A.M.
Hello J.,
I have two Bi-racial Grandsons and both have long curly hair. I am their Grandmother of Color. One of my Grandsons has long straight loose spirals and the other has very long straight hair but with a smaller type of spiral.
We vary their hairstyles, sometimes going from a ponytail in the back, to multiple braids or just hanging loose with a part in the side. Always keeping in mind that they are very definately boys...not girls. They are very GQ! One is 2 the other is 8 years old.
I have had great success using Olive Oil on their hair, which I have always used on my own. There are very nice products on the market with Olive Oil in them. A little bit of this oil goes a long way. The trick is to massage it into the hair, grasp a small section and softly comb or brush it from the ends gradually working your way further up the hair shaft to the root near the scalp.
I find it helpful to keep my hands on the hair, taking care not to pull it too tautly (but loosely), in order to prevent the combing or brushing motion from jerking their head or neck unnecessarily.
Hair care time should never be traumatic or fearful for children. I have Always used a loving tone and compliment them daily on how good they were through the hair care session and always compliment them on how handsome and goodlooking they are. I used the same technique on my two children as they were growing up.
It also helps that Grandma has a special Spongebob Lounge chair for them to sit in during these occasions. I sit it in front of my chair and they sit in the special chair so that we are both comfortable during this time of day.
Good Luck!
Angie