Today the Department of Awesome Parenting salutes Melbourne, Australia-based mother Shelley Gifford, who turns her daughter Grace’s hair into elaborate works of braided art nearly every day. Gifford says she’s always enjoyed braiding hair, but wasn’t aware of just how creative one could get with it until she discovered people all over the world sharing their own braids via social media.
“I found accounts that were solely set up to show hairstyles that mums had created on their daughters. I loved what I saw and it was then that I started my own Facebook and Instagram braiding accounts. I started following other hair and braiding accounts: asking questions and continuously watching video tutorials. I also attended braiding and up-do workshops. I just love learning new styles and advancing my skills. I’m hair obsessed. I’m always challenging myself to create something new and unique.”
Gifford usually braids Grace’s hair before school and sometimes on the weekends. While she’s always coming up with new braid designs in her free time, she spends only about 15 to 20 minutes actually braiding her daughter’s hair, which is done while grace watches tv after getting herself ready for school. If a particular style is going to take longer than usual, they wait until the weekend to do it.
Gifford always documents her daughter’s new hairstles with a photo. You can follow her latest creations via Facebook or on Instagram.
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