[joskids]

Kat, don't worry, I'm in no hurry to relax Samantha's hair, if at all. She is AA/Italian, just very, very thick hair, very long -- I certainly don't want to damage it. I'm doing all I can to keep it healthy.

As for the hot comb I was talking about - I've noticed there's a very big difference from my using the "Chi" hot iron on her hair, as opposed to having it hot-combed at a salon. My aa SIL, got on me about having it salon hot-combed, saying it would damage the hair. Geesh, what's a mommy to do???? The Chi hot comb doesn't stay very long, depending on the humidity, but it does definitely make the comb thru (particularly on the "kitchen" area) a LOT easier.

If you don't know what the "kitchen" is, ask an AA woman. I've learned so much from women who were not afraid to share their hair information and I really do appreciate it. Seems, though, that EVERYONE has a different opinion. You know your children and the texture of their hair and the amount of time you have to play with people's heads. I think the key is to finding a very good salon where a relaxer is not the first recommendation and where the stylist will work with your child's hair to get it in the best shape.