OT: What age to start shaving legs?

[kmjmom]

Okay, another Mom's perspective here. My DD is 13 and she began shaving in 6th grade when she became aware of her hairy legs, she started wearing a bra when her anatomy called for it and you can't really predict the period!

 

[shelly3girls]

Thanks for this great thread. DD8 keeps asking. One of our neighbors was making fun of her in school for her hairy legs. Funny thing is that the girl is hairier than DD. Anyway, I said 10 and in 5th grade. Looks like I need to adjust that.

 

[graygables]

I think when a girl is getting teased, it's a bit too late, but that's from my own personal middle school torture. Mine still at home are 11 and 8, both started wearing deodorant around 7yo. The first time the "funk" hit my nose, it was Dove-time. I hate going to the dance studio around all those girls who need it, but who don't know it yet. I honestly think it should be mentioned in the newsletter.

11yo started developing around 9 and has worn a sports bra ever since. I've monitored the hair issue, but she hated shorts/tank tops, so it was never an issue until recently when she decided that crop pants and tanks made Summer dance classes a bit comfier. We also had to buy some cruise clothes that made her a bit self-conscious, so I bought her the Intuition, explained it, and let her do her thing. Her legs don't need it as much as the armpits, so she isn't bothering with them yet, but will when she's ready.

We've had the AG book for awhile, and it has been a huge help in opening lines of communication (11yo has Asperger's, she's hard to talk with sometimes). I HIGHLY recommend it, but read it first yourself, to make sure it's appropriate for YOUR DD.

 

[ellyn2000]

I'm with kmjmom, you cannot predict these things. I let DD begin shaving when she asked. She was bothered by her hairy legs and I remember how that felt at that age. The other things are very individual. I was older when I started "maturing" and she was not, so mom's history isn't always passed on to her dtr..

 

[IDoDis]

Okay, another Mom's perspective here. My DD is 13 and she began shaving in 6th grade when she became aware of her hairy legs, she started wearing a bra when her anatomy called for it and you can't really predict the period!

My DD's pediatrician said about 18 months from the time the first buds appear on top. Also, a body won't menstruate unless it has sufficient body fat which usually means around 100 pounds or slightly under.

 

[jenrein]

For those who get their kids legs waxed....dont they cry? I tried to talk mine into getting her eyebrows done- she has big think eyebrows and makes me pluck them. Every pluck is ow ow ow ow. I said just go with me and wax them, its all over in a second and she is paranoid. I couldnt imagine her getting an entire leg done! But I have never done my legs either!

 

[kaysmommie]

I for one don't want my DD7 to grow up too quickly . SHe likes like she could be in Kindergarten luckily because she is tiny. She has blonde hair on her legs and when she gets a little tan you can see it but I think it's cute and hardly noticeable. She asked when she can start shaving her legs the other . That is just crazy, they grow uo too fast. ALso she would love to have her hair highlighted like mommy because she wants to be blonder . I figurd she would not need to shave her legs until at least 5 or 6th grade being she is blonde. The car seat well that is another issue. She is 7 and will probably be in a booster seat until college being she is only 43 lbs . For the record I started when I was 11 for all of the above things mentioned.

 

[taximomfor4]

I'm looking for moms to tell me at what age their daughters started:

1. shaving their legs; 2. wearing a bra; and 3. their periods???

Thanks!

1. 5th grade (all the other girls were, too, that year)
2. 11 1/2??
3. 13

 

[taximomfor4]

My dd just turned 9. She has had hairy legs most of her life - fortunately its blonde hair so it doesn't show that much but I've wondered about this also. I'm hoping to hold off a bit longer.

She has no signs of needing a bra yet - flat as a board.

But here is a related question. This past year my daughter has developed adult type underarm odor. She now has to wash under her arms every morning and use deoderant. She has no underarm hair growth yet. When have dds started to need deoderant?

Heh! DD9 was dancing yesterday, and said "THis is the SECOND time my armpits got super sweaty." I didn't notice an odor, but the real sweating has begun. It's so strange, because she is soooo small -- going into 4th grade, yet not 4 feet tall yet. She is only up to the other girls' shoulders now. It would be just...strange...for her to be " changing."

I remember with my oldest (now 14) that her leg hair kind of changed. It became less fine, more easily noticed. THAT is when I let her start shaving it.

 

[taximomfor4]

Good heavens....mine may never start! LOL! She's going in the 4th grade and weighs about 50 lbs. She's healthy....just petite.

Of course, I clearly remember being very tiny at her age too. I think I was in the 3rd or 4th grade when I finally outgrew 6x clothes in width.

I think I started around 13 or 14. I didn't hit 100 lbs until I was in college. (Ah the good old days! LOL!) We will under no circumstances discuss what my weight is NOW.

DD has been asking to start shaving her legs too. Her leg hair is very light, but if it's bothering her, I'm probably going to get an electric shaver and give in.

I have heard the 100-lb thing too...but I Know it is not always true. I didn't break 100 lbs till years after I started...and one family member of mine, several years after starting, still hasn't reached 100 lbs.

 

[MomofKatie]

Wow- I guess I need to rethink the whole "shaving age" thing- DD is really hairy, and she has been asking (although about her forearms, not legs) for a while. I just don't feel good about a razor- maybe I'll get her VEET.

So far, she has absolutely no need of a training bra- she is another petite almost 9 year old. I think she is about 4'2", and she weighs about 52 lbs. I hope she doesn't start her period too soon- I was in a real bra at 10, and I started not too long after that. The middle school teasing was not real fun- when you are a full C cup, and most of your classmates haven't gotten ANYTHING yet, the boys sure do notice (and not in a good way, either). I seem to remember my mom not wanting me to shave, but I went ahead and did it at around 6th grade. I was a bloody mess- Mom finally gave in and taught me how to do it properly.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Whenever DD feels like she needs to shave I'll help her. I was younger than everyone else and felt so out of place... I can't see how keeping her from shaving will slow down time. If anything, removing the leg and underarm hair would make her more child like and help her fit in with her peers.

Also, DS started NEEDING deodorant in the 1st grade, so he has had it since then (not antiprespirant, just deodorant). He also LOVES Daddy smelling bath wash that doubles as shampoo. When DD hit the 1st grade I bought her girlie smelling bath wash and deodorant just like DS. She loves to pick out the bath wash and doesn't really need the deodorant yet, but its there for when she does.

 

[deedeetoo]

Also, a body won't menstruate unless it has sufficient body fat which usually means around 100 pounds or slightly under.

That means my dd will never start. The child doesn't have an ounce of fat on her body. She is just turned 9, 49 inches tall and weighs about 48 lbs.

 

[bushdianee]

No daughter here but I can tell you that I started my period at age 10 in church of all places. I do remember that I knew all about it so I wasn't too scared. There was a family party that day I all I heard was that I was a "Young woman" now I don't remember when I started wearing a bra or shaving but seems like forever! I have 3 sisters and none started as young as I did. One was almost 14 or 15 when she started.
I teach 1st grade and had a little girl come in one day this year and say"Look! I'm FINALLY wearing a bra!" She was SO proud (didn't need one at all!)

 

[mandysbus]

I think I started shaving my legs when I was pretty young. the hair bothered me so my mom bought me a pink plastic electric shaver (didnt give a super close shave but enough for a little kid). I think I was a little older when I got my period and I started wearing bras before I needed them (all the other girls had them!). I have to say though, I'm still not so big up top (I see little girls walking around town that put me to shame). People say its the hormones in meat and I was not a big meat eater when I was a teen. Oh well, I never have trouble finding cute swimsuits and tops that fit.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> 'm looking for moms to tell me at what age ...
Somehow I don't think that this information is useful. Each person is different as to what age hair grows to be visible.

As far as what age to start shaving at, the answer is, "when the kid wants to".

What business does a guy like me have joining this conversation? Because the same question is asked by boys and about young boys growing visible mustaches and beards and my same answer applies.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[IDoDis]

I for one don't want my DD7 to grow up too quickly . SHe likes like she could be in Kindergarten luckily because she is tiny. She has blonde hair on her legs and when she gets a little tan you can see it but I think it's cute and hardly noticeable. She asked when she can start shaving her legs the other . That is just crazy, they grow uo too fast. ALso she would love to have her hair highlighted like mommy because she wants to be blonder . I figurd she would not need to shave her legs until at least 5 or 6th grade being she is blonde. The car seat well that is another issue. She is 7 and will probably be in a booster seat until college being she is only 43 lbs . For the record I started when I was 11 for all of the above things mentioned.

I agree! A couple of DDs friends are getting waxes, pedicures every 2 weeks, hair highlights, ect... And these girls are a year younger than her. Kids already grow up way too fast. I need to be my DDs mother and set boundaries. What will be next for some of these kiddos? My motto is, "You can always go forward, but you can never go back."

As far as the needing a bra, I have no problem with younger girls wearing the cupless type bras when they are young. It's really no different than wearing an undershirt. Some actually need one at young ages -- not because they are really developing yet, but because they have extra body fat which tends to show in that area. I've seen girls with "fatty breasts" for years before they actually hit puberty. Once the real breasts come in, you will know because other changes happen as well. The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 years from wearing a bra to starting a period.

Sorry for all you guys out there who have to read this stuff!!

 

[DumboFan]

My DD started shaving last year at age 8. Unfortunately, DH's side of the family is very hairy - when she was about 4 she asked me why grandmom had a mustache! We use the intuition razor on her legs & an electric razor under her arms. She knows she's not allowed to shave her legs unless I'm in the bathroom & most of the time, she asks me to do it for her.
As for the "unibrow", we use one of the small facial razors. I've tried talking her into getting her eyebrows waxed, but she has this "thing" with the girl that waxes me - they argue constantly!
She has bras in her drawer & wears them when she feels like it which is starting to be more frequently. Its not something we make a big deal about!
I'm not looking forward to the whole period & hormonal swing phase. I know our house will be a war zone!!!

 

[krcit]

So funny to see this thread today. My dd is 12 and a total tomboy. Today she got stung by 2 bees on her leg and when I was looking at the stings I thought to myself 'gee, her legs could do with a shave." I think I will gently bring it up before school starts b/c I would hate for her to be teased. She did ask to shave when she was in 4th grade but she really had very fine, very light hair so I put her off and she hasn't asked again. I have bought her bras but she still wears tank tops and undershirts instead of them. She has hardly anything on top and always wears big shirts so so far she's been okay but middle school is upon us so things will have to change

 

[momz]

I've heard that it's the american diet that has caused girls to mature at a younger age than ever before in our history. This concerns me because I started my period at 11, and at that time, was the first of my friends. I was very self-conscious about it. My biggest concern is that my daughter could start even earlier . One thing that we have done in my family is serve only organic milk. My kids are big milk drinkers and I know that the regular milk is loaded with hormones used to make the cows produce more. Don't know if this will make a difference though.