt... actually doesn't seem that bad. I've heard some horror stories about college debt. Do you have privatized colleges in the Netherlands? They're scary here it's kind of like Russian roulette depending on the course you're taking if it will be accepted when you go get a job. On occasion these institutions lie and say they have accreditations they don't have. Even when someone is trying their damnedest to escape poverty there is the chance they will get pushed back down.

Minimal progress after 2 1/2 months natural

Dreading Methods

I'm in my 3rd month. I agree with SE, its a lot of progress. I did TnR and natural mathod, and after the majority of my TnR untangled they are at the same stage as my natural hair.They're doing basically the same thing as yours, twisting around and tightening into bunchy curls.I don't expect them to look like dreads until 2 yrs at least, it seems to be the exception having them look mature in a year or under.

What are your reasons for Dreading?

Alternative Lifestyles and Subcultures

I'vealways been one who needed to justify everything I do.I searched and searched for a reason to have dreadlocks. And I've finally realized, I don't need a reason to justifyhaving them. I love seeing dreadlocks, I think they are beautiful, and the fact that they require very little matinence is a plus. I feel my dreadlocks will just be another stepping stone on the path to self-enlightenment. They will help me to learn to trust myself, the choices I make, and brush off the criticism of others.

updated by @mandallyn: 07/23/15 04:14:49AM