to show my daughter how to shave her legs

[gordyslovesheep]

genuinely not sure here and open to AIBU wet fish and general 'being put rightness'

DD1 is 11 in Oct and has started being very self conscious about her leg hairs. She is blond but they are blond and quiet dark brown and long

she refuses to wear skirts etc and has asked me to show her how to shave them

So part of me says 'she's asked, it's bothering her, show her' and the other part says SHE'S TEN

I offered to pay for them to be waxed (less chance of severing a vein) but she wants to shave them

I'm going to have to bite the bullet aren't I?

I'd buy her something where she can't cut herself if you're worried!

Thanks Kali110 - Harry I agree but she wanted to shave - lord knows why and we did discuss it I put various bribes arguments for ward for VEET and waxing ... but it was not to be

oh Penguin I did - an electric razor - it's fool proof and she loved it x

Can't believe some of the women on here think waxing is more painful than childbirth! I wax my own legs, bikini line and armpits at home it's really not a big issue

That's fair enough Gordy, I was the same at that age, I kick myself now of course
Plus I wouldn't have half the clumsy shaving scars now if I had waxed. An electric shaver was a good idea

*Don't be sorry mrsJay - it made me a bit

My daughters - I have 3 - are being brought up by a feminist mother but not a dictator - we discuss issues but I wont force them to conform to any ideal - including a hairy feminist one

she's happy - that's all that matters - this! and she is grin*

being happy in their skin with or without leg hair is all that matters I also have the same conversations with my own dds ,and it is their choice on things not what they feel pressured to do, or not

I sneakily showed my 13yr old sister how to shave while my DM was getting married abroad. Shaved one leg for her and veet-ed the other so she could make an informed choice, then bought her the razor with the moisturiser round it, spare blades, and shaving gel and made her promise to always use them.
Cue the reception a week later, DSis had left her new 'shaving kit' at home so just used the freebie razor in the hotel bathroom. She came down for photographs in her dress with 7 plasters on her legs and blood stains on her tights. DM STILL hasn't forgiven me! Bless her though, DSis was SO hairy and getting serious flack at school for it!

yanbu I used to slash my legs to bits by accident

I wish my mum had shown me what to do instead of feeding me doom and gloom about "once you start you won't be able to stop". Er...no because it feels nice and smooth and its okay to like my legs better smooth. A few tips on make up would have been nice too.

Teach her.

My mum never taught me, I just never showed my legs and wore jeans or tights all through my twenties.

A few years ago on Big Brother if you watched the rolling coverage during the day you got to see people doing all manner of boring everyday stuff. One time a woman was shaving her legs. I watched closely how she was doing it, bought some razors and shaving foam and taught myself.

I'm probably doing it wrong cos I do end up with razor cuts sometimes but what choice did I have? Feminist mother opposed to teaching how to shave so I learnt from Big Brother.

I would buy her an epilator. Lasts longer, less chance of blood. My mum bought me one when I was 12 and I used it for about 10 years (until I had money for a better one)....

You're right. 'Banning' shaving would be utterly nonsensical and counterproductive, which is why I didn't advocate it. I am just wondering when if anyone else feels as conflicted by shaving as I do. I fundamentally baulk at being told that I need to do something, without question, in order to conform to societal norms. And i don't think for a second that children are legitimate political pawns.

BUT... in other societies in Europe body hair on women is NORMAL.

Personally, I wouldn't show her how to shave but I would buy her an epilator or take her to get them waxed. Shaving will only make the re growth more obvious and make her more self conscious. If there's one thing I wish my mum had told me it's "never shave your legs" !

Harry i dont understand how waxing and epilating legs are more painful than childbirth!tho you are more brave than me, i tried waxing my armpit, never again! Bikini line no problem. Strange thing is i find epilating my arms soooo painful.