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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask at what age did you allow your DD to

106 replies

slightlyunbalanced · 22/05/2011 19:26

shave her legs?

My DD is 11 nearly 12 (youngest in her year) and she is about the only one who doesn't, her legs are really hairy (although she is blonde) and she says she feels conscious when she wears a skirt and bare legs.

I can't see any harm in letting her (with removal cream?).

AIBU?

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 22/05/2011 22:07

I don't think I would.

I would encourage her to have them waxed instead. Shaving is a daily commitment and makes the hair grow back stubbly. Waxing can be a bit painful to start with but not too bad on the legs and then you don't have to worry for 6 weeks or more.

seeker · 22/05/2011 22:14

I don;t think it;s a matter of "allowing". Why would you stop them? And, come to that, how woudl you stop them?

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 22/05/2011 22:28

I bought my dds a similar product to this www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=productsearch&cd=1&ved=0CF8QgwgwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.novadetox.co.uk%2Facatalog%2Fhair-removal-pads.html%3Fsource%3Dgoogleps&rct=j&q=hair%20removal%20pads&tbm=shop&ei=BHvZTa2KL8Or8AOZtomEBQ&usg=AFQjCNHeycjYcCDCIw3_oSPVLBOvFZ48RQ&cad=rja when they first expressed a desire to have non-furry legs.

I seem to recall that this was around the time they transferred to senior school at 11 years old.

As my dds are blondes these puffs served their purpose for a year or two, after which I bought each of them the same make of epilator that I use.

We're not particulary hirsute but none of us can be persuaded to grow hairs on our legs long enough for waxing to be effective.

strawberrymewmew · 22/05/2011 22:40

I have skipped past the couple of pages of posts so apologies if I am just repeating what has already been said.

I think the best way to go from here would maybe be taking her to a salon for a wax. I started shaving my legs young and I am also blonde but I now wish I had just waxed or epilated from the start.

Vallhala · 22/05/2011 22:46

Beesimo, that's an education (Southerner from an average non Romany family living in "brick" here!}. Thanks for sharing it. :)

Didn't cotton on to the Romany links but can tell you're a Northerner... all this talk of Mam and lasses gives you away!

cat64 · 22/05/2011 23:19

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Onceamai · 23/05/2011 00:09

DD is 12. We did her armpits for the first time when she was 10. Legs are OK not too hairy at all and very blonde. They need to do it as soon as they become self conscious about it and we need to encourage them to do it as soon as it becomes unsightly. That's what mums do - encourage dc to put their best foot forward.

MrsMilton · 23/05/2011 10:56

Let her do it. My mum was always weird about stuff like this. She never told me about periods or sex and was totally against the idea of shaving legs - easy for her, she is blonde and her leg hair isn't very noticeable but I am dark and hairy and was from a young age. I had very hairy legs and once I got to secondary school was so self-conscious about having to wear a little gym skirt at games. And I did get picked on for it which is just so mortifying for a young girl. Eventually I bought a razor in secret and shaved them - DRY - in my bedroom under the covers. My legs were bright red for days and so sore. I really resent that my mum wasn't more open and helpful about girl stuff and have vowed that if I ever have a daughter I'll be much more up front about it all.

LucretiaInShadows · 23/05/2011 11:45

PLEASE let her do it! I'm another one who wasn't allowed until 14 and got picked on for being hairy. Even close friends who didn't pick on me have said since that it was very noticeable and they felt sorry for me.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 23/05/2011 12:11

yesterday I made a random comment that my legs were getting a bit hairy and I needed to sort them out. dd is 11. Her very genuine and puzzled reaction was 'Why?'
I wonder if and when peer pressure will kick in on that one...

Ishani · 23/05/2011 12:20

I shall be taking DD for a joint waxing next weekend she's coming up 11 and quite dark haired so it won't do any harm and hopefully it'll put her off the whole palava for a while.

cheesesarnie · 23/05/2011 12:32

i cant imagine not letting her.my dd's only 11 and its not come up yet but i hope like my parents its not an issue.

cat64 · 23/05/2011 14:23

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Bonsoir · 23/05/2011 14:28

"letting children be children" is not about preventing children from taking the next step towards adulthood because you want to baby them.

cheesesarnie · 23/05/2011 14:30

so cat,do you shave/wax your legs?

they are children but theyre becomming adults-hence body changing.

Asinine · 23/05/2011 14:32

My DD wanted to shave her legs in year 6. I gave her a demo with a razor. She does underarms too, but afaik not fee fee Grin

shockers · 23/05/2011 14:39

I lightly shaved DD's legs on Sunday. She hadn't asked but has mentioned how hairy they are. She said that this had been pointed out at school too. She is 12 and has LD. She also has very prominent front teeth which have been commented on by other children. I just didn't want anyone to say anything to her when she was wearing her new dress... she was so proud of it.

Jas · 23/05/2011 14:44

DD1 will be 12 in a couple of weeks. She has just started using cream on her legs. Thankyou Izzy for that link. I think they would be useful for her at the moment. Smile

Sylvaniasandwich · 23/05/2011 14:48

One of the worst arguments I had with my mum as a teenager was when she discovered I was shaving my thighs as well as lower legs. She insisted that I shouldn't, and got really really angry with me when I said I was going to carry on. I am still not sure why she got so furious but remember thinking it was bizarre because it was after all my body not hers! Think I will have to remember this when DD is a preteen! She already hates the bit of hair on her shins (6 years) but hasn't suggested shaving yet.

Dancergirl · 23/05/2011 14:52

cat64 - I see your point and I don't like seeing children growing up too fast either. BUT there is a difference between removing body hair (out of necessity) and wearing make up at a young age for example.

I wouldn't want my daughter to be teased about having hairy legs when there is something you can do about it, would you?

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 23/05/2011 14:53

I'd let a young girl shave her legs if it mattered to her, but waxing is actual torture. I am a big fan of bic disposables.

ExitPursuedByAKitten · 23/05/2011 14:58

Crap mother calling. DD 11 started shaving her armpits unbeknown to me. And then last week told me she had shaved her legs. Why? She has very pale hair. And I don't shave mine. If I am off to foreign climes I might have a wax - but I really don't think it is necessary to remove pale hairs from legs. Or is that just me then?

cat64 · 23/05/2011 15:03

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Dancergirl · 23/05/2011 15:09

Nice theory cat64, good luck with that one.... Hmm

Clearly you've never had a child being teased about an aspect of their appearance....

cat64 · 23/05/2011 15:11

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