Anonymous wrote:Overheard a group of 10-year-olds talk about this--according to the one who brought it up, her mom said she had to wait until 6th grade.

I'm fair-haired, but even so I remember being teased by a boy about not shaving when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I didn't bring it up with my mom, but I wish I had--she thought I wasn't self conscious about it.

This pisses me off, though I'm aware that boys learn that it's all about their gaze early and it happens a lot.

My 12 year old hasn't mentioned it yet, so I'm enjoying the extension of the low- maintenance phase.

I am 49 and I haven't started.

My 14 yr old DD shave her privates as well. She saw that I shaved and she started to as well. Watch what you offer up.

PP here. I meant 9 yo DD, not 9 you DD.

My 9 you DD asked. I said no. I'll let her the summer either before 6th or 7th grade, not before then (unless I look around and "everyone" is already doing it).

My DD uses an electric razor. So far no nicks or cuts

I did in 5th grade. I cut myself terribly, so my advice is to show her how if she's going to do it.

Overheard a group of 10-year-olds talk about this--according to the one who brought it up, her mom said she had to wait until 6th grade.

I'm fair-haired, but even so I remember being teased by a boy about not shaving when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I didn't bring it up with my mom, but I wish I had--she thought I wasn't self conscious about it.

Anonymous wrote:Do any girls start with an alternative to shaving? I'm wondering if waxing, epilator, or nair might be preferred by some. What about an electric razor? DD is only 8, but is self-conscious of the hair on her arms and legs. I've been trying to reassure her that no one but her notices it, but at some point, possibly soon, she'll be ready to do something about it.

nair is a bit rough for kids.

This makes me sad. I had no idea it started this early. DD11 has never asked and does not seem at all self conscious even though her hair is dark. Now she is away at her first sleep away camp and I am worried that she will be teased because of her hairy legs.

My DD did it at 11 years without asking me...I wasn't too bothered (other than the behind my back part...we dealt with that part separately), but I had told her to wait as long as she could because it is a pain and once you start you need to continue. Well, now she is almost 17 and laments with me regularly about the drudgery of shaving (or we joke about the forests on our legs). She is now begging me for laser hair removal!

Started using Nair on my daughter's legs when she was 10. Keeps them hair-free longer.

Way back when I was 10, there were a few girls who were. I think I finally did at 11 when it seemed like everyone was. Sleepaway camp peer pressure I guess.

My DD started at 10. She asked and I put it off at first. But she kept asking because she did not like the hair on her legs. She is a sporty girl and you would not think she she would care but she became self- conscious of it early. Her hair is darker than her sisters. Once I showed her she could shave her legs on her own. It just became part of her life and she was much happier. My other DD at age 12.