DD shaving

[CuriousInIL]

Around here, the vast majority of moms require their dd to shave legs and armpits when "needed," usually around 6th-8th grade depending on the girl. These folks require this of their dd as a part of "normal" grooming much like bathing, washing hair, using deodorant, etc. A vocal minority believes that including shaving as part of required grooming/ hygiene is wrong and that the shaving is different and should not be mandated but just up to the sensibility of the dd.
Which camp do you fall into? Comments?

 

[icbeckyc]

I don't require it. But when they asked about shaving I tel them to atleast wait till 6th grade. But they both started in 4th or 5th. They were certain they looked terrible. Now I will remind them when i bump their legs and it hurts. lol

I will add to this thread. Who has kids that shave their arms? I don't mean arm pits, but arms. They have friends that do it too. That I don't understand. I am not hairy to start with and neither were they.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

My mom made me wait til I was 12 to start shaving my legs..but she never said it was mandatory to keep them shaved. She did tell me that it was more lady like to keep your underarms shaved, but never made me shave them everytime I took a shower or anything like that. I don't think anyone should make their daughter shave as part as part of normal grooming, if she does fine, if she doesn't that's ok too. I'm going to make Emily wait til she's 12 also, she has red hair so I doubt that her leg hair will be dark.

 

[glamourdollxoxo]

I have been extremely hairy from day one and I had noticable underarm hair around 4th grade or so and I was teased so I begged my mom and she let me shave using an electric razor and I only shaved my underarms. I didn't start shaving my legs till 6th grade when I knew I would be wearing shorts and people would be able to notice because my hair is dark. I've always been self conscious about it so I shave almost everytime I shower especially if I will be wearing shorts.

 

[TCat]

I think I was in the 6th grade when I decided to shave my legs. I grabbed dad's razor, sat in front of the TV and shaved the hair off. YIKES, I did not know that soap and water would make it easier not to mention razor burn!!!
My DD is only 3 so I have a while to wait on this one but I am guessing that we'll decide when she askes about it.

 

[c1ners]

I don't require it. But when they asked about shaving I tel them to atleast wait till 6th grade. But they both started in 4th or 5th. They were certain they looked terrible. Now I will remind them when i bump their legs and it hurts. lol

I will add to this thread. Who has kids that shave their arms? I don't mean arm pits, but arms. They have friends that do it too. That I don't understand. I am not hairy to start with and neither were they.

My oldest used to shave her arms, and her lower back. She has dark hair, and was always very self consious about how hairy she was. I think she still shaves her back, but thankfully she's stopped shaving her arms.

Both my girls were around the age of 12 when they started shaving. It's not a mandatory thing. If they want hairy legs, that's up to them. It's their choice, and not really something that I've set rules upon.

 

[aunt]

It should be an individual decision for each girl.

 

[bliz]

I have observed that some Dads have a harder time with daughter shaving because that means that daughter is not such a little girl anymore.

I do not think that the shaving should ever be mandatory, as say bathing and deodorant. It should be a personal choice.

 

[seamonster]

It's not mandatory for us but I'll let our daughters shave when they're ready...probably around 11 or 12.

I started shaving under my arms at 11 and my legs at 12. My mom tried to make me wait until I was 13 but I just couldn't wait that long.

 

[cremi]

It's not mandatory at our house. My dd was actually the one that came to me and asked me about it. I think she was around 11 or 12 at the time. I was fine with it, but have no requirements about the topic.

 

[Lilymay]

Wasn't mandatory in my house. Daughter did start shaving when she was 11. I wanted her to wait until she was at least 12 but my husband overrode me on that one.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

A vocal minority believes that including shaving as part of required grooming/ hygiene is wrong and that the shaving is different and should not be mandated but just up to the sensibility of the dd.
Which camp do you fall into?

I'm with the minority.

 

[BarbBlessed]

I am very light with very little hair, but my daughter is blessed with a good amount of dark brown hair, especially on her legs and arms. I was anxious for her to start shaving. She was pretty easy going and not especially worried about her appearance. She seemed to have no problem with her fuzzy legs, but I spent a lot of time praying that no one would make a hateful comment and hurt her feelings.

I waited until she asked about shaving, and I would never, ever make it a mandatory thing. Girls/women have enough problems with self-image without their mom's requiring that!

 

[ShannonB]

My daughter has been shaving since she was 10 or 11. She's one of those kids that matured (bodywise) early and she was ready.

I would NEVER make it mandatory. Like most things, I think it's a personal choice. We sometimes tease her a bit if it gets a little long (ask her if she's going to braid it ) but I would never make her go shave them.

 

[CuriousInIL]

My daughter has been shaving since she was 10 or 11. She's one of those kids that matured (bodywise) early and she was ready.

I would NEVER make it mandatory. Like most things, I think it's a personal choice. We sometimes tease her a bit if it gets a little long (ask her if she's going to braid it ) but I would never make her go shave them.

Why not?

 

[missyjean130]

" i dont beleive you should shave" said the mother to her daughter. Next day she is humiliated and rediculed at school.

Shaving is their option, not yours. It's not a huge deal...

 

[CuriousInIL]

" i dont beleive you should shave" said the mother to her daughter. Next day she is humiliated and rediculed at school.

Shaving is their option, not yours. It's not a huge deal...

But shouldn't the parents--at a very minimum--suggest strongly what things are and are not good, allowable and/or proper for good hygiene and grooming?

 

[bliz]

I'm sorry - why is this an issue that you are so concerned with? You are married, but do not have children...

 

[homeofmew]

LOL my parents didn't have to make me start.

 

[CuriousInIL]

I'm sorry - why is this an issue that you are so concerned with? You are married, but do not have children...

That will come as quite a shock to DW and my 2 DDs.