Too soon to shave legs?

[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.

Never too soon for a girl to learn to keep shaved. A girl went to school with, who had crazy religious parents, wouldn't let her shave her legs until Jr. High, so she had legs as hairy as teen boys by 12 years old and was forever known after that as "Hairy Hannah" even after she started shaving.

Don't bully your kid. Hygiene is not makeup.

Shaving is not hygiene. It is purely cosmetic and optional. A lot of girls nowadays choose not to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Public School - the real world. Maybe doing everything the old fashioned way and having a very homogeneous population is the norm in your kids' small privates, but in our every day middle of the road public schools, it's a mixed bag. Some girls shave, some girls don't. Some girls wear makeup, some don't. Some girls wear the latest fashions, others wear leggings and t-shirts. It's a diverse group of kids and they like it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Public School - the real world. Maybe doing everything the old fashioned way and having a very homogeneous population is the norm in your kids' small privates, but in our every day middle of the road public schools, it's a mixed bag. Some girls shave, some girls don't. Some girls wear makeup, some don't. Some girls wear the latest fashions, others wear leggings and t-shirts. It's a diverse group of kids and they like it that way.

Wow, just wow. YDY in your own boxed in world then. Noticed the backpedding though.

[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.

Never too soon for a girl to learn to keep shaved. A girl went to school with, who had crazy religious parents, wouldn't let her shave her legs until Jr. High, so she had legs as hairy as teen boys by 12 years old and was forever known after that as "Hairy Hannah" even after she started shaving.

Don't bully your kid. Hygiene is not makeup.

Shaving is not hygiene. It is purely cosmetic and optional. A lot of girls nowadays choose not to.

A small % is not considered "a lot" by any definition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd show her how to do it safely. Tell her she doesn't need to do it. And then leave it up to her.

I'd also consider allowing some makeup. Just a little. Letting her play around and experiment with makeup will make it less "taboo" and something reserved for "older girls". A little eyeshadow and colored lip glass is not a big deal.

I think at age 12 forbidding things like this just makes your kid get sneaky and she'll start lying to you.

I'll also ask if you let her decide about her own hair cuts. If no, I'd start letting her control how she wears her hair.

Sorry but most normal people agree: it’s disgusting for girls to just grow out their leg hair. Weird too. Do you want your daughters to be ridiculed?

[Anonymous]

I started at camp when I was 11 because the other girls my age did it. I don’t think 12 is too young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dad here with a young teen daughter.

She does makeup, shaving legs, etc.

I am fine with whatever she wants to do for her own personal hygiene and grooming. But no, I will not be spending a bazillion dollars at Sephora.

This made me smile. You sound like an adorable girl dad!

[Anonymous]

Why is there an age on this? When she wants to shave let her shave. If she never wants to shave, that's fine too.

[Anonymous]

Never too young to be well groomed. Boys will tease her, and girls will really ostracise her if comes to school with hairy legs or pits.

Disregard any myths about age and shaving. They are just myths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd show her how to do it safely. Tell her she doesn't need to do it. And then leave it up to her.

I'd also consider allowing some makeup. Just a little. Letting her play around and experiment with makeup will make it less "taboo" and something reserved for "older girls". A little eyeshadow and colored lip glass is not a big deal.

I think at age 12 forbidding things like this just makes your kid get sneaky and she'll start lying to you.

I'll also ask if you let her decide about her own hair cuts. If no, I'd start letting her control how she wears her hair.

Sorry but most normal people agree: it’s disgusting for girls to just grow out their leg hair. Weird too. Do you want your daughters to be ridiculed?

Also, armpit hair on girls is gross.

[Anonymous]

I came back from summer camp at age 11 with shaved legs. I'll never forget my mom saying, "Now you'll have to do it for the rest of your life!" and shaking her head. Lol!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd show her how to do it safely. Tell her she doesn't need to do it. And then leave it up to her.

I'd also consider allowing some makeup. Just a little. Letting her play around and experiment with makeup will make it less "taboo" and something reserved for "older girls". A little eyeshadow and colored lip glass is not a big deal.

I think at age 12 forbidding things like this just makes your kid get sneaky and she'll start lying to you.

I'll also ask if you let her decide about her own hair cuts. If no, I'd start letting her control how she wears her hair.

Sorry but most normal people agree: it’s disgusting for girls to just grow out their leg hair. Weird too. Do you want your daughters to be ridiculed?

Why would you revive a four month old thread to say this? Oh I know, because you're a sick misogynistic pervert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I came back from summer camp at age 11 with shaved legs. I'll never forget my mom saying, "Now you'll have to do it for the rest of your life!" and shaking her head. Lol!

Where do people come up with those myths?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you everyone for the quick responses! A lot of very good points so I truly appreciate it! When she gets home from school today I will tell her it’s a yes and will show her how to safely do it. Thanks again!

Good. And don’t make her fight for everything she wants. She will just start lying to you all.the.time.

+1.

Confidence is SO important at this age. If she is asking, it is because she feels self conscious about it. Honestly, who cares if YOU are comfortable with this? Why is that even part of the conversation when we aren’t talking about drugs, sex etc? Don’t make this more than it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you everyone for the quick responses! A lot of very good points so I truly appreciate it! When she gets home from school today I will tell her it’s a yes and will show her how to safely do it. Thanks again!

Good. And don’t make her fight for everything she wants. She will just start lying to you all.the.time.

+1.

Confidence is SO important at this age. If she is asking, it is because she feels self conscious about it. Honestly, who cares if YOU are comfortable with this? Why is that even part of the conversation when we aren’t talking about drugs, sex etc? Don’t make this more than it is.

There seems to be a few women on here who don't want their daughters to be groomed and shave anything. It must be a cultural thing from somewhere else overseas? Or else just some dude with a hirsute-hirsut fetish.