Is 8 Years Old Too Young?

If it bothers her let her shave, if not, don't make a deal about it. As long as SHE is comfortable with her body and self, that's what matters.

I think the main issue is... does it bother her? Do you notice if she is self conscious about it? Has she brought it up to you?

If it does bother her, then by all means, support her and teach her about shaving. She is at an age where we do what we can to help with self esteem issues, even if they sometimes look more grown up than they are.

If she could care less about it at this point, then let it go until she brings it up.

They grow up fast! Best wishes

Has SHE said anything about it bothering HER? If not, don't bring it up.
The right time and age to shave is IF and when SHE is bothered by her body hair.
If that's 8, it's 8. If that's never, it's never.
There is no reason that anyone, male or female NEEDS to remove body hair unless s/he WANTS to.

I waited till my daughters asked to shave (13 and 11) before teaching them. For one it was when her friends started shaving, for the other, it was when the hair started to annoy her.

When she is ready, she'll ask.

Another vote for letting it be up to her.

This is her personal decision, if she is fine and hasn't mentioned it don't say a word.

I never understand parents putting an "appropriate" age on this type of stuff. Every once in while there's a question on here "Should I let my daughter start shaving her legs?". Drives me crazy, why is this act tied to a certain age?

The appropriate age is when the person with the hairy legs decides they want to start shaving. Could be at eight or it could be never!

One of mine has the same thing. She's going on 10 now and while I know it bothers her a little, I've told her she can shave when she wants and so far she isn't in a hurry. Same with her unibrow. And she's a pretty vain little girl... So I'd wait until she brings it up. I bet they see other girls with the same thing so don't worry about it too much.

I would wait until she brings it up. If she brings it up then let her shave. If you bring it up first, she might start to feel self-conscious.

Let her lead the way on this. It is actually becoming more common for many young woman to skip shaving (young adult woman even). I would not mention it to her or around her and just let her decide if and when she is wanting to shave. When and if she is ready she will mention it to you, but as long as she is not uncomfortable with the hair there is no reason to push it.

Follow her lead, when it bothers her is when you can guide her, in the mean time let her keep being an oblivious child :-)

I have always let my daughters shave when they felt they wanted to shave. It isn't like the when in any way effects their life in the long run.

Don't mention shaving to her--- let her bring it up to you when she's ready.

I was just kvetching with some ladies about how much of a PITA shaving our legs is. Considering the weather will be changing, pants will be the norm. Don't worry about it and please don't make her self-conscious about it.

My DD has visible hair. I will discuss shaving with her when it bothers her, something I expect to address in the next 3-4 years (by middle school). I wouldn't bother with anything unless she says something.

She should not start shaving unless it is bothering her. If she hasn't mentioned it, don't say anything about it.

We females have enough time to worry about our looks -- no need to start the process prematurely.

My sister had very hairy legs. Her hair was black, too. She asked when she was in the 3rd grade. My mom thought that it was for the teen years, and she told her no. It was a mistake.

Kids made fun of my sister. She wore dresses and skirts to school (no pants back then) and my mother still regrets that she wasn't more understanding.

As soon as your daughter broaches the subject, take her shpping for the right tools. Do your homework first and pick the right stuff. Do it with her and help her learn not to cut herself.

My daughter just turned 9 and also has a lot of darker hair on her legs. She loves wearing dresses and the hair on her legs doesn't bother her one bit.

I would say wait until she feels uncomfortable about it. Let her stay a kid as long as she can. I would also let your BF know to not say anything that will make her embarrassed, etc..

I agree with the other moms - leave it until she mentions it.

The only time I've mentioned something to my kids was about hygiene. One of my sons just wasn't keeping up with it and I didn't say it to make him uncomfortable or self-conscious, rather hygiene ... you have to mention delicately sometimes. Hasn't been an issue since. There are gentle ways to go about that.

Hair ... different matter. A kid could get really self conscious about it where she'd never thought of it before. Also, it's such a pain to shave - I can't imagine mine at that age wanting to take that on, much less being able to handle a razor (maybe mine aren't that coordinated).

There was a question on here recently about a boy who was young and had a birthmark - I think it was on his lip. I know as parents we sometimes want to go in and help before anyone says anything about it (spare the kids some grief) but there's bliss in ignorance right? Let them be oblivious as long as they can be - and hopefully by the time someone does mention something (if they should happen to) they will be confident enough to let it roll of their backs.

Good luck :)

my niece just turned 10 over the summer. she asked to start shaving and her mom agreed that she could start. she has dark hair and on the legs it was super noticeable.
i would wait till she asks to do it. she may not care if shes got hair or she may not want to bother with shaving yet.
i hate it, and usually wore leggings or knee highs with my skirts so i didn't have to do it as often. now i use an electric razor it does not give me super smooth legs but i can wear shorts and not worry about it.

Let her come to you, will likely want to shave before middle school.

Only if she asks. And then let her.

i see from the SWH that i don't need to respond!
:D
good for you for waiting for her to want to.
:) khairete
S.

I always had thick hair on my legs and armpits. My Mom had very thin hair on her legs and rarely shaved her pits. I desperately wanted to shave and asked her if I could she literally blew me off. I was so embarrassed to raise my hand in class or let anyone see my legs and grew up when girls had to wear dresses or skirts to school every day. I just wanted to hide.

Since your daughter hasn't mentioned it you could do a wait and see approach or you could have an easy lightweight conversation with her. Tell her you have noticed the amount of hair on her legs and ask if she is ready to start shaving. If she is show her how to shave safely. She may not have said anything because she is embarrassed or it doesn't bother her.
But let her decide.

my daughters both started shaving about that age, they did it once on their own and so then I showed them how to do it safely - they both also shaved their arms since they didn't like how dark their hair was there... my sister did the same thing way back when so I was prepared for them to do it

My very tall for her age 9 year old has hairy legs too. She had mentioned it and said I guess I should shave them. She doesn't insist, so I haven't brought it up. Soon I will find her an electric shaver to avoid the razor problems.

You can only see the hair in the sunlight.