When should a 9 year old shave her armpits?
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Anonymous
| My 9 year old (almost 10) has some serious hair under her armpits. She was in summer swim this summer and I expected maybe she would ask to shave it, but she didn't. I did offer once that she could if she wanted to last spring. I noticed it today and, while, yes, I am conforming to society norms... I really feel like she needs to address it. She is wearing deodorant. Should I encourage her to shave? Or just let it go and wait for her to say something? Obviously, I don't want her to be self conscious about it. |
Anonymous
| Can you maybe have a conversation with her that more generally discusses issues that arise with puberty and body changes, including a brief overview of bodyhair care options and how to shave. And maybe you can buy the supplies she needs for shaving, and just put them in the cabinet and let her know they're there in case she ever decides to start shaving. Then if you noticed one day that she started to use them, you can review with her how to do it. |
Anonymous
| I would think more around 12/13. It's great she doesn't notice yet. |
Anonymous
|
Nott until SHE suggests it. She will only be self conscious about it if YOU make her self conscious.
My dd is 11, in 6th grade and her classmates are still unshaven (armpits and legs) They are still kids and couldn't care less. Get the American Doll book "The Care and Keeping of you" It is a fantastic age appropriate introduction to the pre-puberty years. |
Anonymous
| When she asks to do it. |
Anonymous
|
So I will be the lone dissent - my daughter started shaving armpits at age 9. I did go through the American Girl doll book and went through the various sections on hygiene. Then I gave her shaving cream and a razor and showed her how to do it. It was simple, painless and a great improvement in her appearance. She didn't ask - bc I didn't think she knew to ask.
Every kid is different, and I knew my daughter needed to shave. |
Anonymous
| My daughter asked at 10 and I said yes. She then confided she had stopped raising her hand in class out of fear of embarrassment. I wished I'd known earlier. |
Anonymous
We did basically the same thing and it worked well. My now 14 yr old dd has thanked me for helping her figure things out and not let it get to the point where other kids noticed. DD is a well adjusted confident young woman and has her own style. Have the talk with your dd, give her the tools she needs and then give her space to decide on her own. |
Anonymous
| Stop bringing it up to her. Some people let their armpit hair grow. If it doesn't bother her, let her be. She should shave IF she wants, WHEN she wants. |
Anonymous
| Let it go until spring, she doesn't need to shave over winter. Our daughter was in short sleeve swim shirts the last summer before shaving, that helped. Then just see what she wants, it is up to her. Ask once and let it go. |
Anonymous
|
Nobody brought it up to me when I was in 7th/8th grade and I think people noticed and talked about it b/c I was on a bsktball team with sleeveless shirts.
I wish my mother would have said "here's a razor, shave your underarms." I tell my 12 yr old to do it. She doesn't remember very often. Wouldn't do it if I didn't tell her. |
Anonymous
| Gross. As soon as they get hairy. |
Anonymous
| This is unusual for a 9 year old. Have you had her checked For precious puberty? |
Anonymous
agree with this. My 10 year old and her friends do not have arm pit hair yet. |
Anonymous
What does shaving arm pits have to do with hygiene? Good hygiene can go either way. |