This isn't strictly an AIBU, but posting for traffic as I need some mum advice and although I may get flamed, I reckon at the same time I might get some useful and honest responses!
I am the mum of a (just turned 8 year old). Just to give you an idea of her colouring and not to drip feed (it's relevant, I think) she is medium skinned, light brown hair and tans easily (despite lots of sun cream before anyone gets side tracked and gives me grief about that!). She has always had quite hairy legs and the hair seems fine but is dark brown. I've never been particularly concerned about it as all children are a bit hairy and I figured her colouring just made it slightly more noticeable (only slightly). I've never mentioned it. She has however mentioned it a few times over the past year or so, made a couple of comments about her hairs. Never anything to suggest it bothered her, more of a body exploration thing, if you see what I mean. However this morning she asked me how she got rid of the hair on her legs as she didn't like them. I told her it was fine and perfectly normal but she was clearly bothered about them. My daughter is strong and independent for her age and knowing her as I do, would only mention something if it truly bothered her. She does a lot of sport and often has her legs out, plus with the weather, is wearing dresses and short socks a lot. I don't think there is any issue at school with comments or anything like that, so her asking about this because she's being bullied isn't a consideration at all. She isn't going through early puberty (we checked as she started growing hair down below around age 6/7 and had a few spots on her cheeks that the GP said was childhood acne but not puberty). I guess my question is, has anyone had to deal with this? I absolutely do not want her to start shaving and in an ideal world would prefer her to leave body hair removal alone until she was at least early teens. But I also want her to be body confident and if having hairy legs makes her feel self conscious then I would be prepared to help her do something about it. For reference my parents were rubbish about stuff and I was the last girl to be allowed to get her ears pierced, wear a bra (despite being a very early developer) shave my legs (had to do it in secret) so I'm fully aware of how it feels to be self conscious and how it negatively it can impact on your confidence long term. I like to minimise the chances of my daughter ever feeling like that if possible (I know it'll happen as she gets older, but I want to lessen the impact IYSWIM). Has anyone got any suggestions? My considerations (and they're only considerations at this time) would be hair removal cream (which brand, how quickly does it grow back? What would regrowth be like), possibly waxing (according to internet waxing is big in USA for 8 year olds and above??!!) but how much would that hurt (I have it now and then but I have crazy high pain threshold so doesn't bother me), or possibly sugaring / those sandpapery type mitts that rub hair off? Because of my own self esteem / confidence, I've always been careful to promote a healthy body image to her and that she (and only she) choses what to do with own body (if you like leg/armpit hair then go for it!!! Personal choice is best!). Has anyway got any insight / experience/ suggestions please? Please don't flame me for considering this, I was slightly horrified about her being so young, but at the end of the day, her being confident in herself outweighs anything.