DD (8) wants to shave her legs.

[weestarry]

My DD is 8 and asked this morning to shave her legs. She’s going into p5 after summer and she’s the youngest in her class by quite a bit so some of the girls are almost a year older than her. She said this morning that she hates her hairy legs and that the other girls in her class don’t have hair like that. I’m not sure if she means they already shave their legs or that the girls she named are just fairer haired than she is. The hair has changed to become quite dark recently but it’s not noticeable unless you’re close up. I’m going to wait and see if she asks again and come to a decision then but is she too young? On the other hand, I really don’t want her to feel self conscious about wearing shorts or skirts when she goes back to school and I would obviously do it for her.

She is very young but it's good she's talking to you about how she feels. I would want to keep that communication going. I wouldn't dismiss her feelings.

You can reassure her that it's fine to have hair on your legs but I would also be open to helping her shave if she wants to. Then at least you know she's doing it properly with a sharp clean razor.

I think some hair removal cream might be safer at that age. It's good she has asked you. Yes body hair is normal and natural and in my 50s I don't give a fuck about it, but it's not up to individual 8 year olds to have to make a stand against misgyonistic beauty standards

Let her. It's horrible feeling self conscious about your body and shaving you legs isn't in any way harmful. Teach her how to do it properly, using hair conditioner as lubricant. That will avoid razor rash on sensitive skin.

My daughter was very young when she wanted to shave her legs - she had very dark hair, I did it for her and then I bought her a lady shaver. I felt she would probably do it anyway in secret and end up cutting herself.

Please let her. I had very dark hair and plenty of it at that age. Kids can be cruel. And I was self conscious. Using my dad’s razor in secret got me into some trouble! 🤣

Let her. I cut my leg using my dad's razor having seen what a fuss dm made when my older sister wanted to shave.

With my girls I let them when they asked and showed them what to do. One now almost never shaves and the other only does when she's going swimming or similar. The fact they knew they could when they wanted made a big difference.

I don't think there is any harm if she has brought it up. But I would wax or use cream at that age: she's too young to be dealing with blades and stubble and fine hair will easily dissolve with the cream. Both those alternatives will require less repeating than shaving as well, and tend to soften/weaken hair at the root.

My daughter is the same age and has said this, we used hair removal cream and I’ve shown her how to shave but told her she does not do it without me knowing. I speak from experience of parents who would not let me until I was much older and I got picked on loads.

Thank you so much for all your replies. I was definitely leaning more to letting her but I still have that voice of my own mum telling me I was too young in the back of my head (wonder when that goes?) I was so self conscious about my own leg hair when I was young and I’d hate for her to be the same. Thank you all very much for putting my mind at ease.

Another vote for hair removal cream. Its what DD used for the first few years and she was happy with that.

Veet do a spray can of hair removal, it is easy to use that might be better for her. I have never had any issues eg allergic reactions to hair removal cream. It is far better than shaving I reckon .The spray can remover is actually easier it just sems to start to dissolve. The major requirement is to follow the instructions either on the can or in the box if using cream. Sadly bullying can happen over any little difference so I do hope your DD is not being bullied.

Yes this
, although mine were in p5 when they started talking about it so 8/9. I let them in the better weather when they were wearing shorts, I think it is an age when girls start noticing things.

I bought a.wet/dry battery shaver from argos and showed them what to do, i didn't leave it in the bathroom until they were a bit olderbecause i remember i cut myself to bits using my dads !

I think hair removal cream is a brilliant tip. I don’t use it myself so I hadn’t even thought of that. She’s said no one at school has said anything but I know what kids are like and the bigger they get the more they’ll notice about each other and things might get said. She’s such a confident wee girl and I’d hate for that to be knocked out of her.

Just be guided by her if it isn't particularly bothering her don't rush in but let her know the options. Tesco used to do a sensitive skin hair removal cream one of mine used it in secondary school when she could do it herself,

Definitely let her and I’d tell her you’re going to let her ASAP, this might be weighing on her heavily.

Shave them for/with her until shes older but definitely let her be hair free if thats what shes asked.

THIS - while she's probably a bit young ideally, shaving with your help won't damage her at all. Shaving alone because you won't help her might physically hurt her, and not shaving, feeling self conscious or actually being teased for having hairy legs might mentally damage her for life.

Opposite view here. You're acknowledging her body isn't acceptable, and must be altered and groomed to please others. There is huge commercial pressure on children and their parents now, so it will be swiftly followed by skin products, make up, etc etc. Explain this clearly and tell her repeatedly she is fine and beautiful as she is, and that she can be herself.

Let her. These are good. Quick, clean, pain free. https://amzn.eu/d/06VbCJpo

That’s all very well but I have been 8 year old getting picked on.

I'd go with hair removal cream rather than shaving ,(memories of nicked ankles and the styptic pencil....). If it makes her happier, then it's worth doing.

For her to bring it up, it must be an issue, so I'd go with this one. You can address beauty standards later but if this is likely to stop short term bullying I'd do it.

I completely get that and I hate that she’s feeling like she wants to shave her perfect wee legs. In an ideal world I’d be able to make her see she’s perfect just as she is. However, I understand what it’s like to be self conscious, I was in her shoes. I didn’t want to wear shorts/skirts in summer and my mum still wouldn’t let me. I ended up cut to ribbons doing it myself so still couldn’t wear shorts incase I was found out. I want better for her. I am going to wait and see if she brings it up again though or if it’s just been a fleeting thought.

I am a bit surprised at the strength of the consensus here. 8 is v young and it is a bit of a leap to assume bullying, especially as the child has said not. Even if kids had said something, I'm not sure my instant reaction would be to encourage them to change their appearance. I think I'd go with the "everyone is different/body hair is normal" line for at least a little while to see if it's a persistent issue for her.