Not sure if I have done the right thing for DD

[MollysMummy2010]

My daughter is 8.5 and I have let her shave her legs tonight.

I feel so torn. It was not my suggestion - she asked how she could get rid of the hair. She hasn't wanted to wear shorts or skirts even when it
has been so hot.

I bought her a Ladyshave and showed her how to use it. I feel like I have lost my little girl.

It seems so young and I almost losing her childhood (FFS I started my periods at 9 so I know I am being pathetic but I feel sad!

She was rather hairy, but blonde, and she is delighted.

You havnt lost her you have supported her!

My dd shaved her legs at 7 and I showed her how as I was teased at school for having hairy legs at 11. Mum was hopeless at that stuff.

Good for you op. Keep listening to your dd. It’s womdeful.

I had coctails with my pair last week. My birthday treat...I paid

Although she is quite young, if she was self-conscious enough that it was affecting her even seeing comfortable clothes in hot weather, then you've absolutely done the right thing. I wore thick tights all year round in high school as my legs were so hairy and my mum wouldn't let me shave them. Was so uncomfortable.

You sound like a lovely mum and have absolutely done the right thing.
You said she is delighted--that says it all.
Hopefully your daughter will now feel confident to wear shorts and skirts again and enjoy the summer.

To this day I cannot understand why my mother didn’t let me shave my legs!

I did of course girls do but I used dads razor and cut myself to ribbons.

Love to ask her but she’s got Altzimers

Vowed never ever would my kids especially my girls put up with crap like that

It's fine. You did the right thing.

Thank you all - I just don't want her to be teased and (never ever said to her) but she is quite hairy. Girls can be so brutal and she raised it herself. Even her dad had noticed and he has said I have done the right thing and he normally lives in a cave.
But it is my baby!!

And you have helped your baby! End of.

My girls are hairy too! Not sure they have any bodily hair left to be honest but at 18/19 not sure

Ohmydays - I still have a scar up my leg from using my dads "safety razor" when he left it on the side and I tried to copy my mum (may have been five). At least if I show my daughter how to do it properly she won't have that!
Meant to be 27 degrees here tomorrow so my girl can get her legs out!
Thanks all for the kind words - so hard when they are so small to realise that they are not babies anymore..

I think you did the right thing. My DDs asked about this much younger than it had ever been on my teenage radar but they were growing up in a different era and had inherited very coarse dark body hair from their dad’s side.
If they are old enough to be bothered by body hair they are old enough to do something about it.

when she was 14 or 15 after having to do PE in her bra and knickers when she didn't have her PE kit
What?

It is a loss, because she's not a baby anymore. But it was her choice. Shaving is one of those things over which I don't get particularly fussed. When done properly it's not dangerous, and I feel it's a personal choice. (Some cultures, for example, don't shave their legs.) My DSD is 13 and she's been shaving for a few months now. She wanted to start, so we let her.

Don’t engage, tillytown...

You haven’t lost her Molly quite the opposite.

You listened to her concerns, addressed them thoughtfully and supported her.

These early experiences are going to mean that she is far more likely to keep coming to you for advice and support as she advances through her teenage years.

She’s growing up. That’s what she’s meant to do.