AIBU to consider shaving my 7-year-old’s legs after teasing?

I wouldn't shave but suggest using the sanding mitts - they're very gentle, you go round in circles with a soft touch. Obviously only for arms and legs.

I'm not a hairy person but for some reason as an early teen I had hairy knees and used this sort of thing.

Alida Hair Remover Mitt for Legs (3 Mitts) : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

My heart breaks for her, I am so angry at this boy for making her feel this way. There is nothing wrong or disgusting about a clean, healthy human body in its natural state of hairiness. It’s despicable that any child is making your child feel uncomfortable in her body.

I would definitely get the school involved, some PSE education is definitely needed for the whole class.

As to what to do - I’m torn. I was a very hairy little girl. I remember insisting on wearing trousers to school even on the hottest days age 7 and 8. It’s awful to feel ashamed of your body.

Her skin is likely to be very delicate, maybe an electric razor would be better? Or the creams (although they stink).

You know her best. Work on building her confidence and do whatever you need to, to keep her happy and in school.

That’s how bullies work ist it - rounding on one

id be talking to the school

being hairy ist wrong or dirty or masculine
upsetting someone because you don’t like their hair is wrong however

An electric shaver would be kinder to her skin than a razor.

7 is so young to be shaving and I really don't know what the answer is on that one. You are definitely doing the right thing in listening to your daughter and taking her concerns seriously. I was very hairy even facial hair which all became obvious at around 11/12. It plagued my teenage years i was so embarrassed and hated how I looked. I plucked up the courage to speak to my mum and got shut down straight away, got told not to be ridiculous and if I start removing hair it will only get worse. I had to wait until I had my own money to by hair removal products. Before that I was using my dads razor on dry skin (not a good move) whatever you decide your daughter is very lucky you have her back

It’s not just one boy. The op says that several of the girls in the class agreed with him.

Humans have the same density of hair follicles as chimps. The hair is just shorter and finer.
I went to an all-girls secondary school and lots of the girls had hairy legs. My own hairiness didn't worry me until I reached puberty and started growing a beard - I have PCOS.
(Personally I think all-girls schools are much better for giving girls confidence in themselves and their abilities.)

I think hair removal for a 7 year old should be the absolute last resort..

Is she actually hairy though? Or does she have the same kind of normal body hair it’s just darker than her peers?

It is a shame, but I can’t see the harm in being led by her, if she wants to shave or use removal cream. Even buying a Lumea Phillips or something like that.

I say this as the blonde girl who had hairy legs like a man at age 9 and I would wear jeans in 35 degrees I was so self conscious that I nicked my mums razor anyway and ended up cutting my legs to ribbons by mistake.

You can still work on body positivity and shave her legs.

I would also try to tackle it via school first.

But if you do shave, you might have to do it every day, are you prepared to do that? I have dark hair, and when I still shaved I had to shave every day in the morning as the stubble was very visible again after half a day. It's not a good solution for some women/girls. You could shave a small 1cm square on the hairiest bit of her leg first, and check it twice a day to see how many hours it takes before the regrowth is obvious. You or your daughter may decide against it if it will mean shaving every day.

I remember a boy at school laughing at hair I had. I removed it and they laughed at the fact I had done it. I don’t think shaving is a solution

I’m fair skinned with thick, dark, curly hair and still vividly remember being called “dirty” for having hairy legs in primary school.

Yes it would be nice if she wasn’t teased but meanwhile…in the real world we know it happens! I’d absolutely shave it for her if it’s what she wants.

I did say almost. Yours was the first post I'd read from someone hairy who had advocated waiting. I do agree 7 is very young though. Difficult to tell without knowing how noticeable the hair is.

No where did I give a view on whether I do or dont, or whether others should or shouldnt shave

But your blanket statement about how hairy women are seen, being nothing to do with what men or do dont think shows you are in denial about why its only/mainly women who have this 'I just dont like the way it feels' mentality.

I had to shave my arms too as kids called me werewolf. I ended up bleaching them for years after that.

No, I dont fit your theory. At this age, its about teaching her to how to manage boys like this

Later she can do what she likes. Most of us give in to what is seen as socially acceptable

I would not do it.
Firstly, I don’t think any girl should have to respond to remarks by a boy. Please tell the school. People should be taught respect.
Secondly, if you start to shave her legs then the hair will become blunt and will show more. You will have to keep it up. The hair should lighten in the summer.

I was a hairy child. I was teased at school for my hairy legs. Eventually I shaved them. And the same boy just switched to teasing me for having shaved.

(This was in secondary school. V sad to think of a seven year old facing this.)

I think that by shaving her legs you are saying that the teasers at school were right: her hairy legs are wrong and unacceptable.

It would be better to explain to her that the teasers are dicks (with whatever level of frankness suits you both!).

It doesn't sound like she is pleading with you to let her shave them. I think you are still at the stage where you can try to help her see that her legs are fine, rather than pushing her too soon towards the tyranny of having to suppress what is natural for her body.

Never shave eh arms though.

will look worse if she grows it back

This is a tough one.

first off I’d be trying to teach that so what? Help her get over the harsh comments. Thug her up and tell her how beautiful she is etc

rhen I’d be talking to the school

then I’d be helping her shave as a last resort

Though I can understand shaving her legs, I'd really have a good think about the arms because stubbly arms are going to be extremely noticeable

I wouldn’t shave because of the stubble but perhaps use a hair removal cream or consider laser treatment if the hair is really noticeable.

Yes she’s only seven, but I was around that age when other kids started noticing and commenting on my body hair. I have very pale skin and dark hair so it really shows. From a young age I would always wear trousers in the summer, or tights under a dress, no matter how hot I was. My mum wouldn’t let me shave. I was so embarrassed and never felt pretty. I longed to wear pretty dresses and sandals like the other girls but my hairy legs were so ugly to me and I had no self-confidence. I wish I’d been able to get rid of that hair a lot sooner than I did.

Nope. I said resilience and I’m hairy. I’d be all for it at 10 or 11, maybe even 9. But 7 is a different ball game.

You do you. Personally I just don't like the way it feels, nothing to do with what other males or females think!

@KatherineParr I see this as a school issue and it needs addressing