I have had a traumatic evening...

[Briarprincess]

The Veet kit is AMAZING! It's basically Nair that smells much better, they make it sensitive skin, dry skin, everything. You just put it on, spread it out, wait from 3-5 minutes, then take the bladeless razor thing (basically a spatula type tool), and do the shaving motions. Any direction though, so you can go over your knees and not have to worry. I've never had any problems with it, even with extremely sensitive skin.

 

[shortbun]

I don't remember how old I was but I think I was 10 when I shaved my legs. I wish I had never started, lol! As to the facts of life, start with something simple like the egg growing story. Then ask if she has any questions. My son knew about eggs and sperm when he was 3!!!! He painted pictures of sperm in preschool. Ha ha ha ha! They about died!!! lol! I have the picture framed and on the wall in the living room. It looks like real modern art. Quite good really!

 

[fan of the TTA]

i agree.

i think she is growing up to quickly.

don't tell her anything. as you said, she's only 8

 

[powellrj]

My DD wanted to start shaving this year. She is in the 4th grade and was 9. She is pale blond and it really didn't show, but when I ask her about it, she said some kids had said something to her about it. I know how mean kids that age can be, so I decided it was one less stress in her life if I let her start. I bought her a cheap electric razor. It works great for what she wants it for. I don't think she uses it much, but its there if she wants to.

 

[mudnuri]

This was a battle with DD9 that I chose not to fight. She's Italian- with a fair complexion (british mixed in lol)...however, her hair is DARK and thick. She started last summer asking to shave, she was 8, and at first i said no.

Then she stopped wearing shorts- okay- here's the intuition- go to it. I had her get in the tub, with her bathing suit on- and showed her how to do it. Now, almost a full year later, she shaves once a week in the shower. Her father wasnt too happy- but he got over it.

DD8 on the other hand- has the italian skin, and the british hair LOL she wont be shaving until she's 30 probably! Even with her sister shaving, she hasnt asked yet.

This is where the PICK YOUR BATTLE comes in!

Brandy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Forget about the age and look at what she needs. She obviously is "hairy".
I also started shaving at 8. Now here I am at 41, going to get lasered soon on my face.

When you are hairy, you are hairy and it stinks!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

My daughter just started shaving her legs last month. She just turned 10. I also have a good book recommendation for the OP. The Care and Keeping of You is a wonderful book for young girls. It is an American Girl book. Tells you about shaving your legs, using deodorant and things like that.

 

[raammartin]

Forget about the age and look at what she needs. She obviously is "hairy".
I also started shaving at 8. Now here I am at 41, going to get lasered soon on my face.

When you are hairy, you are hairy and it stinks!

You must have edited your post after you sent it as I had an additional line in my instant email notification that isn't here.

Of course I care that she has hair. It's just sad to see them grow up. Shaving seems so teen/adult-like and she's still 8 and my baby. Of course I will show her how to shave. I'd never want her to be picked on at school. When either of my children get picked on about anything and they tell us about it DH and I always make sure that they know not to do the same things to others because they know from experience how it makes a person feel.

 

[raammartin]

My daughter just started shaving her legs last month. She just turned 10. I also have a good book recommendation for the OP. The Care and Keeping of You is a wonderful book for young girls. It is an American Girl book. Tells you about shaving your legs, using deodorant and things like that.

Thank you for the book suggestion.

 

[pixiemomma]

I would let her do it. It was my much older sister who teased me.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You must have edited your post after you sent it as I had an additional line in my instant email notification that isn't here.

Of course I care that she has hair. It's just sad to see them grow up. Shaving seems so teen/adult-like and she's still 8 and my baby. Of course I will show her how to shave. I'd never want her to be picked on at school. When either of my children get picked on about anything and they tell us about it DH and I always make sure that they know not to do the same things to others because they know from experience how it makes a person feel.

Yes, I did when I read the rest of your thread and you said you were going to help her. My post was way too harsh for you. Sorry that comes from the hairy part of me. It really SUCKS to this day and I am 41.

I do not share your sentiment with being "sad that they grow up". I certainly do not equate that with shaving. I put that in the category of "basic needs".

I try to enjoy the "stages".
I have a 15yodd & a 9yodd.
Better to enjoy than be sad!!!
Have a great day, gotta go get ready!!! We are going to sign for our pool today!!!

 

[cinmell]

She asked for highlights when another kindergartener got hers done. I started a thread about that one.

Highlights in kindergarten? That's crazy!

 

[ZuZugal]

I know of a REALLY GOOD BOOK for girls of this age (8+).

"The caring and keeping of You". It's an American Girl book. It is amazing. I wish something that that was around when I was a kid. You can get it at Target and any book store.

It discusses all the changes a girl goes through when she reaches a certain age. It doesn't get into the birds and bees stuff, but things we as moms might not even think about discussing since it is so "common sense" to us. It touches on sports,sweating,deoderant,bras,leg/underarm hair,makeup,periods, and so much more. I think it empowers girls of a young age to have an understanding of lots of these "basic" things. If they have an understading then they don't get so embarassed or worried when something happens or they notice a change in their body.

I read the book first, then gave it to my DD to read 1 chapter at a time. We talked about each chapter when she finished, then she went on to the next.

 

[melomouse]

Hi - Wanted to recommend two more books that have companion videos:

"Where Did I Come From?" and "What's Happening To Me?" - Peter Mayles(?) is one author - there's another, too that I can't remember.

The first is for kids as young as 4 and the second is for pre-puberty. These are about 15 years old now - but are excellent.They are cartoons that are humorously presented and do a great job of covering ALL the bases. I have been using these for years at work and with my own kids. You may want to preview them by yourself to "tune in" for follow-up questions and to get over any embarrassment while watching with your child.

I know they are still available through the public library and I think a Borders or Amazon should be able to find them as well.

Good luck!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Another thumbs up for "The Care and Keeping of You"!

This reminds me of when I started shaving my legs. 1975. The first day of P.E. in 6th grade, the year we started having to "dress" for P.E. All the girls are outside warming up at the beginning of class in their lovely matching green polyester knit shorts. 20-odd 11yo girls with hairy legs. One girl with beautiful smooth legs.

Next day, same P.E. class. Same girls. But now, every single leg was shaved clean and smooth.

I know what you mean about them growing up so fast. My oldest is also eight. She's boy-crazy, and play-dates are beginning to consist of sitting in her room listening to CD's and talking about Jesse McCartney and B5.

She still doesn't care much about where babies come from, though. I really expected all those questions when she was around 5, especially since that's when her sister came along. I've even brought it up myself, asking her "do you ever wonder how the baby gets in the mom's belly?". Her answer? "no."

 

[SC Minnie]

DD wanted to start shaving at around 9 (she used my razor a couple of time swithout my knowledge ). I had a talk with her and told he if she really wanted to start shaving she would have to use Veet or Nair. I don't want her cutting herself with a razor. She uses the Veet less than once a month (she says its too much trouble to have hairless legs ).

As far as the other stuff-- When DD was about 9 I asked the same question you did and got racked over the coals on this board because I hadn't already had the 'talk'. Anyway, DD and I have since talked about things and she had the talk in school in 5th grade. I also bought her a book recommended on this board. I told her that if she had a question about something that she was embarrassed to ask me she could read the book but I would always be open to answer/discuss anything she wanted to know. Thankfully she hasn't asked much . She says she doesn't want to go into 7th grade because they have the another 'talk' in 7th. She says she just doesn't want to know anything else! I'm sure that will change though

 

[SandraVB79]

About the shaving: I DID cut myself with the Intuition-razor, so it's not cut-free!

About the baby-talk: I can't remember my mom talking a lot to me, but I had two older cousins (2 and 4 years older) and we used to spend a lot of time together, and I got lots of the basic knowledge from them.

I think it's best you try to get over any embarassment (although that's easier written down than done!!) and have some good talks with her.
better safe than sorry...