I think most of us are staying away from sulfates, parabens, and drying alcohols when it comes to our hair products. If you want to take it a step further and avoid products that aren't harmful to you or the earth, you may want to consider a green beauty routine. A "natural", "clean", and "green" routine is basically the same thing; it's all meant to be sustainable, eco-friendly, and made from natural ingredients.
If this sounds like a routine you'd like to switch to, here are 5 green hair products you're going to love!
amika Curl Corps Defining Cream
amika
This is definitely for my girls with fine curls. amika Curl Corps Defining Cream is a great green option for type 3 and type 4a/b hair that helps coat curls to keep them from frizzing, splitting and sagging.
NaturAll Club Fresh Avocado Deep Conditioner
NaturAll
NaturAll Club Fresh Avocado Deep Conditioner is made with fresh avocados and fresh fruit with natural oils to add moisture and nutrients to your curls, leaving it soft, moisturized, detangled, and shiny for days.
Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo
Alikay Naturals
Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo removes buildup without stripping hair of its natural moisture. This clarifying shampoo is made from raw Black Soap to heal damaged hair from deep within the follicles.
CurlMix Flaxseed Gel
CurlMix
CurlMix has a few variations of this flaxseed gel, including fragrance and fragrance-free options. My personal favorite is the pure flaxseed gel with organic jojoba oil. Besides the fact that it is creamier and more moisturizing than other gels, it leaves your hair soft, defined, and moisturized without the crunch or flakes.
Soultanicals Marula-Muru Moisture Guru
Soultanicals
Soultanicals Marula-Muru Moisture Guru is definitely for the girls with dry hair. I happen to be one of them; you can use this alone or add it into your routine as a leave-in. The cream nourishes hair strands and provides intense moisture with rich ingredients like murumuru butter, marula oil, and pracaxi oil.
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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