Beauty Vlogger Jessica Pettway Speaks After Being Criticized for Giving 2‑Year-Old Daughter Crochet Twists

Last week natural hair vlogger Jessica Pettway posted an adorable photo of her two-year old daughter, Kailee, wearing crotchet twists.

Responses to the image, however, were mixed, with some fans questioning the safety of using of using a protective style on a child so young. Pettway insists, however, that the the style is not only safe, but a great option for busy moms.

BGLH: Why did you choose to put crotchet twists in Kai’s hair?

JESSICA: Well because her hair needed a break. It’s always out. I saw a few videos of moms doing crotchet braids on their kids, and I found that they had done crotchet braids with twists. I didn’t have to physically twist her hair, and it gives her hair a break. We also have a lot workshops and events we’re going to be doing this year and I need her hair to be healthy and strong, so I needed to put her hair away.

BGLH: Tell me more about these workshops.

JESSICA: I host a series of workshops called Handle with Care, where we provide information and tips for how to do your child’s hair. Moms are busy and it gets overwhelming…I give tips that I use with Kai that help me with styling her hair.

BGLH: Can you share some of those tips with us?

JESSICA: I always make sure she’s well rested, has snacks, and a movie on. I make it a positive experience.

You don’t want to do it at time when they are extremely tired, either. The experience depends on their mood.

BGLH: So tell us more about the process. Did it take a long time?

JESSICA: The whole process took no more than three hours. Felicia Leatherwood braided her hair, and I installed the crotchet twists.

BGLH: Did she sit still the whole time?

JESSICA: Yes. She’s so used to it, and it’s not a traumatic process. I make the experience fun for her. She loves getting her hair done. She goes to the cabinets and gets the brushes…I make sure she enjoys doing it. I want her to enjoy getting her hair done. It’s a bonding experience for us.

BGLH: How did Kai feel about the crotchet twists?

JESSICA: She loved them! When the style got old we unraveled the twists and cut the hair into a twist-out.

BGLH: Last year Christina Milian got a lot of flack for styling her daughter’s hair in crotchet twists. What do you think about some of the comments you’ve both received?

JESSICA: People need to understand that this style isn’t anything new. I had them when I was a child. Adding extensions to a child’s hair isn’t new. I think because it’s the age of social media and people think they can say anything. We all have our perspectives…People may not parent the way I parent my child, and that’s fine, but don’t try to force your philosophy on someone else.

Watch Kai get her hair done here:

What do you think of Kai’s crotchet twists? Share your thoughts below!