Ok moms, when did you let your DD start shaving their pits?

[punkin]

Hmmm...to me 11 most definitely is a little girl. I'm pretty sure she's not being teased.

2 things. First of all, I agree that 11 is a little girl. She may be growing up, but she is a baby in so many ways. Second thing, she may be embarrassed even if she is not being actively teased. My DD11 was. I don't know why. I also had a rule-summer before 12th birthday- which makes sense for Fall babies like mine, but I rescinded the rule when I realized how upset DD was.

 

[PaulaSue]

it isn't an age thing. Its more about when they feel self conscious. Now would be a good time to start since her 'friend' brought it to her attention.

ditto!

 

[Sandy V.]

Why would anyone want their child to continue to be embarrassed and/or self-conscious about something that is so easily remedied? I just don't get it.

That's how I feel as well. If your daughter ASKS, there's obviously a reason. To deny them because it doesn't fit a parent's "timeline" as to when they should start just seems so wrong to me on so many levels.

 

[cheermom1]

op I think you and your dd need to talk about this and come up with something that is right for the TWO of you...I agree that if she is asking there is a reason and you need to know what it is..I let me dd start shaving very early around 10 or 11 I think but she has VERY dark hair and course like me and she is a cheerleader from that time on. I remember that I wanted to shave so very badly very early b/c of it and my mom didn't understand as she has very light, fine hair and I swore I'd never do that to my dd...I also agree that it is not an age thing as my sis didn't start shaving till she was like 14 or so b/c she has hair like our mom...it is an individual thing...hope this helps

 

[momof1princess]

OP, my DD is 12 and has had to shave her armpits for well over a year now. she just started shaving her legs about 2 months ago. the hair on her legs was very dark, and some kids commented on it, but she is stubborn and refused to shave her legs until she was ready. as soon as your DD realizes she needs to shave her armpits, it is time to help her learn, IMHO.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Mine go to IDEAL IMAGE laser hair removal.

I started the conversation with them because I noticed the hair was coming in. I didn't want them to get teased.

 

[MAKmom]

My DD10 has pit hair! She was in ballet class the other night and her friend sees her underarms and says eeewwww! Goodness, it's not even that much, more like a tiny fluff of hair. I can't remember, but is 10 too young to be dealing with pit hair? She wants to shave it now because she's embarrassed.

It is now time to shave.

 

[tinker&belle]

Hmmm...to me 11 most definitely is a little girl. I'm pretty sure she's not being teased. While she does have hair, it's not super long or bushy or anything. I think it's more something she's just curious about and eager to try...like driving. I certainly wouldn't let my 11 year old drive! LOL

I had very fine blond hair on my legs and was teased BRUTALLY at age 11 by a boy in gym class several times until my mom let me shave (she actually got me nair first, then eventually a safety razor). It made me INCREDIBLY self conscious! If she's asking, I'd let her.

 

[esbrick]

My DSD, 12, asked me about it and I told her that she needed to ask her mom. She said "Mom doesn't understand!" I told her to rephrase the request to her mom, as sometimes she has a habit of "baby talk" when it comes to asking her mom things, ie if I sound and look cute I'll get what i want. I told her to use this approach:"Mom, I want to start shaving my legs and I know I need to learn, would you teach me so I can do it right and then we can get our nails done?" Yes, I'm sorry, please no flames, it is manipulative but, as DSD says, and I agree at times, "She doesn't want me to grow up!" so we need a work around.

When I asked her about her pits, she said she was good, and she is, but I told her that when she was ready for that one to come to me and we would tackle that one together! IMHO, if she gets the go ahead on the legs then she shouldn't have to ask about the pits.

 

[NewCrew42]

OP, my dd just turned 12. She isn't shaving yet, but is very blond & not very hairy and doesn't have any pit hair yet. The hair on her legs are few and far between and asked her this summer if she wanted to shave and she didn't see any reason to and to be quite honest there really wasn't a need.

That being, most of her friends are shaving. A lot have started their periods.

We are just slow developers around here.

I think I was 14 before I started shaving. I was a lot like my DD, I just really didn't need to.

 

[Angelhalo]

My mom had an old-fashioned razor, the kind with real blades you attach to the razor. Nothing like you buy today. I wasn't touching that thing without some instruction, my mom took the blade out after each use. And that was all I had available to me.

ok

 

[Cinderella94]

I never understand why it's a big deal . One day when I was like, 9, I saw hair there and I shaved it. Case closed.

 

[Angelhalo]

I never understand why it's a big deal . One day when I was like, 9, I saw hair there and I shaved it. Case closed.

ditto

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I wasn't going to make my poor girl suffer with pit hair! We shaved it today and she was thrilled at how smooth it now looks! She also told me right after that she feels so much better about it because when she's in her ballet class, there is a lot of arms above the head and arching so now it won't be embarrassing for her. She's thrilled and I'm happy she feels better since she only mentioned it to me last night that her ballet friend made a comment.

My question was more of a 'at what age did your girls start developing pit hair'. I thought I was older than 10 but couldn't remember for sure. I do know that my mom told me quite blatantly that I stunk at age 10 and needed deodorant!

 

[X and G's mom]

Thank you OP for this thread. My DD11 doesn't have pit hair, but her leg hair is dark and she's been hinting at shaving. Maybe I'll have to let her now

 

[PlainJane]

My parents basically forced me to start shaving my armpit hair when I was eight. It was very noticeable and black in my case. I think they were worried that I would get teased.

But, then they were all weird about me shaving my legs. That wasn't allowed until I was 10.

Parents can be really bizarre.

 

[TeresaBelle]

My DSD, 12, asked me about it and I told her that she needed to ask her mom. She said "Mom doesn't understand!" I told her to rephrase the request to her mom, as sometimes she has a habit of "baby talk" when it comes to asking her mom things, ie if I sound and look cute I'll get what i want. I told her to use this approach:"Mom, I want to start shaving my legs and I know I need to learn, would you teach me so I can do it right and then we can get our nails done?" Yes, I'm sorry, please no flames, it is manipulative but, as DSD says, and I agree at times, "She doesn't want me to grow up!" so we need a work around.

When I asked her about her pits, she said she was good, and she is, but I told her that when she was ready for that one to come to me and we would tackle that one together! IMHO, if she gets the go ahead on the legs then she shouldn't have to ask about the pits.

The part I bolded would make a great tag!

 

[mhsjax]

My DD10 has pit hair! She was in ballet class the other night and her friend sees her underarms and says eeewwww! Goodness, it's not even that much, more like a tiny fluff of hair. I can't remember, but is 10 too young to be dealing with pit hair? She wants to shave it now because she's embarrassed.

When mine gets her first dark hair, she can shave. AGe doesn't matter, hair under arms does. It must be gotten rid of. IMHO

 

[dicar123]

Oh y'all have thrown me back to horrible elementary school memories.

For whatever reason, my mother believed that girls do NOT need bras until 6th grade. 5th grade is undershirts.

I spent all of 5th grade being horribly embarrassed and my first bra, in 6th grade, was an A cup.

Even today, I cannot understand what my mother was thinking. When there are breasts, there are breasts.