DD10-To Shave or not to shave.....that is the question!

[cruisnfamily]

My DD who has recently turned 10 has been battling me on this issue for about 2 years.

She has quite a bit of dark hair on her legs and has for some time. She doesn't look like a gorrilla or anything, it's not an abnormal amount of hair or anything but it is dark and noticeable.

She wants to shave her legs. My standard answer has always been that she needs to wait until she is a teenager but now I am beginning to question myself.

This is a year round issue for us as we live in Florida and wear shorts most of the year.


So........should I let her shave her legs or make her wait until she is 13? What did you do with your kids? If we do decide to do something about her legs, are any of those cream type things any good or is shaving preferrable?

I really don't want her to shave yet but it is affecting her self image and I don't know what to do.....Please help!

 

[from Canada]

My DD is now 11, and I let her start shaving when she was 10. She was very self conscious about the dark hair on her legs. I bough her a good safety razor and some good foam and instructed her on how to do it. You could get an electric razor if you're worried about cuts.
I remember as a child not being "allowed" to shave until a bit older. I was sooo self conscious, as was my sister. We have a pic of the 2 of us in Florida wearing shorts an KNEE SOCKS!!
So, I say....let her do it.
Karen

 

[Kermit]

I think you should let her shave. You're going to be facing a lot of battles in the future that are much more important, like when she can wear makeup, how modest her clothes have to be, and when she can go out with boys. If she's uncomfortable with the way her legs look and she's responsible enough to either shave often or wear pants when they're prickly, let her shave.

 

[snowball22]

Let her shave but help her out. My dd age 10 started this fall. We did the electric shaver once which really did not work so well. Then I showed her how to use a disposable with soap and shaving cream. She tried it herself once and really gashed up her legs pretty good. I told her that we would take a break during the winter and then in the spring that I would shave her legs the first few times till she gets the hang of it. It is up to you but if she is aware of how her legs look and it is bugging her, let her shave. Just my opinion.

 

[aahmom1]

Let her shave, it won't hurt her. I don't really see the reason for waiting until you're a teenager with this kind of thing, it's not a gift, it's hygeine. I say let her do it.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I say, let her shave. Especially since you live in Florida. There are so many things for young girls to be self conscious about, this doesn't need to be one of them.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by aahmom1
I don't really see the reason for waiting until you're a teenager with this kind of thing, it's not a gift, it's hygeine.

1) The reason I had for waiting is that I thought that once she started the hair will come in thicker and coarser. Isn't that true? I thought the longer she waited the better.

2) As far as it being hygiene...I don't really see how. Obviously if she had hair under her arms (which she doesn't) we would address that situation. I don't think having hair on her legs makes her unclean.

I really appreciate the feedback you guys are giving me. The one and only vote for not shaving is mine and apparently I am living in the dark ages. I guess I will need to reconsider.

Keep the responses coming!

 

[RitaZ.]

If it bothers her, then let her shave. If it was makeup that she wanted to wear, then that's a different story.

I agree with ChiTownZee. I honestly don't think that your DD shaving her legs will lead to anything negative.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hair comes in coarser for some, for others it doesn't. I do not think it has anything to do with the time you start shaving.

Anyway if it affecting her self image that is the reason enough to let her do it. I say make a day of it.

I am hairy, 11yo dd is hairy. She had to start shaving at 9yo. I had to shave my armpits at 8 YEARS OLD. Now I am faced with what to do with the mustache she has. Should I get her electrolysis, wax it or what???

Trade you problems???

 

[caitycaity]

i started shaving at 10. i say go for it. there's no need for her to be so self-conscious and embarrassed over something so easy to fix.

 

[minniecarousel]

My first reaction was "No! she's too young" Then I read your story and thought, "of course!" I don't think it has to do with age, as much as her feelings about herself. I can remember being allowed to wear nylons before being allowed to shave, and I could see the flattened hairs beneath the hose! ugh! very ugly look!! (I agree with Rita - if it were make-up she was wanting - she's too young for that!)

 

[Patabel]

If it bothers her, then please, please, PLEASE let her shave...I speak from personal experience.

Having very dark hair myself, when I was ten I asked my Mom if I could shave my legs, and she said no for the very same reasons many of you mentioned above. Well, there was an older (one grade up) boy that I thought was cute...and on the playground one day he made reference to my "hairy legs"...I am 50+ now, and I STILL remember that day. Ok, maybe I am not traumatized for life, and we all suffer embarrassments over the years as we grow up, but this was one type that I really wouldn't wish on any young lady. Please let her.
Thanks!

 

[grinningghost]

My DD started shaving at 11. She had alot of dark hair on her legs and it was really noticeable. I thought I was starting her kind of early, but from these posts I can see I wasn't. I feel much better now. By the way, she's 13 now and a PRO shaver - no cuts.

 

[binny]

another vote for let her shave.

I have deep feelings baout this issue though lol.

my mom never taught me how to shave.she gave me an electric razor and just let me go at it. Even if you get her an electric razor ( which I think IS a really good idea less scars lol) please teach her how to use a regular razor too just for back up. I dont know why this has always stuck me but it has lol.

 

[browneyes]

My 9 yo dd has been battling me to this for awhile too. Her legs are hairy, but they are very, very blonde.

I remember my mom not wanting me to shave when I was about that age. I was in the 5th grade when I took matters into my own hands. I still have the scars to prove the dangers of shaving (the only razor I could find was my dad's straight blade razor ).

 

[RitaZ.]

Browneyes~ I did the same thing and I still have one scar to prove it.

 

[SuiteDisney]

My DD is 11 and she doesn't shave her legs, yet, because she doesn't want to. When she wants to start, I'll probably buy her an electric shaver.

 

[aahmom1]

I don't think having hair on her legs makes her unclean.

I don't see it as unclean, I hope I didn't make you think that. I just meant it's another of the things that girls have to do. If you or she feels she should do it now, go ahead and let her do it, it'll only make her feel better about herself. Again, I hope I didn't offend you, I absolutely didn't mean to.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I agree with all the others. LET HER SHAVE!! My DD began at age 10. She is a cheerleader and very self conscious of the hair on her legs!! She was embarrassed and it really wasn't that dark.

Girls can be so cruel to one another. This is one thing that kids pick on each other about. I really don't think it is a big deal and these girls will have many other things to face in life more importtant then shaving!!

My DD uses the Venus razor and has never had an accident!! She feels more confident with her legs shaven and that just suits me fine!!

As for the upper lip..........my DD began bleaching it last year when a few kids mentioned it was dark (darker than her legs!!). I just began to let her wax it (since I wax my own every other week!!). It makes her happy and not self conscious......

To me, these are simple things in life that can help our daughters self-esteem.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Regarding the mustache.....I would definitely have that waxed regardless of age...it's on her face after all and very noticeable.

I wish I could take my daughter to have her legs waxed but I know she couldn't stand the pain of it....she can't stand pulling a band aid off.

It appears I am in the minority in wanting her to wait so perhaps we will go forward with this. I wonder what Dad will say? So far he has not been involved because I have always vetoed it. He may not even have an opinion on the subject.

Could you all enlighten me about electric razors? I have tried them several times with no luck at all on my legs. A regular disposable razor seems to work the best. What kinds of electric razors have you used? Have they worked well?

Has anybody used any of those creams that supposedly remove hair? That might be an easy solution if they are easy and work

Keep posting and voting....I need all the input I can get!