10 years old and wanting to shave her legs

Charity - posted on 04/18/2010

I have an 11 year old daughter I just started letting her shave her legs. My rule for it was that when the hair started turning dark that was when I would allow it. I thisnk if it helps her feel better about her self then why not let her do it. It is not going to hurt her. As for waxing it would last longer my daughter did not want to wax and I let it be her decision. If she wants to do it one day I will take her but I have left it to her.
Hope that this helped a little

Terri - posted on 04/18/2010

I don't see what the big deal is. My gosh my 13 yo is almost done w/ 8th grade and hasn't started menstruation. If she didn't shave she'd never hear the end of it w/ classmates! My youngest just turned 11 but I did let her shave last summer a couple times. She'd been asking for over a year to get Nair or something (seeing it on commercials) and I imagine someone must have said something to her to make her self concious (she is pretty hairy, has been since birth). I wasn't too comfortable w/ the chemicals either in the dilipatories but we have the more expensive razors and I never even use cream and never cut myself. She's mentioned recently she needed to shave before going to a waterpark and I was like, whatever, it doesn't matter. It's not worth their self esteem to hold on to some "age" we grew up with when EVERYTHING starts earlier now.

Erin - posted on 04/18/2010

I started at 12, but Im a blonde. Depends on her hair color, thickness of the hair and if she's being made fun of...
I do not see a lot of harm in it. Children develop so much faster these days (physically) due to all the growth hormones in our food. It's just the way it is now.

Connie - posted on 04/18/2010

I agree with the other lady, I talked to my 9yr. old about her wanting to shave and also told her she didn't have to worry about that until menstruation. Hopefully this will settle it, I agree it's probably peer pressure.

Christy - posted on 04/17/2010

Yeah I have a 10 yr too that want to do the same thing she about to be 11 in Aug. I understand cause my parents didn't allow me til I was 14. But I know how kids are in school. So I was thinking about letting her but have her wear shorts and show her how or I would shave her legs because I don't want her to cut herself Im still thinking about it though but if I do decide I'm going be around everytime til she 12.

Heather - posted on 04/17/2010

My daughter asked to start shaving at 9 or 10. I thought about it a little and saw no reason not to let her. I have had many friends, male and female, that just don't like hair. I kind of feel the same way, at least about excessive amounts of hair. I also asked her why she wanted to, and she told me that the hair just bothered her when she wore shorts and skirts cause it looked like a boys legs. I dug out my old electric razor cause it seemed safer for her age and I let her start. Having shaved legs is nothing more than a hygiene thing, unless you teach them that it means more than that. She is 12 now and is no more "grown up" than any of the other girls her age. It showed her that I understood her feelings, as well.

Tara - posted on 04/17/2010

My 11yr old started shaving her legs at 10. she always wearing dresses to school and her legs were very hairy. At first I did it for her and now she does it herself.

Shona - posted on 04/17/2010

I have a 12 year old daughter who has been shaving since she was 9....mostly because she has dark hair and it showed A LOT before she started shaving! I had actually taken her to her pediatrician for a sprained ankle and he made the comment that "someone needs to start shaving!" I left the doc's office and went straight to wal-mart to buy her a razor.... I bought her the Schick Intuition to start with and she never cut herself with it... it is kind of pricey to buy the refills but it's worth it for her not to slice her legs up! I also have a 10 year old who has not started shaving yet....she has blonde hair and it barely shows up, so i am postponing letting her shave for as long as I possibly can! I think you should use your best judgement.... if you aren't ready for her to shave yet and she's not being made fun of at school then don't let her... On the other hand if you think her legs are "too hairy" or if it's extremely noticeable and you think her peers may be giving her grief then buy a razor you are comfortable with her using and teach her how it's done.... you may be letting your baby grow up but at least you are bonding with her in the process....nothing beats that mother/daughter bond!

Lisa - posted on 04/17/2010

Why does a 10 year old need to shave? Who is she trying to impress?
IMO, girls don’t need to shave until about 13 or 14. They are just getting acquainted with their new growing bodies and shaving is almost a right of passage to that. Like getting your period, shaving should be a momentous occasion that should be experienced at the proper time. If we allow our young daughters to dictate to us based on their personal needs rather than us dictate to them by experience, then we have lost the battle. We must no only set rules and guidelines, but we must keep to them. I know she may feel like she is right at a whopping 10, but is she right or the advice of other parents?
I know she wants to grow up and she has plenty of time to do it.


First, find out the real reason that she wants to shave. I will bet it is because of peer pressure rather than her own desires. You know kids grow up so fast anyways and then you put them into a fast paced world and it seems like they are spinning out of control. Stop the madness! If your rule is after 15 then stick to it.

Here is the key, you must have a honest talk with your daughter and explain why you do not feel it is best for her. You must let her give her reasons why she wants it done. If there is a way for you to perhaps compromise and when she becomes a teenager she can shave then do that. She will feel like she has been heard and you will still make her wait a bit longer. The bottom line is you are the parent and they need to have respect for your decisions as the person who is trying to keep them safe. You need to have some sort of back up plan in case she decides to dishonor you and let her know what that will be. That way, once you have come to a decision about it, if she goes and shaves, she will know what the consequence will be ahead of time.

Lisa - posted on 04/16/2010

I don’t let my 12yo shave her legs, when younger I was not allowed to shave until I was 15 but ended up sneaking and doing it when I was 14. The way I put it to my DD was she can’t shave until she starts her menstruation, before this I will only allow her to wax this makes the decision hers. I’m still dubious about this but that said I also agree that sometimes you have to pick your battles and only forc the point when it’s REALLY important.

Nadia - posted on 04/16/2010

My daughters are 11 and 12, and the 11-year-old has been asking to shave her legs lately. I know if I said "no" and did not let her, that she would eventually sneak and shave her legs and end up hurting herself, as that is exactly what I ended up doing when I was a little girl. I did not want her to use a razor as she could hurt herself. I also did not want to do the waxing as it does really hurt, I do not even like it. I also looked at the creams but was not comfortable with her using chemicals. So, I decided to buy an electric razor especially for women for shaving legs. It was about $70.00 Canadian at Walmart. It worked out great. She can use it in the shower and I do not have to worry about her hurting herself... I still feel that 11 is a bit young but I have to choose my battles and this one just seemed like it was one "yes" and small step to feeling a bit more grown up that I could give her...