At the beach this summer I noticed my daughter's legs and the hair on them. She's eight and aware I shave but of course (thankfully) isn't thinking ahead like I am. My mom forced me to shave when I was in fifth grade. I was taken by surprise at the time. At what age did you begin to shave your legs? Did your mother require you to do it, or was it something you chose to do? Did you and your mom or you and your daughter disagree if and when it should happen? Is there a typical age this starts these days? Thanks.
When SHE is ready to start shaving, then allow it.
If you think she is too embarrassed to mention it to you, then you can mention it to her. I would not require it.
A girl should shave her legs if and when she wants to. Let her approach you with the subject. Your mother was wrong to take the choice and timing away from you.
I'm sorry your mom forced you - that's never a good idea.
When she asks about it or says she wants to, that's when you have the discussion.
It varies so much by age, maturity, hair color, peer pressure, climate, whether or not someone's in an activity like gymnastics or swimming. Just wait for it.
a) when she starts to grow significant hair (all kids have hair on their legs) and b) when she asks.
khairete
S.
I would say when she brings it up. If she seems like she is averse to wearing shorts or avoids showing her legs in public you can bring it up and ask if she wants to start... But as long as she doesn't care I wouldn't worry about it.
I started around 6th grade, and my dad actually was against it... We compromised with Nair for several months, until one day it peeled an inch-wide swath of skin off my leg from my ankle to knee. (Turns out that consistently using the stuff can really damage the skin...) After that he was all for shaving. :)
I informed my mother at around age 11 that I was going to shave my legs. She felt that it was unnecessary at that age, but I felt otherwise (and I went to a school where the uniform was a dress, so I felt very self-conscious about it). So I began shaving my legs.
My daughter asked if she could start shaving her legs when she was almost 10. She has always been very mature for her age, and has always wanted to do things just like grown-ups do (even cleaning the house and doing laundry - she's a funny kid). Because it was important to her, I let her do it.
I think this is one of those things where the child should determine when she wants to do it. As moms, it is just our job to support them so they don't have to feel self-conscious.
I started the summer going into fifth or sixth (can't remember which) grade because I was self conscious about it and wanted to. I don't think a parent should force a child to do it. Shaving should happen when the child becomes uncomfortable with the hair and wants to shave it off.
The right age to start shaving is if/when her body hair starts to bother HER. If SHE never sees it as a problem, there is no reason she should ever feel that she MUST shave. If SHE is embarrassed or self-conscious about it, there is no reason she should be told that she must wait to shave.
If I were in your shoes, I'd just let her decide. Maybe introduce the subject and let her make the decision.
The ball should be in her court. She shaves when she feels she needs to and she'll probably bring it up to you if you have a good relationship with each other.
I would never suggest anything like that to my daughter because I would not want to put a bug in her ear that something was not "right" about her body. Girls have enough issues with body issues and self esteem without mom bringing something up.
I was around 10 and no my mom did not tell me I needed to shave. I figured that out on my own.
Just be ready to show her when she asks. There is not right or wrong age because it depends on the hair growth and if it bothers the child or not at the time.
As with most things, I follow my child's lead. If "they" are uncomfortable, I help them. No forcing, no shaming, just go with what makes your daughter feel okay.
When she wears knee socks the hairs will bother her. If she wears panty hose the hairs will bother her.
Otherwise she's a kid and really has no need to shave. I think shaving is an adult thing to draw attraction to smooth silky sexy legs. For foreplay. Not for kids.
I'd say start at 10.
My parents told me age 13 but I started at 10.
Just buy a good razor & shaving cream.
I think it was the summer after 5th grade. My mom got me an electric razor for safety reasons. It was because I wanted to, not because she encouraged it.
I started at 12 but I had two older sisters and was embarrassed when my hair stuck out of my fishnet stockings! I always used shaving cream and a razor.
If she's not worried about it, I wouldn't worry about it. I think when they hit puberty, they notice it more.
