Very hairy legs on 7 year old DD and she's upset about it.

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old DD has come to me a few times over the past few months very upset about how hairy her legs are and that kids are making fun of her. I noticed about a year ago that she had very dark, hairy legs. I was actually a tiny bit worried about it a year ago but never said anything to her. My worry isn't that she has hairy legs. That's nature and I want her to be happy with herself. But she's now coming to me crying about it. Kids are making fun of her for it. In a perfect world I wouldn't even address body hair until closer to middle school. I've been telling her we're all made differently and it's perfectly normal. I've never brought it up to her and have only talked to her about it if she brings it up to me. But last night she was distraught about it. I told her it was getting cold so she can wear pants and not worry about it for now. But I told her we could talk about it again when it got warmer and figure out what to do then. What would you do? It seems outrageously early to start shaving her legs. But I also don't want her to be ashamed of herself.

[Anonymous]

Just let her shave. Show her how. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I had this problem with my nine year old. The solution for us is to wear tights or capris under skirts and shorts. Alternatively, we purchased maxi dresses for the warmer months.

[Anonymous]

I would help her use a cream to get rid of it or get her a safe electric shaver if you aren't comfortable with her shaving with a razor. My mom thought I was too young to deal with it in elementary school (I was 5'5" and 120 pounds with my period and body hair/odor at 8), and the teasing was unpleasant, albeit nothing that drove me to tears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just let her shave. Show her how. Not a big deal.

+1
This is just grooming. She washes her hair, cleans her nails, soaps up, and styles her hair each day - yes? This is really no different.
I think it will also be a bonding moment - kids love it when they are treated like mini-adults. You daughter is growing and maturing more quickly than the other girls, so you need to adapt your timeline appropriately. Sometimes things can't wait until middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would help her use a cream to get rid of it or get her a safe electric shaver if you aren't comfortable with her shaving with a razor. My mom thought I was too young to deal with it in elementary school (I was 5'5" and 120 pounds with my period and body hair/odor at 8), and the teasing was unpleasant, albeit nothing that drove me to tears.

I was not 5'5" until the 8th grade. Parents definitely need to adapt if they have a child who is going through puberty early.

-DCUM Dad now 6'

[Anonymous]

Been shaving my daughters legs (at her request) since she was 8. No biggie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would help her use a cream to get rid of it or get her a safe electric shaver if you aren't comfortable with her shaving with a razor. My mom thought I was too young to deal with it in elementary school (I was 5'5" and 120 pounds with my period and body hair/odor at 8), and the teasing was unpleasant, albeit nothing that drove me to tears.

I was not 5'5" until the 8th grade. Parents definitely need to adapt if they have a child who is going through puberty early.

-DCUM Dad now 6'

PP here - yep, what was shocking was that I'm still the exact same size in my mid-30s, so I could totally rock those 80s neons and windbreakers. I was planning to play basketball or be a willowy, tall woman, but alas...

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the responses!! I feel so much better. I was worried shaving a child's legs at that age would been seen as horrible. Didn't want to have to pay for extra therapy for her later because I damaged her sense of self We'll definitely be shaving it off then.

[Anonymous]

OP I started shaving my legs in second grade for the same reasons you mention. My mother gave me an electric razor. I was teased constantly about my thick, dark hair on my legs. Then in 8th grade I started bleaching the hair on my arms with Jolene bleach. Now as an adult I still carry the self consciousness of all that teasing with me, even though I'm middle aged now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I started shaving my legs in second grade for the same reasons you mention. My mother gave me an electric razor. I was teased constantly about my thick, dark hair on my legs. Then in 8th grade I started bleaching the hair on my arms with Jolene bleach. Now as an adult I still carry the self consciousness of all that teasing with me, even though I'm middle aged now.

Ugh, so sorry to hear this! And this is exactly what I'm worried about. DD has very thick, black hair on her head so it makes sense that this will be the case on the rest of her body. Glad to know others think shaving early is okay. Don't want it to scar her for life!

[Anonymous]

I think it sends the wrong message to shave a 7 yo, OP. Many feel as I do. But this issue has been endlessly and viciously debated here before (search for previous threads) and I can't get into it now.

[Anonymous]

It sends the message that you are listening to her and you care.

Shave her legs.

[Anonymous]

By the way, it won't become an adult-sized commitment. Once my daughter knew that she could shave her legs, she didn't feel a need to do it all that often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it sends the wrong message to shave a 7 yo, OP. Many feel as I do. But this issue has been endlessly and viciously debated here before (search for previous threads) and I can't get into it now.

You are not helpful. Would tell you why, but I can't get into it now.