OT: What age to start shaving legs?

[Merriwind]

If any moms have had their DDs' legs waxed, I loved to hear from them how it works. My DD9 has hairy legs, but blonde. I always wished that I had started waxing my legs and was thinking about taking her when she wants to shave. I had a friend in NY who had always waxed and it was great. Once in a while, she'd just go get waxed, no shaving!

DD is going into 4th grade. Last year, two girls starting wearing bras (and needing them) in her class. From talking to her mom, I know of one girl who started in a bra this summer. The girl down the street who is exactly the same age as DD (one week younger) has been in a bra all year and has clearly started her growth spurt. This all seems so much younger than when I was little. I think everything--bra, shaving, period--was a 7th grade event for me.

DD is tall, but fairly thin--4'9" and 70#. She started with underarm odor and some breast budding actually at age 4. Ever since, she has been monitored by an endocrinologist. The buds disappeared when she slimmed down (lost her baby fat) and switched to organic milk. (She doesn't drink milk at all now, it upsets her stomach.) She still uses deodorant, but is completely flat-chested. She gets tested once a year. As of April, results of about 10 blood tests and a bone scan show that she has not started puberty yet--and I'm so glad!

I have the AG book, but haven't given it to DD yet. She stumbled on a book on the subject in the library and flipped through it--and was kind of horrified by the whole idea. Just wanted to put the book down and get away from it-poor baby. Even her endo says that emotionally/maturity wise, DD isn't ready. So, hopefully, we've got a little while yet...

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread. It's so nice to see that other moms--and girls--are facing the same issues.

 

[nolacindy]

No DD as of yet but this brings back memories. About 6 weeks before the end of my 8th grade year I broke my ankle. I got the cast of the day summer vacation started and the next day started my period, I was 13, what a way to start summer break!. It scared me half to death!

I've got 15 year old DN that is already a wears a DD bra, started her period when she was 9 and has very dark hair (her mama was italian). Shes got bushy eyebrows, a little bit of sideburn and hair just about everywere else. She is being raised by her grandmother who thinks that if we take her to get things waxed it will just grow back more . Her GYN said it was hormones and put her on birth control.

 

[IDoDis]

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.

I saved an issue of Time Magazine from 1999 on this whole issue. I wanted to be able to read it again later when my DD started puberty. I just read it again a few nights ago. There is the argument about the hormones in the milk and meat, and the fact that girls are heavier now than they were years ago. Again, a lot of it has to do with body fat. The foods we eat these days were not meant for humans and was not how people ate in the early days of civilization.

About the milk issue -- My BF has a DD who is 6 weeks older than my DD. She has always fed her DD organic dairy products and the child rarely eats meat. My DD drank regular non-fat milk. They now live in another state, but we visit them every summer. My DD is one inch taller than her DD, but they are both developing at the same rate with puberty issues. We both laughed at that and said, "So much for the organic foods!" They are both 11 yrs. old.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I saved an issue of Time Magazine from 1999 on this whole issue. I wanted to be able to read it again later when my DD started puberty. I just read it again a few nights ago. There is the argument about the hormones in the milk and meat, and the fact that girls are heavier now than they were years ago. Again, a lot of it has to do with body fat. The foods we eat these days were not meant for humans and was not how people ate in the early days of civilization.

About the milk issue -- My BF has a DD who is 6 weeks older than my DD. She has always fed her DD organic dairy products and the child rarely eats meat. My DD drank regular non-fat milk. They now live in another state, but we visit them every summer. My DD is one inch taller than her DD, but they are both developing at the same rate with puberty issues. We both laughed at that and said, "So much for the organic foods!" They are both 11 yrs. old.

I'm gonna have to search for that article online as it sounds like it might be a good read. To be honest I never really bought into the foods being the reason for early development, but I'd love to hear the facts for that argument. I developed early and this was 40+ years ago. I was a vegetarian until my mid-30's and I am lactose intolerant...so I don't think meat and dairy were the culprit for my early development and actually, my mother developed earlier than me and that was back in the 1930's for her.

I guess if my DD developed well under her teen years I would question what caused it, but there seem to be so many factors that go into that equation that it would be really hard to point one thing out and say that is the cause. Now with fat, yes, I've seen a whole lot of little girls with fat on top...not a chest. My personal thought is there sure are a lot more chubby kids (boys and girls alike) these days. Now that is where I could be convinced that food is an issue. As the decades go by, there seem to be more processed foods, larger portions and as a whole (although there are always exceptions to the rule) people are much more sedentary than they were 30 years ago. I know I sure never sat down so much as when the personal computer came out!

 

[vickyBaby]

My mother handed me a bottle of Nair and an electric shaver when I turned 9.
My hair was dark and she didn't want me to be embarrassed. If your daughter has dark hair and wants to shave, go the safe route and not give her a regular razor.

 

[vickyBaby]

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).

My mother gave me the same thing!!!

 

[IDoDis]

I'm gonna have to search for that article online as it sounds like it might be a good read. To be honest I never really bought into the foods being the reason for early development, but I'd love to hear the facts for that argument. I developed early and this was 40+ years ago. I was a vegetarian until my mid-30's and I am lactose intolerant...so I don't think meat and dairy were the culprit for my early development and actually, my mother developed earlier than me and that was back in the 1930's for her.

I guess if my DD developed well under her teen years I would question what caused it, but there seem to be so many factors that go into that equation that it would be really hard to point one thing out and say that is the cause. Now with fat, yes, I've seen a whole lot of little girls with fat on top...not a chest. My personal thought is there sure are a lot more chubby kids (boys and girls alike) these days. Now that is where I could be convinced that food is an issue. As the decades go by, there seem to be more processed foods, larger portions and as a whole (although there are always exceptions to the rule) people are much more sedentary than they were 30 years ago. I know I sure never sat down so much as when the personal computer came out!

I held onto that magazine for years and just threw it out like last week after reading the article again, otherwise I'd mail it to you. I was wrong with the year -- it was in 2000. Here is the cover of the magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20001030,00.html

There's a link under the magazine picture that says "Read the Cover Story."

 

[Queen of 3 princess]

Thank you OP! My daughter just turned 9 and I have been wondering all these questions myself. She is 4'1" and weighs 63lbs. This summer I have noticed her getting curvyer and her leg hairs are getting thicker even though they are blonde. She did ask to shave awhile ago but I thought she was to young and no one would notice her hair because it was blonde. Maybe I will rethink that. She has needed deoderant for about a year. She always forgets to wear it and she smells sometimes so I have to remind her. She has no breast development or any other hair development. I have been wondering if I should have the period talk with her now or wait till she starts developing in other places? I was overweight when I was her age and wore a bra in 4th grade and started my period about 12.

 

[Del]

My dd just turned 11--going into 6th grade.

She started shaving the lower half of her legs around 2 months. She had been bugging me for around a year. She's self-conscious about it...I bought her the razor that has the soap/gel attached to it.

She has been wearing a sports-like type of bra since 4th grade. Find them at Target/Limited too. Just started wearing the cup like ones this month.

Hasn't gotten her period but a few of her friends have.

Just keep praying.

oops.....give her the american girl book to read now. Have all talks now. Don't let her be the last one. By nine, my daughter and I read together "the books" and now understands everything....from me and not her friends.

Del

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I held onto that magazine for years and just threw it out like last week after reading the article again, otherwise I'd mail it to you. I was wrong with the year -- it was in 2000. Here is the cover of the magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20001030,00.html

There's a link under the magazine picture that says "Read the Cover Story."

Cool! Thanks for the link! I'll have to sit down and read it in a bit.

 

[eeyore3847]

I think whenever they feel body consous(sp) about it should be the right time!

LORI

 

[pbharris4]

My DD is 11.5 and entering 6th grade. Shaved Legs-not yet, Period-not yet, Bras-wore a few times.

She's fighting being a girl. She'll wear girl things, but no pink and nothing too girly. I am fine with it, but not if she totally looks like a boy. She was crying the other night because she doesn't want to wear bras or get her period or anything like that. I felt bad for her, but told her that's just how it is for girls. She likes the sports bras (she needs one now) and I told her I'd get her whatever kind was most comfortable for her, but she had to wear one everyday to get used to it.

I like the electric shaver idea. My DD faints at the site of her own blood (if it's like a few drops or more) so I know she'll cut herself and maybe faint. I sure hope that doesn't happen when she gets her period.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

My DD10 is not shaving, no period, but is wearing a simple bra. She has a friend who is shaving, and has high-lights and knows some girls her age who have their nails done. They are like tiny grown ups. I am steering my DD away from these as much as possible. I don't want her to grow up to fast, but no matter how much I try to curtail it, it comes in. I don't agree with girls having highlights done at such a young age, I didn't get mine for the first time until I was 18. When I was her age, I was still playing with Barbie, and did so for another 3 years. I think I finally packed them away at 13. I think we as a society force our kids to grow up too fast. I'm holding off as long as I can.

 

[coinkc]

Would anyone be willing to share what kind of electric razor you got for your daughters? My 11 year old asked if she could start shaving her legs and I like the idea of an electric one to start her out with. Thanks!

 

[katiesmomluvsdizne]

sounds like we are in the same boat. DD will be 10 in Sept, but is very big for her age. She is 4'11 and wears a woman size 7 shoe!!! She has been wearing deo off and on for about a yr, luckily she doesn't smell yet w/o it. I thought I had talked to her in great detail and explained about periods but just today she said something that cracked me up!!! She was asking about what age I was when I started (she just brought it up in the clear blue). We were talking about it and then she said so I have to deal with a period until I am old and just to have kids, she then proceeded to say "well a guess I'd rather wear a pad "there" than on my butt." I said "what are you talking about?" She said don't boys have to wear pads on their butts, isn't that where they bleed at when they are on their period?"
I thought I was going to pee my pants
So I guess I hadn't explained it as clearly as I thought.
She has asked to start shaving and I was going to let her since her hair is getting long, light colored but long.
I noticed this past month while I was going thru the beloved PMS that DD was soooooo moody and tempremental. I am afraid that she is going to be one of those early beginners. She'll be in 4th grade this year. I was really hoping to not have to deal with it until middle school, but last month's mood is telling me otherwise.

 

[powellrj]

Would anyone be willing to share what kind of electric razor you got for your daughters? My 11 year old asked if she could start shaving her legs and I like the idea of an electric one to start her out with. Thanks!

This is the one I got. I bought it in a store and paid around $15 for it,


http://www.conair-store.com/product_detail.asp?T1=CON+LWD375GCS&HDR=GROOMING&.

 

[carissanboys]

My mom bought me an electric razor around the age of 10 I believe. I STILL have the thing!! And it still works

 

[jenlynn0808]

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?

DD is 9.5 and started using deoderant this year...and she needed it!

 

[monorailsilver]

La la la I can't hear you all...

My oldest dd is 6 & I can see the hair on her legs so I am sure she will be one of the early ones shaving & I will let her because I had hair on my legs & I hated it.

No period, no period, stay away period.

 

[DISNEY4XMAS]

My DD has just turned 13, I have just started letting her shave. Well I have bought the VEET shaving system. Just like Nair and it uses a bladeless razor. The hair on her legs wasn't dark but she said everyone was shaving already, and she was going into the 8th grade. No period yet!