OT: What age to start shaving legs?

[IDoDis]

I bought my DD a Remington WDF3500. I found it at Target on Sale for 29.99
with a $10 rebate coupon inside. This was last spring. DD loves it. Here's a link to the razor:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...FID=Yahoo&LNM=B000KYR8I8&ref=tgt_adv_XPYD0100

 

[Keara'sMom]

This has become a little bit of an issue for us, too--it's been so interesting reading everyone's responses! Nice to hear other ideas and perspectives.

My dd10 is slender (about 4'7'' and not quite 60 pounds). She's going into
5th grade, and this past year in school, the kids learned all about puberty (yes, ALL about it ). Dd started using deodorant this year after convincing me that most girls in her class used it (I asked several parents, and my dd was correct)--she didn't need it. She also doesn't need a bra and is very thankful, as she hates the feel of anything around her chest. I've even had to cut the bra-like things out of tank tops for her!

I have told my dd that she's too young to shave her legs, and she's accepted that, but now, after reading all these posts, I'm re-thinking. She does have quite hairy legs (always has), and if she's asking, then maybe she's self-conscious...

Also, about the AG book...dd had no interest in it a year ago--thought it was "gross!" Now, however, she's fascinated and has poured over it. Sigh. Guess my baby's growing up!

 

[IDoDis]

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!

I don't like the idea of putting these chemicals (hair removal creme) onto a growing girl's body. Who knows what kind of cancerous cells it could cause later in life? The smell is awful and it burns the skin if left on too long.

I would recommend that your DD just shave with an electric razor so you can avoid putting those nasty chemicals.

 

[Cindy B]

Has your DD read the book, "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Bloom. It is all about these three girls and their coming of age/getting their periods. It's very age appropriate and just a darling book. It was written in the 50s or 60s when they still used "belts" with their pads, so I had to explain that part to DD. She loved the book. I highly recommend it for any girl who is starting to notice changes and asking questions.

Actually are you there God was written in the early 1970's. It is a great book, but a bit dated on info.

My daughter will be 10 soon.

She's one of the peanuts in the classroom being short and somewhat petite.

She's had training bras for a while, but hates to wear them because they bother her. She says they are tight, but they are the right size. (I think its just the texture/sensation that bothers her.

I substitute teach in an elementary/middle schools and I have heard about periods at 2nd grade--which is the earliest I have heard. Most 5th/6th grade girls have had it. However, I have heard that the onset is based on body weight/mass as well. Since my daughter is a petite peanut, it may be a while.

As for legs, I haven't started yet. She is a bit darker and it doesn't bother he yet. She is starting 5th grade this year, so we may talk about it soon.

My daughter is a tomboy, so she's not really into this stuff.

 

[IDoDis]

Actually are you there God was written in the early 1970's. It is a great book, but a bit dated on info.

Oops, my bad! Yes, it was published in 1970. I did notice also that the 2006 edition has replaced the belted pads with the adhesive ones. I found DDs book at a used book store so it was an older version.

 

[Patti_C]

My dn is 11 and she started shaving when summer vacation started. She kept asking me at spring break but I told her that she needed to to have arm pit hair first. hee hee (my way of having more time to hold onto my little niece) since she is the only girl I have. raising her for troubled sis. anyway the minute she got armpit hair she sure let me know. so she broke me down and she is officially a shaver. she started to wear a bra at the start of 5th grade, and now with bigger ones than me, but that doesn't take much!HAHA. I think they do develope faster than when I was young.

 

[threekidsandasheltie]

My oldest dd is 10yo, she has been wearing a sports type bra since late 3rd grade(she did not really need it, but the school shirts were thin and I felt that she needed them), she just got some of the "cup" bras and does now need to wear a bra. She has been wearing deodorant since she was 5-6yo, she also developed underarm hair and hair down below at this age. She was monitored by a endocrinologist until she hit 9yo(since she still had not started her period, we stop the endo visits).

Now at 10yo, she wears a bra, shaves under her arms(I do it for her), she does not shave her legs yet(if she asks I will let her start) and she has not started her period yet. I think it is only a matter of time though, she is nearly 5ft tall and weighs about 125 pounds.

Oh and I did let her get her hair highlighted this year for the first time, it was a treat for her. She has had a real tough almost two years(we lost our home in Hurricane Katrina), she lost her friends that she had been in Scouts and school with since pre-k, last school year was really tough her cousin caused lots of problems for her in school and thru it all she still maintains good grades and perfect conduct in school. To me its just hair,