should 8yo shave armpits?

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My 8yo dd has got used to washing her armpits as they are a bit smelly. But she has quite a few noticeable hairs which she feels self conscious about. Now and then I'll cut some off for her with nail scissors, which seems to put her mind at rest. But am I being ridiculously in denial and should just shave them - as I do mine. Or is that putting ideas about the ideal women body ('hairless') into her head too young?

8 is very young to be getting armpit hair, I would prob bring her to the Dr.

I'm not sure it's puberty as such. I think it's just more noticeable as they are dark.

I wouldn't shave - how about a bit of veet every now and again.

I've taken dd1 to be waxed since she was 10 but 8 seems awful young for that, too.

Did your daughter ask to be waxed? I am a bit concerned about starting on this so young. I've started telling her about puberty, she's worried about public hair too, but then came home and told me that she's not worried now because her friend told her that grown ups just wax it all off! Not really the message I want to give a child who is concerned about growing up. Obv armpits are different. Or are they?

Armpits are on display in the summer as are legs. I'm brunette and my mother would never let me shave so I sweltered all summer in thick tights and long sleeves until. Was about 15. Don't let that happen.

We had a conversation about the waxing. She asked me for razors. I'm not keen on her having them because of cuts, leaving them around where her little sister could get them etc. I told her about waxing, told her it hurts but it's quick, and over time the hair gets weaker and doesn't grow back as much. She decided to try it and she's almost 14 now, she does admit it hurts but it's quick and I know she's been taken care of because I take her to a reputable salon.

It might not be the answer for your dd but please, don't let her be self conscious...

I would be open and honest with her about what you do - if she wants to shave show her how to safely. THeres nothing worse than wanting to and being to scared to or doing in secret.

But also a trip to GP is worthwhile. My DD (now 10) has just been signed off by the childrens hospital - she had fine pubic hair from about 7ish, was smelly, greasy hair and a few spots. No breast development - can be perfectly normal or can be a sign of other conditions. Like I said worth checking out.

DD has has pubic hair since age was six. She too was under a consultant for early onset puberty. She used to use Nair but just this month we decided she could shave.

Yes. I had a similar experience, was told needed to use cream on legs because at 13 was too young with razors. hated sitting in bathroom with smelly cream and scraping it off and taking ages. in end i thought 'hang on' she doesn't really know anyway and started shaving.

I may check out those roll-on ones they have now though. does seem silly if she's going to do it later to avoid embarrassment to say she has to go through that embarrassment now...

As soon as her 'friends' notice she will get teased, she will find a razor, yours or DHs and she will shave them.

You may as well show her how to do it safely.

Get her one of these OP, I had one when learning to shave and it's practically impossible to cut yourself.

I did it for her once there were too many to pluck - if you don't- or don't show her how to safely, she will do it herself - yikes

maybe a silky mit?

Just shave her in the bath. If you do it, it can be a 2 second job every couple of weeks - job done.

I second that if her friends notice then she will be teased. I don't think 8 is very young to start body hair. My dd started growing pubic hair about then I think. Bearing in mind that some girls start periods at 9 or 10 (and its not rare!).

Blimey, DS is rising 14 & only got pubes in last few months. He's a big lad & has been for yrs, too.