When did you first let your daughter shave?

@nelly5 (1424)
United States
March 25, 2008 2:27pm CST
I have a daughter who is in the 6th grade. She is 11, will be 12 in May of 2008. I was thinking of her shaving this fall before school starts, so that she will be able to shave her legs for 7th grade. She does play sports and I was thinking that during 7th grade she would probably want to be shaving. It is strange that I was thinking about it, because 2 days after I had this thought, she came to me and asked if we could talk. She wanted to know if she could start shaving her legs. I told her that it was fine but I didn't want her to do it until I could show her the proper way of doing it without getting all cut up. So I sat on the side of the tub with her and showed her how to shave her legs that night. I really enjoyed that time we spent together, it certainly was a mother/daughter bonding moment. I hope that it is little things like that, that she will always remember, anyhow, my question is, how old was your daughter when you allowed her to shave? I don't really believe there is a correct age, I feel it depends on the maturity of the child, and of course, how hairy their legs are. Thanks in advance for any postings!
3 people like this
3 responses
25 Mar 08
Fortunatly i am not at that stage with my daughter yet she is only 3 years old, but going on my experince as a child i was around 12 years old when i decided i wanted to shave my legs, me and my mother didnt have the sort of relationship where i could talk to her about personal things (one thing i am determined to have with my own daughter!) anyways i just had a bash myself with my granddads razor, needless to say the results were soooooo bad i had strips of skin hanging off and couldnt bare my legs for well over a month. I soon learned the propper way to do it after plucking up the courage to try again some time later. I totally praise you for showing your daughter how to go about it and will be doing the same with mine when the time comes.
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@nelly5 (1424)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Awww, thank you so much for the praise. I am sorry you had to learn that way...I did too. I mean, my mother and I are close, but for some reason, I guess she never thought she had to sit down and do it with me, well she didn't have to but I would have liked that. I enjoyed that time with my daughter and it did make me think, I wish I would have had more mother/daughter bonding moments like that with my mom. Maybe she didn't feel that she had to do things like that because I had older sisters who did teach me some things. Oh and just so you all know, I did allow her to shave her arm pits also, and geesh, it was time for that..yucky..lol Thanks for the response, have a great day!
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
25 Mar 08
My daughter is only a year old, she is not old enough for me to worry about that yet. I think I was either 11 or 12 when I started to shave my legs. I know for a fact that I was shaving my legs by 6th grade because I remember a friend of mine was not allowed to shave her legs yet and she was upset because she had very hairy legs.
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@nelly5 (1424)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Yes, you do have some time to have to worry about what age you will allow her to shave. But as for your friend who couldn't, I think that is wrong, if the girl has very hairy legs at 12, I certainly believe she should be allowed to shave. Young girls at this age are going through a time in their life where a lot of them do not have the best self confidence and if it makes them feel better to shave, then I think a parent should allow it. Thanks for the post, have a great day!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Mar 08
Well I dont have doughter but I do know that my mom let me shave when I was about 12 years old. It seems like the right age. Most girls are going throught there changes around this age. And for her to be able to shave is probably a big deal. I know it was for me. I do know though since them they have never been as soft as the first time you shave. If your worried she might get cut go get her a bladeless razor. It comes with shaving cream that removes the hair and the razor has no blade. Maybe just till she gets the hang of things.
• United States
25 Mar 08
No it dosent hurt and it does a better job than a razor. Its kinda like a nair thing. The shaving cream helps disolve the hairs. Then shave and there gone and your legs are smooth and hair free.
1 person likes this
@nelly5 (1424)
• United States
26 Mar 08
Well when I go to Walmart this weekend, maybe I will have to look for that, sounds like a great idea for all young girls. Thanks for the advice. Have a great day!
1 person likes this
@nelly5 (1424)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Thanks for the post Copperkitten. You are correct about them being so soft, I do not remember the feeling of my legs after I first shaved them, but I did feel my daughters legs after she was done and they were so smooth. I even made the comment to her that now her legs felt as smooth as a baby butt...she said ewww and thought I was strange..lol I think she will do just fine, as long as she takes her time and doesn't rush through it. She did a good job the other night, I shaved one of her legs and she shaved the 2nd one. I guess I never thought of the razor with no blade, does it do a good job?? It seems like that kind of razor would be painful..pulling the hairs out, if that is what it does. Thanks for the post and have a great day!
1 person likes this