Parrothead Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Dd will be 12 in the very near future. Puberty has reared its ugly head, but the some things are happening slower than others. It sounds strange to my old fashioned ears to hear myself say I let my dd shave at age 11. But, she truly needs to shave legs and pits. There isn't any sense making her wait until a magical age of 13, right? It is such a strange time. She still plays with dolls and toys, yet her body is moving forward - just marching right along whether she wants it to or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I would let her if she wants to. My oldest has a lot of leg and pit hair, but she's so fair it's almost invisible, so it will be a long while yet before I let her. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Yup. Diva is 13 next month. She's had her period for over a year. :svengo:Wearing a bra for close to 2 yrs. There are some things that age restrictions really just aren't applicable, and issues surrounding puberty are one of them, imo. Of course, I'd have loved the ability to tell her body, "No, you may not grow bOOks until after you're 13! And none of that menstrating nonsense either!" but alas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 If she feels self conscious about it, I would. Otherwise I'd just let her be hairy. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Absolutely. There are certain things that I'd wait on until 13 but hair removal isn't one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I don't think 11 is particularly young for shaving. And if she's in any way self-conscious, absolutely let her go for it. You could get her an electric shaver if you think she's too young to deal with razors, though I think most 11yos can learn to manage. (BTW, I think the Venus razors are far less likely to cause accidental cuts than many of the others out there.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 1, 2011 Author Share Posted October 1, 2011 This is almost shocking how much hair her legs developed over the summer. Used to be she had minimal blond hair that pretty much stayed rubbed off with all the playing she did. Now it is long and dark and fur-like. She wants it gone, but at the same time she sees shaving as one more step toward growing up -which she is loathe to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Of course, I'd have loved the ability to tell her body, "No, you may not grow bOOks until after you're 13! And none of that menstrating nonsense either!" but alas... Speaking as someone who started growing b00ks at 9 and was a 34B by 11, :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I agree. If she needs to shave, she needs to shave. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 yup, I taught my 10 yo to shave because it was necessary as she was on swim team, modesty issues here. Make it a fun shaving party. It was a good memory for her. I had different kinds of foam (Dad's, Mom's and a regular bar of soap) for her to try and a razor that has those wires over the blade to minimize cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Yes, I agree need outweighs age. Dd started with Veet (the scrape-away leg dipilatory) at around 11. Since she dances a few other things started early (around 11 years old) like contact lenses, eyebrow waxing, and regular mani-pedis. She'd ask, I'd weigh the pros and cons and figured if it makes her feel better and it's not harmful, why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessedmom4god Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 My oldest dd started shaving this year. My almost 10 yo dd really needs too, but she doesn't want to yet. Hers is long but not dark yet, more of a brown color. My oldest also inherited my need to remove upper lip hair. I have been using nair to remove it for her for a couple years now.:001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Dd will be 12 in the very near future. Puberty has reared its ugly head, but the some things are happening slower than others. It sounds strange to my old fashioned ears to hear myself say I let my dd shave at age 11. But, she truly needs to shave legs and pits. There isn't any sense making her wait until a magical age of 13, right? It is such a strange time. She still plays with dolls and toys, yet her body is moving forward - just marching right along whether she wants it to or not. Oh, I hear your pain!:crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 My mom played by the numbers. I have some Native American blood. I have lots of hair. Dark Brown Hair. And I was not allowed to shave until I was 13. The hair on my legs was horrendous. Even as an adult, looking back, it was horrendous. It was at least an inch long, if memory serves me right, closer to 2. And it was brown. I flat out refused to wear skirts (and we were Baptist...Skirts required for church!). It was a horrible, unnecessary power struggle. My 2 girls are Asian. My 7 yr old will probably be bleaching her lip by the time she's 12. They will probably both be late developing BooKs. But Dh and I have already decided that whether needed or not, they will have BooKshelves by the time they are 11 1/2, so they don't feel the pain of being late, quite as bad. And shaving their legs. Whenever they feel the need. It is NOT a hill to die on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I agree. If she needs to shave, she needs to shave. :grouphug: :iagree:My dd started shaving at 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 1, 2011 Author Share Posted October 1, 2011 Thanks everyone. The deed is done and she says she feel pretty good. She was mostly scared she would cut herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeTea Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 It is such a strange time. She still plays with dolls and toys, yet her body is moving forward - just marching right along whether she wants it to or not. Yes, it's a strange and wonderful time! My girl is newly 13. Before she went to camp for the first time - she was not quite 11 that year - I suggested she may want to shave her pits. She had quite a blond beard going under her arms. She declined, and that was that until she got home from camp. Then she asked for a shaving lesson. Legs waited at least another year (her choice). So did menses. In the meantime she was prepared. ;) In her purse she inherited from her big sister, she carried a supply of pads right next to her swiss army knife and hot wheels cars, because you just never know what the day may have in store, you know. I think those original pads had to be replaced a few times because they got dirt on them long before they were needed for their intended purpose. Just now she headed outside by herself to get in some sword practice. It's a stick she carved, and she made her sheath out of duct tape. The boys her age are happy to play that game with her. The girls? I don't think she bothers to show them what she's made. I think 13 is wonderful. They each have their own timeline, that's for sure. Enjoy the ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 My dd is 12 and I offered her the option to shave about a year ago. She's blonde and so it's not particularly visible yet, not enough to make her want to shave. It's not coarse/thick enough for me to really encourage her to shave, so we're in a holding pattern for the moment, but if she wanted to, I'd let her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grover Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 My mom played by the numbers. I have some Native American blood. I have lots of hair. Dark Brown Hair. And I was not allowed to shave until I was 13. The hair on my legs was horrendous. Even as an adult, looking back, it was horrendous. It was at least an inch long, if memory serves me right, closer to 2. And it was brown. I flat out refused to wear skirts (and we were Baptist...Skirts required for church!). It was a horrible, unnecessary power struggle. . :iagree: this was my mother too. Years of unnecessary teasing and body image issues just because she had a number in her head. If they need it, let them do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 dd11 started to shave this year, too. She will be 12 in November. She and dd8 are all dressed up today and playing nurse to me. Yesterday she drew a bunch of pictures, put them on display, then opened her "museum" up to the public, knowing no "real" people would see her artwork. :lol: Her favorite is to push her rooster or chickens around in a stroller.:lol: she still enjoys being a little girl, but she wants to be a little girl with boobs.:confused::smilielol5::smilielol5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Physical development can't be stopped, and if she's self-conscious about it, then I'd absolutely let her do it. My girls ranged in age as far as development. One began her periods at age 10, another at age 14. My 10-year old developed earlier on many fronts (even before her older sister). That's just the way it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Thanks everyone. The deed is done and she says she feel pretty good. She was mostly scared she would cut herself. If you're not opposed to or allergic to depilatory creams, they are very easy to use and no chance of cutting. I also think the results last a little longer than shaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 If your DD NEEDs to shave, let her shave. I agree with you. Why wait if it's something that could affect her self-confidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 ear piercing age was hard and fast. shaving was when they felt the need, as it is dependent upon physical development - and my girls varied widely in that dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azmomx3 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I agree, need based is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I don't believe in waiting until kids are a certain age to start shaving legs or armpits. When my oldest dd had an interest in doing so, I showed her how. The same will go for my youngest dd. If the hair is a matter of concern for my dd's, they are welcome to get rid of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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