Hi Mummas. My 8 yo daughter is begging me to let her shave her legs. Isn't this too young? I don't even shave, I've always waxed. She doesn't have overly hairy legs, just the usual fluff all 8yo's have. She has fair skin and fair hair on her legs. She has no hair under her arms. But she is so self conscious of her legs she is still insisting on wearing her winter uniform pants to school everyday and it's far too warm for long pants (we're on the Gold Coast). I'm assuming the idea is coming from someone at school.
I'm trying my best to get her to love herself the way she is, as I have always tried to do. But obviously that hasn't worked.
I don't want her shaving as it will grow back all stubble like. But I think waxing will be too painful. I'm so torn with how to help her. Do girls ever shave their legs at 8? What would you do? Thanks so much for your help and advice!! From one very lost and out of her depth, Mumma xx
8 year old wanting to shave her legs
8 year old wanting to shave her legs
Posted in:
Kids
15 Replies
P.s. She only just turned 8 in July.
What about the hair removal creams? Do you have a beautician you could book her into, and maybe she could emphasise the fact that she doesn't need to shave? I'm not sure what you can do to be honest, because you sound like you are doing everything right. However you don't want her going behind your back and shaving and hurting herself (that's what I did when I was 11)
How does she even know to be self conscious about this. I wouldn’t let my 8 year old shave/wax or use hair removal cream. She’s 8 I’d be more focused on why she’s so self conscious about it. What behaviours do you display about your legs. Do you make a fuss when they’re even slightly hairy? 8 year olds shouldn’t be worrying about hair on their legs.
My best friend has no hair on her legs but her 9yo has a little bit of hair and it was noticed by other kids at school and sport to the point where the girl refused to participate in sport altogether. She ended up shaving her legs without her parents knowing 🤷♀️ then after they found out, they helped her with hair removal creams etc. It's not always parents who the the problem.
I have spoken to my daughter about it, and apparently it's coming from one particular girl in her class unfortunately.
I am not self-conscious at all about my legs, or underarms. She quite often sees me out in public with my legs in shorts, overdue for a wax 🙈
That totally makes sense, if it’s one girl in the class making a deal out of it. Maybe get the teacher to chat to that girl. In the mean time just tell your daughter to wish that said child grows a moustache and grows hairs so long and black on her chin that just won’t let up 🤣 in all kindness I think it’s important to remind your daughter that others opinions are not the be all and end all and that all she needs to know is that she is loved and cherished by you. That the little girl has some issues or doesn’t have the same support at home and if it is really really bothering her that you can find a way to make her more comfortable but shaving is not the way to go abOut it and that hair removal can be painful. My daughters leg hairs are quite dark and she’s 6 it’s herditory from her dads side. I have European heritage and mine were blonde until puberty. But my daughters have been dark since she was 2. I know I’ll have to help her especially in high school but I’m also hoping our small school environment is good enough that she isn’t in the same position as your daughter.
She can still love herself the way she is and shave. I’m going to go against the grain and say let her, I got underarm hair younger than most (around 8) and I still remember being teased for it as my mum thought I was too young to shave. I’ve shaved my whole life, my leg hair still grows back blonde and is not thick or coarse and I’ve been shaving for a good 20 years.
Okay as a mother of an 8 year old daughter my first thought is Hell no. But In all honesty if it was causing distress and upset I most certainly would get her some hair removal cream. It's only hair after all and to me it wouldn't be worth her being sad over something so minor.
I have a 7 year old girl. I totally agree with what you have said!
My daughters are 8 and 10, I don't even think they're aware leg hair is a thing lol, although my girls have olive skin and little blonde leg and arm hairs so...
Look, I'd have a good chat with her. Let her know that hair removal is something we do because we want to, not because everyone else (aka, some girl in her class) is doing it. I'd explain the realities too, once you start shaving that's it, they don't grow back with that same fluffiness, they're sharp, poky, itchy and more noticeable so you kinda have to keep doing it.
If it were my girls asking, i would probably say no.
My daughter is 8 and this has never even crossed her mind. I’d be trying to get to the bottom of it and see if someone is teasing her. Maybe have a chat to the teacher to see what she/he has seen or knows. Your daughter may not say anything
I also personally wouldn’t let my daughter shave but would offer her waxing if it came to that after id spoken with the school and tried positive self talk etc.
OP here. So, after another hot weekend with my daughter in leggings I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and let her use hair removal cream. She's not even comfortable wearing shorts at home, around her family. So, my next question is does anyone have any recommendations for a gentle, child friendly, hair removal cream? 😔
What about an electric razor? That's how my mum started me off. No chemical burns then.
My daughter is 8 and has very dark leg hair, she has been asking me for a while and I have said no. I have said no because she asks for a week and says it makes her feel bad and a girl in her class teases her about it. I told her to politely tell the girl that she doesn’t like it when she talks about her hairy legs and to please stop. This didn’t work. I told her to say “I can shave the hair off my legs but you are always going to be stuck with that face” .... so far she hasn’t asked to shave again 😂 not sure if she ever said it. But I haven’t heard anything else. It seems harsh but I feel like the lesson was to stick up for herself and the way her body looks. The other reason I have not given in is because it seems important to her on and off. She will ask and then not ask again for ages. I feel if it were that important to her and a persistent problem I would get her some cream. Maybe ride it out for a few months and see if it’s still important to her or if there is someone who needs to be reminded of how to play nicely 😁
Unsure one of mine refuses she is 16 the other is 11 and is still denying she shaves. I swear she has been since 9yo. She uses regular razors(not that she does if we ask her) she hasn't ever cut her self .