|
|
Post by Drew on Mar 6, 2016 3:52:12 GMT
My girls really want to shave their legs. I told them they could start shaving when they started their periods. Is that reasonable? They're 11 and 13. When did you give the go ahead? Update... Oh my lol. Ok, so, the 13 yr old just asked for the first time a few days ago when she and her bff made the volleyball team and decided they wanted to start shaving since they'll often be wearing shorts. 11 yr old got wind of it and decided she wants to also, only because her sister wants to shave. My first reaction was to say when you start your period, although I'm rethinking that position. And to be very, very clear; They are not being bullied They are not being shamed or teased No one is being mean to them They are not self conscious or embarrassed They are very fair skinned with barely visible leg hair Thanks for your input!  |
|
|
|
Post by padresfan619 on Mar 6, 2016 3:53:50 GMT
They obviously feel uncomfortable with their leg hair. Let them shave. My mom let me start shaving when I was 10.
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,528 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Mar 6, 2016 3:54:16 GMT
I'd probably let them start when they expressed interest, even if it started as more of a "hobby" than a necessity. LOL
The other thing to do is check in with them to see if they are uncomfortable with the hair they see on their legs. If that's the case, just let 'em shave.
|
|
|
|
Post by chaosisapony on Mar 6, 2016 3:54:54 GMT
My mom let me start when I was 10. I was so grateful because I had been teased for a few years by that time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Mar 6, 2016 3:55:00 GMT
When she asked. DD has dark hair and therefore dark leg hair. I've seen how the mean girls operate. I'd rather she start when she felt she was ready. I'd say dd was about 10.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:59:33 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 3:55:56 GMT
Some girls don't get their periods until 15 or so... I think that is a little late on what most consider a basic hygiene activity. Also, how hairy and dark are they? Are they getting comments about their body hair? If they are self conscious about it I'd go ahead and teach them how.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 6, 2016 3:58:37 GMT
Dang, I would have been a Sasquatch by then! I didn't get my period until I was in high school. I think I started shaving my legs when I was maybe 12-13 but I had my older sisters around to show me the ropes. I think if they are asking about it, they are noticing it and maybe feeling self conscious about it so I would let them.
|
|
melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
|
Post by melissa on Mar 6, 2016 3:58:41 GMT
If they are asking, let them.
What's the harm? It's not like they are asking at 6 or 8. They are old enough, especially the 13 yr old.
Some children have significant hair BEFORE they have their periods. Remember that changes to body hair generally begin before menstruation. Personally, I didn't think my dd even needed to when she started (not that any needs to, this is a cultural thing!) Her hair was very blonde. I think she started at around age 12, not long before her first period.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Mar 6, 2016 4:00:19 GMT
Middle school. Dark hair is very noticeable and middle school kids are mean, so that is when she got the ok.
|
|
|
|
Post by just PEAchy on Mar 6, 2016 4:00:29 GMT
Since they are asking, I would definitely let them. My dd was in dance and she started when she had just turned 11-several years before her 1st period. Although, I'm not sure why you'd make that a requirement?
|
|
MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
|
Post by MaryMary on Mar 6, 2016 4:00:41 GMT
When they asked if they could. One was around 10, and she really did have quite hairy legs already.
|
|
|
|
Post by cherrie on Mar 6, 2016 4:02:19 GMT
My granddaughter has dark hair and had dark hairy legs and was embarrassed to swim so she was 9 or 10 years old when she started shaving.
|
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Mar 6, 2016 4:17:45 GMT
When they ask. My oldest didn't ask until she was exactly 13, and I gave her her the go-ahead as soon as she asked (she had not started her period). My mother pretty much made me start at 11. I'd say 11 and 13 are definitely old enough.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 6, 2016 4:21:48 GMT
I was 11 and I didn't ask, just started shaving.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
|
Post by katybee on Mar 6, 2016 4:23:28 GMT
I was 14. I had ninth row tickets to the Rick Springfield concert. And I didn't want him to see my hairy legs. True story.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:59:33 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 4:26:39 GMT
I let my youngest dd shave when she was 8, because she asked to. I knew that it was just a novelty and wanted to be able to supervise, not have her sneak and do it. She shaved once every 3 or 4 months until she turned 10. Now she shaves once or twice a month.
|
|
AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,059
|
Post by AllieC on Mar 6, 2016 4:26:55 GMT
I was 11 and I didn't ask, just started shaving. Same here. We didn't talk about anything puberty related when I was a kid so I pretty much had to sort it myself. My dd asked at about 11 so we went and got a good razor. I figure if she came to me to ask, I would much rather her continue to do that than feel she couldnt talk to me about other more important things that come up in the future. |
|
GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,298
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
|
Post by GiantsFan on Mar 6, 2016 4:35:59 GMT
I didn't ask. In fact I didn't even think to ask, I just started on my own. I got teased in middle school so I commandeered a disposable razor from the pack under the sink and used bar soap to lather. If I had to wait for my cycle to start, I would've been a gorilla.
|
|
Miss Cleo
Full Member
Posts: 137
Jun 27, 2014 2:58:47 GMT
|
Post by Miss Cleo on Mar 6, 2016 4:43:39 GMT
If they're asking, it's time. Probably past time.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:59:33 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 4:46:37 GMT
My daughter dances, I am sure she started shaving everything as soon as hair appeared. Hair poking though tights is not pretty.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:59:33 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 4:51:45 GMT
If they want to shave, I can't imagine saying they couldn't. It's their own body and appearance. What is the thought process behind denying them?
|
|
|
|
Post by lovinlife on Mar 6, 2016 5:16:21 GMT
My older dds were around 10 years old. They were self conscious about it so I let them. As for waiting for the 1st period...my oldest dd is 14 and just got hers last month for the first time. She would definitely not be the bubbly, outgoing , everyone's friend she is if I would have had her wait until last month. She would have been so embarrassed and would have constantly worried about how to hide the hair instead of being a teenager, she definitely wouldn't have become a cheerleader, etc....I asked her and that's what she told me just for a teen girls perspective.
|
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Mar 6, 2016 5:19:33 GMT
My daughter was about 12-13 when she asked - she had not started her period. I said sure. She probably shaved once or twice. She is very blonde, so I think it was more about experiencing what the other girls were talking about than actually feeling self conscious about the hair on her legs.
|
|
|
|
Post by JustCallMeMommy on Mar 6, 2016 5:42:59 GMT
I let DD when she was self-conscious about the hair - maybe 11 or 12? There are so many things to be self-conscious about as a teen that I figured this is an easy one she can fix. She isn't completely consistent, but neither am I.
|
|
paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
|
Post by paget on Mar 6, 2016 7:15:33 GMT
I'm trying to come up with reasons to make them wait and I got nothing. I just started on my own. My girls asked (can't remember when) and I gave them a razor and some tips. It's not really rocket science.
|
|
|
|
Post by lorieann13 on Mar 6, 2016 8:08:13 GMT
I was in 5th grade (10), and dd started in 7th grade (12). She started so oate because she has very light blond hair and it became thicker the summer before 7th and she asked.
I had thick dark leg hair and was teased so my mom allowed me.
|
|
|
|
Post by miominmio on Mar 6, 2016 8:34:21 GMT
My DD will be 10 in May, and so far, this hasn't been on her radar (and she has light blonde hair, so leg hairs won't be that visible anyway), but, when she wants to, I will let her start.
|
|
|
|
Post by gryroagain on Mar 6, 2016 8:49:16 GMT
My oldest doesn't shave anything but her bikini line if she is swimming, she thinks it's dumb. My youngest has super fair white skin and very dark hair (everywhere, poor thing is a Sasquatch) and asked when she had just turned 8 and other kids at gymnastics were remarking on it. She was the only non Asian kid,and the only one with body hair, and it's hard enough in that situation so I taught her to shave her legs since it made her feel better. She wages war on body hair with bleach, wax and shaving, but its her choice.
8 is young, yes, but I feel girls need autonomy over their bodies and should be allowed (in some in stances, I'm not talking body piercing) to decide those things for themselves. kind of like dressing themselves- it's their choice. It's just body hair, it grows back.
|
|
|
|
Post by katiejane on Mar 6, 2016 9:44:27 GMT
At 9. She was upset at being teased about her hair and it was a no brainer. My mum made me wait until I was 13 before she let me. I hated her at times for it and got teased by the other girls. No idea what she was thinking or why it was such a big deal to her that she was willing to have me put up with bitchy girl teasing or fight with me over it.
|
|
|
|
Post by smokeynspike on Mar 6, 2016 10:36:48 GMT
I think my daughter was about 10, maybe 11. I can't imagine putting a minimum age limit on shaving your legs.
Melissa
|
|
