Do you think a parent should fix a toddler girl's unibrow?

[Anonymous]

I was teased constantly as a young girl (I remember it starting in first grade) about my very hairy arms and legs. I would cry every day because the other girls were so mean to me.

In second grade my mother gave in and let me start shaving my legs every day (with an electric razor). Then in third grade I started bleaching the hair on my arms with cream bleach. In 6th grade I started waxing my unibrow (this was in the late 80s before waxing was really popular).

The self-consciousness I felt from all the taunting and teasing is still with me to this day, I now feel very self-conscious as an adult about things like that (still have problems with unwanted dark hair). I remember how mean and horrible the teasing and taunting was, how I was made to feel different, and how these feelings have stuck with me and I feel different now as an adult. I wish my mother had taken care of the leg and arm hair earlier, before the teasing started.

[Anonymous]

I've been using a tiny razor to groom my DD's uni since age 1. She's 4 and asks for the eye brow tickler at this point. She has no idea why I do it, but I do try to incorporate into grooming routine (for example when brushing our teeth, or while I am plucking my own brows). At this point, she hasn't asked why I do it. If she tells me to stop at some point, I will. If she asks me to explain, I will.

I started doing this at her first bday, when 2 (yes 2) adults commented on her unibrow. So yea, that sucks. And yea, I could have ignored. But I figure why set my kid up to be made fun of, when it is such a 2 second painless easy fix?

I had dark leg hair in school and remember in the 4th grade being called "wolverine." I BEGGED my mom to let me shave and she refused. If my DD was in the same position, Id help her out.

As unfair and unjust as some people here seem to feel it is, people notice. And I don't want my awesome kid to be noticed for something as stupid as some hair b/w her eyes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been using a tiny razor to groom my DD's uni since age 1. She's 4 and asks for the eye brow tickler at this point. She has no idea why I do it, but I do try to incorporate into grooming routine (for example when brushing our teeth, or while I am plucking my own brows). At this point, she hasn't asked why I do it. If she tells me to stop at some point, I will. If she asks me to explain, I will.

Somewhat OT, but are you sure that shaving is the best thing to do on your DD's face?

I'm super hairy, but I can't imagine using a razor on a girl's face. It can be irritating when done long term. Have you tried threading? It's not super painful. Or, maybe just tweeze?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was so noticeable that people treated her differently, I'd take care of it. We don't live in a world of compassionate do-gooders who wouldn't judge the innocent child... Except DCUM world where the phonies come out in droves to preach their pretend altruism. Most of the people on here would be the first ones to poke their spouse and smirk if they saw the little girl walk by.

Are you nuts?? Do you really think people can't really be kind and compassionate? There is something wrong with you, if that's the case.

I'm a PP who said to leave it alone. My DD's friend from preschool has a huge birthmark on her forehead. Yes, I noticed it when we first met, but now, it's a complete non-issue. The two girls play well together. She's well-mannered (as much as expected from a 5 year old!), and loves to play Hungry, Hungry, Hippo, which makes her a perfect play partner for my DD.

My DD noticed the birthmark at first, but it doesn't interfere with their playing, so she doesn't care.

Why in the world does a 3 year old with a unibrow bother you? Ridiculous. Let her mom handle it when it bothers the girl.

You're the nutty one. People can pretend all they like that the world is just oh so great. Never would anyone judge or treat a child unfairly because of fill in the blank imperfection. Tell that to the kid who's been constantly made fun of. That was me. To my face people would say how cute I was and how "we're all different", etc..., but the stares and side eyes I got really hurt and greatly affected my self-esteem. I really don't think people who have never dealt with this firsthand have the right to comment on what is right for the mom to do. Walk in our shoes first. The fakeness on DCUM really doesn't help anyone, btw. Certainly, not that precious 3 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been using a tiny razor to groom my DD's uni since age 1. She's 4 and asks for the eye brow tickler at this point. She has no idea why I do it, but I do try to incorporate into grooming routine (for example when brushing our teeth, or while I am plucking my own brows). At this point, she hasn't asked why I do it. If she tells me to stop at some point, I will. If she asks me to explain, I will.

I started doing this at her first bday, when 2 (yes 2) adults commented on her unibrow. So yea, that sucks. And yea, I could have ignored. But I figure why set my kid up to be made fun of, when it is such a 2 second painless easy fix?

I had dark leg hair in school and remember in the 4th grade being called "wolverine." I BEGGED my mom to let me shave and she refused. If my DD was in the same position, Id help her out.

As unfair and unjust as some people here seem to feel it is, people notice. And I don't want my awesome kid to be noticed for something as stupid as some hair b/w her eyes.

Honestly see nothing wrong with this. We are Latino and it is what it is. My daughter doesn't have the unibrow, but if she did I would do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that none of you were little girls with a bad unibrow. Three is a little young, but if I were mom I'd start doing some plucking be early elementary school.

I am very hairy. I always said I'd take care of it early if I had a daughter - she comes to me complaining that kids are calling her names, we would just do something. I didnt have a daughter, but have a son who is also hairy. I don't think it bothers boys the same way, but if he's upset we'll figure out what to do.

It's nice for all you blondes to say "oh, you shouldn't even notice and every child is just adorable" but we all know that's a load of BS. Some features just stand out and draw your eyes to them. Why put your kid front and center for something that's easily dealt with?

I have a ton of facial hair. Dark, disgusting facial hair. And when I started to become self-conscious about it, my mom let me start tweeting and I got my lip threaded.

The key is that a 3 year old is not yet self-conscious. Let her be until it becomes an issue for her.

Another brunette here, agreeing with this. Don't make her self-conscious about her appearance any earlier than necessary.

The good news is that a unibrow is easily fixed. Unlike the attitude of the OP, who looks at a three-year-old and can only see her most superficial flaw. That kind of ugly runs deep.

Totally disagree with this. Fix unibrow girl now. Said girl will be self-conscious and embarrassed when people ask to see her child photos. She likely to balk that she couldn't believe her mom kept the unibrow. I know. I did. There is absolutely nothing harmful to the child's skin to have the unibrow removed if done by a professional. Take the kid to the pediatrician for recs. Mine recommended an esthetician with pediatric experience for my DD unibrow. (unfortunately it's genetic)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't shave, but I might consider threading or tweezing if it was bothering my child. I wouldn't do it before she said something, though -- because I don't want to plant the idea that there is something wrong. But I don't have a problem with small cosmetic stuff for a kid who is upset.

(one of these days, imma get that mole on my face removed. seriously.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been using a tiny razor to groom my DD's uni since age 1. She's 4 and asks for the eye brow tickler at this point. She has no idea why I do it, but I do try to incorporate into grooming routine (for example when brushing our teeth, or while I am plucking my own brows). At this point, she hasn't asked why I do it. If she tells me to stop at some point, I will. If she asks me to explain, I will.

I started doing this at her first bday, when 2 (yes 2) adults commented on her unibrow. So yea, that sucks. And yea, I could have ignored. But I figure why set my kid up to be made fun of, when it is such a 2 second painless easy fix?

I had dark leg hair in school and remember in the 4th grade being called "wolverine." I BEGGED my mom to let me shave and she refused. If my DD was in the same position, Id help her out.

As unfair and unjust as some people here seem to feel it is, people notice. And I don't want my awesome kid to be noticed for something as stupid as some hair b/w her eyes.

Honestly see nothing wrong with this. We are Latino and it is what it is. My daughter doesn't have the unibrow, but if she did I would do this.

This. People who don't have these problems are always the ones to tell the rest of us to deal with it. My way of dealing with it is to do what's best for my child's self-esteem and so we as a family can be left alone in public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're the nutty one. People can pretend all they like that the world is just oh so great. Never would anyone judge or treat a child unfairly because of fill in the blank imperfection. Tell that to the kid who's been constantly made fun of. That was me. To my face people would say how cute I was and how "we're all different", etc..., but the stares and side eyes I got really hurt and greatly affected my self-esteem. I really don't think people who have never dealt with this firsthand have the right to comment on what is right for the mom to do. Walk in our shoes first. The fakeness on DCUM really doesn't help anyone, btw. Certainly, not that precious 3 year old.

But the OP is not a parent wondering whether they should do something about their 3-year-old's eyebrows, which people are staring and side-eyeing at.

The OP is one of the people doing the staring and side-eyeing.

[Anonymous]

Exactly my point. There are people out there side eyeing and staring at 3 year old children. I was that child. Parents are advocates for their children and our self-esteems and body images are up to them. That mom should fix the brow IMO. An adult felt compelled enough to come on here and comment, so I'm guessing the unibrow is pretty striking. Good or bad, right or wrong. Mom needs to TKOB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been using a tiny razor to groom my DD's uni since age 1. She's 4 and asks for the eye brow tickler at this point. She has no idea why I do it, but I do try to incorporate into grooming routine (for example when brushing our teeth, or while I am plucking my own brows). At this point, she hasn't asked why I do it. If she tells me to stop at some point, I will. If she asks me to explain, I will.

I started doing this at her first bday, when 2 (yes 2) adults commented on her unibrow. So yea, that sucks. And yea, I could have ignored. But I figure why set my kid up to be made fun of, when it is such a 2 second painless easy fix?

I had dark leg hair in school and remember in the 4th grade being called "wolverine." I BEGGED my mom to let me shave and she refused. If my DD was in the same position, Id help her out.

As unfair and unjust as some people here seem to feel it is, people notice. And I don't want my awesome kid to be noticed for something as stupid as some hair b/w her eyes.

Honestly see nothing wrong with this. We are Latino and it is what it is. My daughter doesn't have the unibrow, but if she did I would do this.

Finally someone with some common sense. All of you saying 'oh how horrible to even think of doing such a thing' are probably the same who get all upset with parents who pierce their young daughter's ears. Or the ones who think it's ok to let your daughter 'express herself ' by wearing rain boots and a Christmas dress out in public in July. Why don't you all draw in a unibrow on youselves and go out like that if you think it's so wonderful?

[Anonymous]

I am very hairy and have dealt with the taunts, low self esteem, etc. and I think my mom should have addressed it sooner. But 3 is too young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was so noticeable that people treated her differently, I'd take care of it. We don't live in a world of compassionate do-gooders who wouldn't judge the innocent child... Except DCUM world where the phonies come out in droves to preach their pretend altruism. Most of the people on here would be the first ones to poke their spouse and smirk if they saw the little girl walk by.

OP here. I was not trying to be mean. I stated in my original post that 3 is probably too young. I was asking when others thought it was the appropriate time. I would think before kindergarten. I would hate to be known as the unibrow girl in elementary school.

My guess is you were known as the superficial and mean girl.

For the record, I'm Latina and, though I didn't have a unibrow as a kid, I did have very thick brows. I started having them shaped in HS -- no trauma -- just asked mom if we could do this and she said "sure" -- no different than asking if I could wear lip gloss. This had been my plan with my own DD, but, as it turned out, during her tweens and early teens her face changed and she grew into her brows. So, we waited until she started high school and then just had them threaded a teeny bit. She's now a rising junior and is really quite beautiful (not just my opinion -- her older brothers have started to tell their buddies to stay away from her). She is the envy of her friends who have scant, barely visible brows.

[Anonymous]

Do any of you give your children haircuts? Cut their nails? Why? Do you think you're scarring them by making them think they have to conform to society's conception of what a proper hairdo and nail length is? That there's something wrong with their bodies that these things need to be cut?

The best time to take care of this is now, before the child ever has to experience mocking and shame from it. Either way, at some point she will acclimate to our society's view of unibrows. The choice is to let it happen through imagery in the media, women's magazines, and osmosis, like most people, or through the cruel mockery of children. I can't even see why this would be a hard choice.

[Anonymous]

I'd pluck it while she was asleep.