Camping Dred

We just got back from a three-day camping trip to a nearby Nebraska State Rec Area (SRA). We swam, fished, rode bikes, walked, played with our dog, and my five-year-old developed the dreaded camping dred lock. When we camp, it is family time, and some of the day to day conflicts we normally engage in are thrown out the proverbial window in favor of conflict-free family fun. One such conflict is that of hairbrushing. My five-year-old would rather chew glass than have her hair brushed. She has naturally curly hair underneath and wavy on top hair. The curls tend to get really snarly, even after a normal day of wear and tear, so you can imagine what three days of wear and tear without a comb or brush in sight might look like. I'll take the imagination out of it and show you:



So, when we arrived home today I quickly dumped her into a tub of warm suds and immediately doused her in shampoo and then a nice large dollop of conditioner. With the conditioner still in, I combed from the bottom up. Surprisingly, the dred slid out nicely. I think we may make this a nightly bathing ritual. I braided it and VOILA! Good as new. Dred lock free hair!