Let’s be real: If you have small children in your family, you’ve felt their pain and heard their yells while you work to comb through stubborn knots in their hair. But that experience doesn’t have to be unpleasant or painful! Here are some tips from Coco and Crème on how to detangle natural tresses easily and painlessly.

What you’ll need:
A solid block of time
A wide-tooth comb
A spray bottle filled with water or your choice of essential oil or leave-in conditioner
Plastic hair clips or elastics (no metal bands, please)

First, take a few minutes to explain to the kiddies what you’re doing, why and how long it will take. This will soothe their fears and give them an idea of how long they’ll have to be patient. (Mother’s helper: Pop in a DVD; have your child read a book or tell you a story. This helps distract them from what’s happening in the grooming session.)

Next, run your fingers through your child’s hair and smooth out any braided or twisted hair to work out big knots. Be careful not to pull or tear hair. Divide tresses into manageable sections.

Now, take your spray bottle and spritz hair with your customized detangler mix. (Wet hair detangles easier.) Begin by detangling hair from the bottom of the back of the head and work your way up. Start from the ends of the tresses, and work your way to the roots. Hold each hair section firmly at the base so your child won’t feel any pulling (just pressure). This also minimizes the chances of hair breakage.

Use a wide-tooth comb to gently untangle hair sections. When you reach hair roots, comb the hair section to ensure tresses are completely knot-free.

As you finish a section of hair, braid it or clip it so you can continue untangling the rest of your child’s tresses without interference. Once finished, style hair as usual.

Want more tips on how to care for your precious child’s hair? Click here to learn more.