Hello!

33 Comments

Mum asks if she should let her young daughter shave her legs?

Mum shares, “My 9-year-old daughter has always had darkish hair on her legs and a few days ago she said some other girls teased her about it and she asked if she could get rid of her leg hair.

“To be honest, I was completely taken aback – it feels like yesterday that she was in nappies and now she wants to shave her legs. How did that happen? One part of me thinks she is way too young to start on this but I really don’t want her to feel self-conscious about this issue.”

Mums share some helpful advice

The resounding response was YES let her do it to prevent her being bullied. Kids are so mean today :(

Mikah said, “If she has told you she is being teased or its affecting her in ANY way. – 100% no question allow her, age is nothing.”

Anne said, “Of course! You said she has always had darkish hair on her legs. It’s something she would feel better about if it were gone. Why make her feel self conscious for YOUR principle? It’s an easy fix.”

Kylie said, “Let her shave. My eldest daughter started shaving at age 9 and got her period at 10. Buy her the razors with the little safety wires that helps to prevent cuts. Do one leg for her and then watch her do the other one and offer further assistance if needed.”

Miranda said, “Poor baby kids can be mean. I would let her or maybe even hair removing cream a bit safer then a razor.”

Haylie said, “Yes… Why not if its bothering her.”

Jayde said, “Absolutely yes. There’s some great hair removal creams that moisturise as well. Anything to give her a bit of relief from teasing id definitely do.”

Hayley G said, “If it’s going to cause her to be self conscious and not as confident then I would definitely let her.”

Shanelle replied, “Yes I’d allow her do some sort of hair removal. I was teased in school about it too, it’s not fun. Especially when you know there’s something you can do about it.”

Join our Facebook discussion below:

Getty images

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • As a Mum of 3 girls… I let my girls shave their legs and arm pits when they asked. I didnt take note of their ages so i cant remember.
    I can remember being 12 and one of the girls at school was crying one day because her mum wouldnt let her shave, refused to buy her a bra or deodorant :(

    Reply

  • Later is better a you need to keep going when you start. However a personal choice as a family friend had a young daughter with a lot of hair and it was a very good decision for them to start early.

    Reply

  • Yep, if she’s being bullied about it, get the hair removed. It’s no guarantee the teasing will stop, but if you can stop it, do it

    Reply

  • I would have said when they start high school but in hearing she is being teased I would allow it. Kids are so cruel these days. It is young but being bullied can have unimaginable consequences on some children and it’s heart breaking your child being picked on.

    Reply

  • I’m lucky. Mine is the same colour as my skin and short so I have never bothered. As I have scars from Dermatitis and scratched in my sleep when I was younger I wear slacks or jeans a lot of the time

    Reply

  • The age does sound young however if it is a problem for her both physically and also she is getting teased about it, I think go for it.

    Reply

  • My daughter has always had darkish hair on her legs and she wanted to remove it last year when she was in year 6 and I bought her all the hair removal sprays and creams but she was too worried about doing it because she thought that she would get teased for doing it as well as for having the hair (can’t win these days). She eventually asked me the day before she started high school this year to do it and now I help her do the hair removal each week. It gives us a bit of bonding time and she isn’t stressed about the hair anymore. I think 9 is a bit young but if she feels that it will eliminate the teasing and stress that it’s causing her daughter and help her daughter with her self esteem then do it. After all that kids have to stress about these days they don’t need something so trivial to worry about especially because they can fix it easily.

    Reply

  • Yes definitely let her especially if she is being teased about it. Kids have a lot to contend with at school these days. Anything you can do that is going to ease her way in life do it. If you are worried then show her how to do it safely. This is one decision you will definitely not regret allowing your child to do

    Reply

  • It’s different for each child. Kids mature and go through puberty much younger than when I was a child so I think it’s different for each child and family. If it becomes a real self-esteem issue, then I would consider it. However, it’s also important to note that once you start, you will be shaving or waxing for the rest of your life.

    Reply

  • A 9 yr old wanting to have her legs because of being teased ?! Shaving her legs will not be a solution, she’ll only become more hairy. Talking with this child and building her self-esteem is a better solution. And of course talking with the teasers and bullies and approach the school.

    Reply

  • It’s a sad world where a 9yo gets teased for the hair on her legs. If it causes her too much stress, just shave them. (although I think it’s too young)

    Reply

  • Why are 9 year olds bullying other 9 year olds about their bodies, what a sad world we live in, kids are being forced to grow up too fast, girls already having to worry about their bodies, while boys get to just be themselves. Sure it is taking the easy way out by letting her shave them but is it right? Does this mean all other 9 years olds will feel pressure too? Or should she stand her ground and just be a kid? Waxing would be better because shaving makes them grow back thicker and faster.

    Reply

  • If it;s going to cause her deep distress and anxiety because she is being bullied then I think its ok to start a bit younger, but I think each situation is different and there isn’t a really right answer to this

    Reply

  • I think you need to do whatever helps your child’s confidence. As some girls menstruate at age 8, I think that age is ok.

    Reply

  • Question is does she feel uncomfortable about the dark hair was she worried about the other girls saying something I would go with what your daughter feels

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join