my daughter just asked if she could start shaving. what should I do?

Question

She asked me and i said i'd think about itt. She's turning 13 in about 4 months, and wants to shave her legs. I dont know what to say

Answer 1

Its all part of growing up! Let her have free will! The more you let her do things the more she will do right! FACT

Answer 2

Unfortunatley these days girls have more concern about their esthetic appearance from media, TV, videos, magazines etc. When I was growing up, shaving wasn't a concern for me until late teens.
But anyway, if she feels more comfortable without the hair, then show her how to properly do this without alot of judgement. She could use lady razors or try Nair or Veet to start with (though I hate the smell!)
So she doesn't become overly obsessed with this practise, I would let her know a couple times a month or so is fine for shaving your legs. Younger girls shouldn't need much more until their hormones get more involved in the mid-late teens. If she has darker/coarser hair, it might be more of a situation to talk with a skin/hair specialist or even your doctor.
She should also know that it is very normal to have hair on your body, and that doesn't make a woman more attractive or sexy, just because she shaves.

Answer 3

That's when I started shaving. If her leg hair shows, let her do it. Most kids her age will be shaving by the time school starts. It isn't that big of a deal. She will probably do it anyway, so why not show her how? My Godmother told me I should start shaving. I didn't even realize I should until she said something (my mother passed when I was young, so my dad wasn't one to go for those things). If she doesn't, she liable to get made fun of and then she will just butcher her legs for lack of knowledge.

Answer 4

Yes -- I started shaving my legs at 13. It is age-appropriate. Your daugther is an adolescent and a young lady now. She will benefit from support from you as she steps into maturity. This is an important rite of passage psychologically. You can help your relationship with your daughter, as she becomes a teenager, by offering to pay for (not buy) the razor (electric) or razors and shaving cream. Do not make a big deal about it, e.g., cry -- this could embarrass her. Just show her, by your actions, your support for her as she matures. Good luck. P.S. There are many good books out there about parenting an adolescent girl!

Answer 5

Thirteen probably isn't too young. I started shaving my legs at age 11 because my friends told me I should. I was worried my mom wouldn't approve, so I didn't tell her I started and just sort of figured it out for myself. I didn't really mention it until I was in high school and by that point, I guess she'd figured it out.

I know you probably don't want her to have to think of that all the time, but she's growing up. It's probably better that she shaves every once in awhile than for a girl her age to be embarrassed about her legs. (It would be different if she hadn't noticed a problem yet.)

Answer 6

I think its a good time to let her start shaving shes becoming a teen and im sure that most of the girls her age are shaving because I don't think she would be asking if her friends haven't already started just let her be like all of the other girls you remember how hard it was to be a girl at that age help her out make it a little easier on her.

Answer 7

hey just get here a electronic shaver and it does not hurt as much and yes I think you should let her shave , I have a daughter that turned 13 years old in june 20 and been shaving her legs , since she was 12 years old , and if you got a shaver like yours let her use them kind , but make sure 2 tell her 2 be careful.

Answer 8

Yes, at that age she is definitely ready to shave. Most of the girls in her classes will be shaving and you wouldn't want her to be made fun of. She is probably going through puberty and it is important to treat her as a teenager. You have to learn to respect her decisions about her own body. I would go out with her and shop for a cool razor and shaving cream. Teach her how to shave properly to avoid a thousand cuts.

Answer 9

Say yes.

Ask yourself this: what's the harm? It's just leg shaving. Whether she has hair on her legs or not won't make much of a difference in her life, other than perhaps making her feel better about how she looks.

It's an annoying and time consuming expenditure of energy, so if she doesn't REALLY want it, she'll stop doing it pretty quickly.

Answer 10

Yes, it is a part of life and nature for a girl to want to do that.

Do the trusting motherly thing and show her how it is done, step by step and let her try it out for herself.

When she realizes just how much work it is, she will give it a second look and realize just how long it takes and then be turned away.

Perhaps the turnoff will be the amount of work it takes to do her own legs every 3rd day or so.

Answer 11

Tell her yes and show her how it's done. It can be a bonding moment. She asked you -- she wants your help.

I started shaving at 13 after i worked up the courage to ask my mother -- everyone at school had been making fun of my hairy legs! most other girls were already shaving.