Schools open tomorrow for the fourth term, and the girls are ready. I’ve just finished updating their braids, and they both look so fresh and confident. It always amazes me how something as simple as new hair can lift their mood and get them excited for a new start.
Introducing Them to Themselves with Short Hair
About six months ago, I made the decision to cut their hair short. It wasn’t a big, dramatic change — just something I felt was needed. Their hair needed a break, and to be honest, so did I. But it was also deeper than that.
I wanted to introduce them to themselves without the comfort of long hair. I wanted them to see that beauty doesn’t live in how much hair you have, but in how you carry yourself.
At first, they were unsure. One even asked, “But what if I don’t look pretty anymore?” That broke me a little, but it also opened a door. We talked about how confidence starts inside, not on the outside. And when they finally saw their reflections with those fresh short cuts, they smiled — real, proud smiles.
It was a small change that carried a big lesson.
The Everyday Stuff That Matters
Now, with their new braids shining again, I see how much they’ve grown. They’re more expressive, more opinionated, more sure of who they are. They choose their own styles now, and I just help bring the vision to life.
Motherhood, I’ve realised, isn’t just about caring for our children — it’s about teaching them how to see themselves clearly.
Most days aren’t picture-perfect. There are messy mornings, forgotten lunchboxes, and the familiar rhythm of the school transport arriving right on time. I’m usually waving them off from the gate, making sure their bags are zipped and their faces are shining.
But tomorrow will be different. I’m on leave, and I’ve decided to personally drop them off for the first day of the term. It’s a small thing, but it matters to me. I want to be there — to see their excitement, to remind them that I’m proud of them, and to share that first-morning energy before they settle into their routines.
It’s moments like these that remind me why the ordinary things are so special. The hair-braiding, the lunch-packing, the early mornings — they seem small, but they’re the heartbeat of our days.
Finding Gratitude in the Chaos
I can’t imagine my life without my girls. They’ve changed me in ways I never expected — stretched my patience, deepened my empathy, and taught me to slow down.
As we head into this new school term, I’m holding onto gratitude. Gratitude for growth, for laughter, for early mornings and late-night talks. Gratitude for the chance to be their mom — even when it’s hard, even when I’m tired.
To every parent preparing for the new term, I hope you find small pockets of peace in your routine. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. These little moments — the braids, the breakfasts, the school runs (or the waves from the gate) — they’re the real thing. They’re what we’ll remember.
