How to do girl's hairstyles : How to do a progressive braid 10-15 min

Does anyone have a girl(s) the age or attitude of or phase or whatever it is, of wanting to do their own hair? (And I mean where it is still difficult for them to do a nice job on it?) We are struggling with that a bit in my house. My seven year old, bless her most headstrong little heart, sometimes refuses to have me touch, help, advise or even get near her hair some mornings. She has learned how to braid, quite well, and put in elastics, rather well, and how to put in ponytails, not so well. I am trying to be brave and let her have some control in her life, and let her learn (because they do eventually have to do it themselves, right!), but it's been a difficult path (sadly yes) for me. Especially when I see the back parting job and it's every which way but loose.......but I must put on a smile and tell her it looks marvelous. I think I am the one that is learning all the lessons here... I think my mom was relieved when I took over doing my own hair.
This whole growing up/parenting business is never easy is it? But when I see how proud she is when she's all done and accomplished something that she's been practicing, it makes me happy, and I can let her go feeling the more important step has been taken. Because isn't that why we do this ladies? To help our little darlings feel good and have confidence in themselves? It's not about vanity, it's about helping them have the inner strength to go out and face the world and people around them. I know it's easier for me to do that with my face ON rather than washed off, and my hair done, rather than clipped back in twelve little clips. (Generally it helps for me to have my contacts in as well.)
So all I'm trying to say is that I hope you are having those wonderful growing moments together too when you are with your gals to get them ready for the day, whether you are allowed to do their hair or not! Happy Mothering!

And enough with my waxing philisophical, here's a fast, easy, and basic little hairdo with braids, that I, of course, saw somewhere else and thought it was fun and different.

Start with a center part, hair dampened and gel in if you prefer to help with flyaways.

Each side will be divided into 3 sections, from front to back. Part off the first section and braid it to the ends.                                                         

Part off your next section, and make the two outside sections larger, since you'll be incorporating your braid as part of the next braided section.

Showing the 3 sections.

Continue the braid to the ends.

Do the same with the last section.

And finish on the other side. Do any of you get the 'warped' braid look when you braid in other braids? You can see how hers aren't hanging straight down in this pic. Some things you can do, that work somewhat......1: You can get your hand wet and run it down the braid, pulling down and trying to work out the 'kinks'. 2: You can hang a big fat heavy flower or ribbon on it (it would have to be pretty heavy, so of course I'm joking. 3: you can join the two braids together in the back and put them into one braid. I simply just called it good and said, "off ya go!" :)

Enjoy those little girls! There is just something special about them, and they grow up too darn fast!