AIBU to let my nine year old shave her legs?

100% let her shave her legs!!! I had very pale legs and dark hairs that looking back weren’t even that bad, but my word they bothered me so much. I was so embarrassed about them. Even now 40 years on, I remember the feeling of trying to hide my legs in assembly during primary school when we all had to sit on the floor.

She’s probably going to remove the hair on her legs at some point - probably for the rest of her life - so what’s a few extra years if it makes her feel better. Do everything you can as her mum to send her out into the world with confidence.

My mum just didn’t understand, she’s hardly got a hair on her body and kept saying they were fine and I was too young etc. I eventually spoke to my dad about it and he bought me a lady shave (it was yellow and had pink buttons) and that wonderful man shaved my legs for me ❤️

My daughter now 12 has been using an electric shaver for a while now - I offered it too her just said let me know when and if you want too as I went through the same myself and my mum wouldn’t allow to shave etc and I was extremely dark and hairy, complete opposite to her so she don’t understand.

I also wouldn't consider waxing at that age. DD almost 17 wants to give it a go and I still discourage it.

As for shaving, why not? I agree an electric razor should be safer. Id explain to her it's legs only, not arms or anywhere else. Encourage her to share her body concerns means she'll continue to come to you with all sorts.

It might be a fad, if something else has tried it they may be talking in school.

My DD wanted a razor straight away, she was about 11 or 12. We took ages with foam and doing her legs together for the first few months. They have to learn and make decisions for them.

I did this. My daughter was self conscious at 10, pale skin and dark hair. I remembered how unsupportive my mum was, legs cut to ribbons like it sounds like happened to a few of you. I just bought an electric BB ladyshave and she’s used it happily with no issues. She’s 13 now and also gets her upper lip and eye brows waxed.
Home IPL with my Lumea doesn’t seem to have much in the way of results.
She’s much happier and self confident so that’s what matters not the opinions of others.

Could also look at home IPL

defo look into it maybe have a chat with a few places about it. it really helps slow down the growth. I could see it after a while patches were more sparse too and got more Time in between appointments

At the same age I bought my DD that sandpaper stuff you rub over your leg and it dissolves the hair- worked really well

She held my hand but was fine, and this from a child with a pretty low pain threshold!! I think at that age the hairs are so fine it doesn’t hurt so much and she really wanted to get it done.

Epilation would be better, you could schedule her for a wax the first few times and she could use an at home epilator after that. I had the same problem and started using it around the same age

I would allow it. I have thick dark hair and had hairy legs. I also went down the route of pinching my mums razor and cutting my legs to shreds. My 9 year old hasn't asked yet but she has dark hair as well and I don't think it'll be long.

Please explain why ? if your daughter came to you like op how would you deal with it then ? and how would you deal with it if you found her doing it in secret ?

your a lovely manmy- I wish I had a mammy like you as I was like your daughter with thick dark hair all over me. I was called all sorts of names.
Would you consider bringing her to get her wax instead though of shaving ? it's far better than shaving and you are reducing hair growth over time aswell? it might not be publicly advertised but it is done with parents consent. she will get longer out of it too. if she has heavy thick hair shaving could end up being an every day job
when she older then she can explore laser hair removal- best money I have ever spent

Yes it’s young but I would let my 9 year old remove the hair. It’s more important to take their feelings into consideration than take a stance. Try some cream or electric shaver which she’ll be able to use herself.
I can’t remember what are my girls were, I think they used one of my razors when they wanted to

I cut my legs to ribbons using my dad's razor i wasn't allowed either, like you I was in secondary and it was some girls from my p e class .

One of the few parenting fails I think my DM made was “banning” me from shaving my legs and underarms until I was 13. I was so embarrassed in school PE. I only have a DS but I always told myself if I had a DD I’d help her shave her legs whenever she wanted to!

My other dd was 11-12 but she has lighter hair.

Then she'll do it anyway to avoid being bullied, cut herself, and resent the hell out of you.

Puberty happens at a young age. Nothing about 'encouraging', hairfree legs are a social norm for women.

Love the username, I agree it's a dent in confidence that's easily helped by removing the hair .

@HeadingforaHundredwhy?

On this point

Yes it’s normal but it’s not their normal, often increased body hair is a new development as puberty starts and progresses and that change is difficult.

So I support removal if it’s what they want. They have enough changes to go through that they can’t control.

YANBU. It's great that you are helping and supporting her. I helped my dd; my mother helped me.

Could you help your daughter to use a hair removal cream?

The problem is whether it's allowed or not she will find a way to do it if it's bothering her