I need a little feedback

kandmcockrell · #1 10/22/10, 02:57 PM

My daughter has started talking about shaving. She has blond hair. The hair on her legs is blond as well, but it is very thick and kinda longish.
The hair comming in under her arms is long and dark. As of right now, that is spars, but does seem to be filling in. She does have an smell if she does not use deoderant.

I am wondering if I should show her how to use the razor, or get her an electric one. Like the females version of the one guys use on their face. I am worried about her cutting herself with the regular razor, she can be quit clumsy when she is standing on dry land, so I am sure the shower would compound that.

The main reason I am looking for feedback is the hardest part about this for me to deal with. She is just 8 and I kidd you not, the hair on her legs is at least 1/2" long and the hair under her arms is longer than that.

I keep trying to play it off, and might be able to keep her from thinking about it over the winter, but I know when she wants to wear tank tops and shorts, she will start thinking about it again.

So, I guess I am asking if I should not get her anything, or get her something because I know it is bothering her and I just need to deal with the fact that my 8 year old baby girl will be shaving.

jacqueg · #2 10/22/10, 03:00 PM

Ya know, I think I'd go to the doctor on this one. Some kids do start developing this early, but she might have some kind of hormonal imbalance. For your own peace of mind, it would be worth checking into, IMO.

All country · #3 10/22/10, 03:07 PM

One of my daughter (also a blond) had to start shaving at around that age. I treated it as no big deal, just lathered up with her one day and showed her how it's done. It is common for some blondes to have more body hair.

CarolynRenee · #4 10/22/10, 03:11 PM

That does seem like an early age to start shaving. I remember my Mom giving me a lady's electric razor for a Christmas gift when I was about 11 or 12 and I was mortified. But then again, I was pretty much a tom-boy.

Are eight-year-olds really looking at other eight-year-olds legs? Does she have a problem with it, or have other kids been making fun of her. If she thinks that she wants to start shaving, then just remind her that it will become a maintenance thing. If she doesn't like the look of her "virgin" leg / armpit hairs, tell her that once she starts shaving & if she forgets to shave, it will look even worse. I'd also go with an electric razor. I remember using my first "real" razor & I had a problem with razor burn a lot (still do).

JuliaAnn · #5 10/22/10, 04:28 PM

Speaking from experience when I was 10, I started getting that kind of hair on my legs and underarms, and it bothered me. My mother tried to put off me starting to shave until I was 'older', why, I don't know. But it bothered me terribly, and I was very self conscious about it. I ended up using my father's safety razor and yeah, I did scrape the bejeebers out of my ankle and it bled quite a bit, but I kept shaving after that. My mother realized then how self conscious I was about it, and got me an electric razor. I had that thing until I was probably 20.

If it's bothering your daughter, even though she is young, I would let her.

Just my opinon, of course.

siletz · #6 10/22/10, 04:57 PM

I started letting my daughter shave in 5th grade when I found out people at school were calling her gorilla. She's not particularly hairy, but all the other girls had already started shaving, so they made fun of her. If it's something that your daughter wants to do, I don't see any down side in allowing it. For the first year, I bought my daughter the Nair with the plastic thing shaped like a razor without a blade to get her into the hang of it then showed her how to use the real thing after that.

JanS · #7 10/22/10, 05:05 PM

It's very common for 9-year-olds to get their period these days. She could be early with that too. If it were my daughter, I'd let her shave under the arms but the legs might be a little too grown-up. Try to find out how other moms in your area are handling it. If none of the girls shave their legs it shouldn't even be an issue.

countrysunshine · #8 10/22/10, 07:05 PM

There are a couple of girls that were my son's age that their mother started shaving their legs for them at about age 6. The girls were blonde but very hairy and competed in gymnastics. It was noticable for them.

I am all for keeping kids from being made fun of.

giraffe_baby · #9 10/22/10, 07:47 PM

My daughter was 8 when she started... she's dark haired and her's was LONGGGGG so We got her an electric razor for christmas... She now has slowly graduated to a regular razor ( will be 13 next month) She did loose intrest for a while but now has "picked back up" so... Just go with your gut!

DamnearaFarm · #10 10/22/10, 07:49 PM

The nair thing with the razor-look scraper for her legs- it'll help her manuever around without hacking herself.

IIRC, they make a womans razor that has wire or something wrapped around the blade- whatever it is, IMO, it makes it harder to cut yourself. They're probably pricey, but if she's only using it on her underarms it will last a while.

Jackie · #11 10/22/10, 08:11 PM

ACK!!!! My daughter is 8 and I never even thought about such things. To me she is still a baby. She has no hair at all anywhere...well except her head.

Shaving??? My daughter cant even wash her own hair (its long and she never gets all the soap out).

I don't shave that often. And I am cheap. WHen I was 16 I bought a razor with two packs of blades. The blades had wire wrapped around them so they didn't cut you. I had 10 blades originally and I still have 2 of them and I am 29!! I have managed to hang onto that razor through about 12 moves and the countless trips its been on. I have no idea if I could get replacements...

for the record I DID wax for three years straight during that time and my razor sat idle.

kritter8888 · #12 10/22/10, 11:37 PM

If she is really interested I would show her. My mom never even mentioned showing me how to shave. All my friends were doing it (it was 6th grade). So there I went and tried by myself and let me tell you that cut hurt, so I think guidance would be best. PS I am a Blonde but also am 1/4 Italian I have to shave my legs everyday. If I miss a day my DH is like your leg hairs poking me through your pants and it usually is. Best of luck.

Sonshine · #13 10/22/10, 11:48 PM

I think the electric razor sounds like the best solution. I didn't have an electric one and did nick myself for awhile, but eventually got the hang of it. Although, I'm almost 53 and still nick myself from time to time.

jill.costello · #14 10/23/10, 12:01 AM

It sounds like you need to have the TALK about becoming a woman with her, if you haven't already. I'd do the electric lady-style razor for now...

kandmcockrell · #15 10/23/10, 11:03 AM

We have talked some about her body changes. I have not gone into the period thing but it is comming up because i want her to be familure before it happens and scares her.
I think i will get her an electric shaver for Christmas. She brought it up and you can tell she is shy about it.

Thanks for the input.

I went through peuberty early, between 5th and 6th grade, but it seems like kids are going early and earlyer, especially the girls.

My son, who is getting ready to turn 12, has not shown any signs as of yet.

Thanks again for the input!!

FoxyWench · #16 10/23/10, 01:00 PM

as someone who whent through puberty very early...

ill tell you this...
if you avoid the situation, tell her no or dont show her/get her what she needs...if this is a real isue for her she will...most likely do it privetly...typically with daddies razors lol...

id personally sit down with her, tell her you understand and show her how...
and id definatly go electric at first if shes a little clumsy, though ive found electric dont work as well for me, mabe im just doing it wrong because im 'self taught'

little girls are certianly growing up alot quicker these days, some of it has to do with self image issues form being bombarded with images of "perfect' super modles and the likes, some of its peer pressure (my ex is now having an issue with his 5 yr old because "everyone' else in school has their own cellphone...---? there 5, she barely knows her numbers yet...*shakes head*) and part of it is, puberty seems to be comming early for alot of young ladies these days.

dont worry, even if shes shaving...shes still your little girl

Jenni979 · #17 10/23/10, 04:00 PM

Probably TMI, but...

I had to start wearing a bra at 8, and started getting my "lady days" at 10... I started off using Nair and an electric razor because I was afraid I would cut myself with the standard razors... If your daughter has sensative skin, at all, I would avoid the Nair... I used the Nair for sensative skin and I still ended up all red, blotchy and in pain.

Good Luck!!!

Maura · #18 10/23/10, 04:47 PM

Early puberty. Take her to your pediatrician and get a full check up. Because she is a big girl, not because anything is wrong. Your pediatrician can help you and your spouse and your daughter be prepared for this. Studies show that girls who have early puberty handle themselves better through jr high (7 -10 grades) because by that age they are used to it. However, it means they will stop growing early. Talk to the doctor about this.

As for the hair, let her shave. The long hair will need to be shaven with a razor because the electric can't really handle it. Take her to a spa (ooo-la-la!) for a girl's day. Let them shave her legs and show her how to shave her underarms. Both of you get a foot massage. Nice introduction into being a feminine girl in a fun way.

strawhouse · #19 10/23/10, 06:08 PM

I agree with everyone else. Show her how to shave.
My mom was really strict, and didn't want me to shave until atleast high school.
By grade 6, I was the ONLY girl who wasn't shaving. It was embarassing, and I was made fun of by both the girls AND the guys. I ended up teaching my self how with my dad's razor, and had to hide the fact I was shaving until the next summer came. (I'm sure my mom noticed, but her way was just to ignore having any "grown up" conversations.)
Though I may be a dirty hippie feminist all these years later, I still shave.

As for the electric vs razor thing, I've never found an electric works that well, but I'm sure it wouldn't matter at that age. I'd avoid the Nair thing though, she's pretty young to be exposing herself to nasty chemicals constantly.
Good luck! And good for you for wanting to support her!

Becka · #20 10/23/10, 06:32 PM

My DD's friend just got her period this year (at age 8!) I'm with the others. Let her shave. I wouldn't use the nair due to the chemicals, and electric razors still cause razor burn even if they can handle the load. Not all electric razors do that good of a job.

If cutting herself is an issue, I'd let her start with the underarms and get used to it for a while, then tackle the legs when she feels more confident.