Too soon to shave legs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m fighting the makeup battle with my 5th grader all year, as a lot of her friends are somehow allowed. Our rule is lip gloss only until middle school- 7th grade.

On the other hand, shaving doesn’t bother me, I asked my Mom when I was 10 and that’s when my daughter asked me. Although now that she has access to a razor, she started shaving her arms too- which I think it unnecessary and silly, but it makes her happy. At the end of the day, it’s just hair removal.

I’m a mom who allows makeup. It’s because I think a lot of these limits are about punishing girls for sexuality. I don’t want to do that, a, and b I think it’s often not even what they’re going for. So much of what looks like sexual expression for tween girls is really about intra female (hetero) social stuff or even more innocent individual identity exploration. Basically I don’t have a good defense for my own discomfort with it. I think banning it would just be putting my own shiz on her. So that’s why I don’t ban it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 12-year old daughter keeps insisting on shaving her legs and I strongly feel she’s too young. Although she started shaving her armpits earlier this year (she had a good reason too); I just don’t know if shaving her legs now is too young for her. The reason why I think it’s too soon for that is because just about every week she wants to do something new, wear makeup, etc., thus, pushing her limits with me. She’s not allowed to wear makeup, but on special occasions she can wear lip gloss. Am I overreacting with this new shaving of her legs request?

Am I not ready for her to grow up, of course not!!! So I know it has to do with my inner self accepting that she’s becoming a teenager, but at the same time I feel that this new generation is doing everything much earlier that we did back in the day.

Please no judgement here and looking for some honest feedback and opinions.

I asked my mom to shave when I was 12 back in the early 90's. My mom wouldn't let me "because my hair would grow back thicker and faster." I then asked my pediatrician directly in front of my mom who dispelled the old wives' tale. I was allowed to shave after that (she said to the knee only, but I ignored her - please don't do this, it looks so weird!).

All the other girls were already shaving at that point and I was getting made fun of for hairy legs.

This doesn't happen anymore. Many girls do not shave their legs at all or are very inconsistent about it. It is not as big of a deal as it was in the 80/90's.

[Anonymous]

My mom also told me I was too young at 12, so I just started doing it privately and secretly. Kind of stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 12-year old daughter keeps insisting on shaving her legs and I strongly feel she’s too young. Although she started shaving her armpits earlier this year (she had a good reason too); I just don’t know if shaving her legs now is too young for her. The reason why I think it’s too soon for that is because just about every week she wants to do something new, wear makeup, etc., thus, pushing her limits with me. She’s not allowed to wear makeup, but on special occasions she can wear lip gloss. Am I overreacting with this new shaving of her legs request?

Am I not ready for her to grow up, of course not!!! So I know it has to do with my inner self accepting that she’s becoming a teenager, but at the same time I feel that this new generation is doing everything much earlier that we did back in the day.

Please no judgement here and looking for some honest feedback and opinions.

I asked my mom to shave when I was 12 back in the early 90's. My mom wouldn't let me "because my hair would grow back thicker and faster." I then asked my pediatrician directly in front of my mom who dispelled the old wives' tale. I was allowed to shave after that (she said to the knee only, but I ignored her - please don't do this, it looks so weird!).

All the other girls were already shaving at that point and I was getting made fun of for hairy legs.

This doesn't happen anymore. Many girls do not shave their legs at all or are very inconsistent about it. It is not as big of a deal as it was in the 80/90's.

But it is for OP’s kid or she wouldn’t have asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom also told me I was too young at 12, so I just started doing it privately and secretly. Kind of stressful.

I tried this and gave myself a seriously massive cut (and resultant scar) down my shin.

[Anonymous]

I am still mad at my mom for not letting me shave when I was 11. My hair was SO dark and kids are SO mean. Let her do what she wants to do to feel confident!

[Anonymous]

I’m a mom who allows makeup. It’s because I think a lot of these limits are about punishing girls for sexuality. I don’t want to do that, a, and b I think it’s often not even what they’re going for. So much of what looks like sexual expression for tween girls is really about intra female (hetero) social stuff or even more innocent individual identity exploration. Basically I don’t have a good defense for my own discomfort with it. I think banning it would just be putting my own shiz on her. So that’s why I don’t ban it.

I'm like-minded to the above. DD does dance and gets to really go crazy with the makeup for performances. She does light makeup otherwise on occasion. She asked to shave her legs when she was 12.5 and I realized I was a bit behind. I think I started when I was 11! She started off with an electric razor for women that one of her friends recommended. Perfect!

[Anonymous]

PP here - sorry the first paragraph above was supposed to be in quotes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I’m a mom who allows makeup. It’s because I think a lot of these limits are about punishing girls for sexuality. I don’t want to do that, a, and b I think it’s often not even what they’re going for. So much of what looks like sexual expression for tween girls is really about intra female (hetero) social stuff or even more innocent individual identity exploration. Basically I don’t have a good defense for my own discomfort with it. I think banning it would just be putting my own shiz on her. So that’s why I don’t ban it.

I'm like-minded to the above. DD does dance and gets to really go crazy with the makeup for performances. She does light makeup otherwise on occasion. She asked to shave her legs when she was 12.5 and I realized I was a bit behind. I think I started when I was 11! She started off with an electric razor for women that one of her friends recommended. Perfect!

Can you recommend which razor was used?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twelve is fine for shaving. I am a ginger. The hair on my legs is blonde and virtually undetectable. My friends growing up were all dark haired, dark skinned and started hair removal around 12 so I started it then, too.

I had a strawberry blonde DD who wanted to shave her sparse, practically invisible hair at that age too. I gave her a lesson and encouraged her to try just a small patch first to see what it felt like when the sharp ends grew in and be sure she wanted to do it. After trying it out she decided it was not for her and she never shaves at all. I’m very pro on letting them decide for themselves as long as they can safely mange it if they do want to shave.

[Anonymous]

Here's the electric razor:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K3FFIOA?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 12-year old daughter keeps insisting on shaving her legs and I strongly feel she’s too young. Although she started shaving her armpits earlier this year (she had a good reason too); I just don’t know if shaving her legs now is too young for her. The reason why I think it’s too soon for that is because just about every week she wants to do something new, wear makeup, etc., thus, pushing her limits with me. She’s not allowed to wear makeup, but on special occasions she can wear lip gloss. Am I overreacting with this new shaving of her legs request?

Am I not ready for her to grow up, of course not!!! So I know it has to do with my inner self accepting that she’s becoming a teenager, but at the same time I feel that this new generation is doing everything much earlier that we did back in the day.

Please no judgement here and looking for some honest feedback and opinions.

I asked my mom to shave when I was 12 back in the early 90's. My mom wouldn't let me "because my hair would grow back thicker and faster." I then asked my pediatrician directly in front of my mom who dispelled the old wives' tale. I was allowed to shave after that (she said to the knee only, but I ignored her - please don't do this, it looks so weird!).

All the other girls were already shaving at that point and I was getting made fun of for hairy legs.

This doesn't happen anymore. Many girls do not shave their legs at all or are very inconsistent about it. It is not as big of a deal as it was in the 80/90's.

What fantasy world do you live in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom also told me I was too young at 12, so I just started doing it privately and secretly. Kind of stressful.

I tried this and gave myself a seriously massive cut (and resultant scar) down my shin.

Straight razors certainly have a learning curve. I use one for a while just for fun, but you have to keep it razor sharp and oiled and is a lot of upkeep on the razor more than your legs!

[Anonymous]

Most girls don’t shave their legs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most girls don’t shave their legs