Tween Issue: She Wants to Shave Her Legs

on January 21, 2009 at 4:17 PM

mature, tweens, beauty When it comes to their tween (9-12 year old) daughters, I've heard so many mothers talk about feeling caught up in a web of emotion. Theirs and their daughters'. So the story goes, hormones start to course through her body--and your house.

Unpredicatable angry or sad feelings, a new self-awareness, a sudden interest in boys, any number of things can keep tween girls on edge--and their exasperated moms right along with them.

Of course, because mothers remember girlhood--and all the thrills, joys and weird confusion that came a long with it--many of them empathize with their growing goddesses. Moms know the seriousness of cramps and crushes and...hairy legs? Yup, somewhere a mom is remembering the time, and feeling sorry for her hairy-legged, pre-teen daughter. So the question is:

If you had hairy legs as a girl yourself, and hated them, would let your 9-year-old daughter shave hers? Or is that just too young? For more on this topic and many other related to tween girls, apply to the private group Moms of Pre-Teen Daughters.

Filed Under: middle school, puberty, tweens

Comments (53)

SteeleMommasita

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:19 PM

That would depend on the hairy legs. My daughter just turned 10 and the hair on her legs is still really blonde and fine. She doesn't need to yet and she isn't asking. My other daughter was 11 when she started and it was because she HAD to. She had started getting the course black hairs and it was embarrassing. So I think whenever it is necessary whether it is 9 or 16.

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kfroz0415

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:22 PM

My legs were so hairy that my mom started letting me shave earlier than most of my friends... I cannot remember the exact age but I think it was 4th or 5th grade... Right about the same time that I HAD (not wanted to HAD to) to start wearing a bra. I think if I have a daughter and her legs are as bad as mine were (can get while pregnant lol) I would let her use nair (or a similar product) at nine and a razor at age 10 or 11.

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:23 PM

By bad I mean the hair on my legs was not only dark dark black it was LONG and thick... I can remember being embarassed to wear shorts, capris, or dresses as young as 4th grade...

summerray5

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:44 PM

Yes I would and I'd teach her how to shave her legs by watching me demonstrate if need be.I want her to feel good about her self and take care to groom herself.

LibraryLady200

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:48 PM

I let mine use Nair instead of shaving.

BelliesMami

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:51 PM

I think people sometimes correlate shaving of the legs with something sexual. People assume the girl is doing it to appear more mature and/or attractive to the opposite sex. This is often why parents fear allowing their daughters to do this. I personally think that mentality is ridiculous! If my daughter is embarrassed I see no good reason not to allow it-whether she's 9 or 13. I will show her how and explain to her that this is part of growing up and taking care of herself. Like an above poster mentioned I want her to feel good about herself.

mama_lessy

on Jan 21, 2009 at 5:58 PM

well I remember well that my mother told me once I started I had to do it all the time! So I said I would wait. I was 11 before I started! And I was blonde so it wasnt like you could SEE the hair anyways, now I wish I wouldnt have started EVER! LOL!!!!

Tbones_Mom

on Jan 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM

My daughter shaves only because she does gymnastics and for competitions. She turns 13 this May. HELP !!

ediedawn

on Jan 21, 2009 at 6:06 PM

I started Shavin whe I went into Jr high school or middle school. My daughter is 12 and she just started shaving last week. I feel it is up to the parents discretion. Yet IMO 9 is too young.

summerm

on Jan 21, 2009 at 6:26 PM

I let my daughter whos 10 shave...well nair, she was self conscience of the long dark hair on her legs, no one said anything to her, it was just bothering her.