Ziggy Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I think there is no doubt that an 11 year old is still a child, but then if she feels embarrassed or self-conscious about hairy legs, it's best to help her and make her feel good about herself... I was always very hairy, and my mum insisted I wore skirts and socks (no tights cause they got torn all the time on splinters on school desk chairs) and I just felt totally awful back then at that same age... I felt like a gorilla escaped from the zoo!! Once one is old enough to feel self-conscious about something, one is, in my view, old enough to do something about it (I'm not talking plastic surgery here, just regular body maintenance)... I just remember how I cringed about my own legs at that age, and how the result was that I decided not to wear a skirt EVER again... that lasted way beyond the time I actually started hair removal, till I reached age 19... 7 years in jeans!!! As for waxing, I wouldn't actually go along with what most people say here... of course if she is up to it and can bear it, fine... but it is very painful, costs a fair amount (compared to a shaver that lasts for years), and requires going somewhere to have it done... a shaver is needed more often, but can be used as and when needed in one's own bathroom... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lailapet Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Sophia will be 11 in February, but she is blonde and so might not worry too much about shaving her legs yet. I think hyour daughter should be allowed, but it really IS up to you as you know her best. I remember being 11 myself and starting my periods then too. I have always been very hairy and dark, so it WAS a big issue for me. I remember using my dad's electic razor and it was hopeless, then Veet cream and finally the cheap bic razors... I usually waitied till the hairs grew back a few mm inbetween shaving and often cut myself on my shins. Then I read somewhere about someone who ran a razor over her legs, very lightly, every time she had a shower and I have incorporated that habit into my own routine. If I miss one hair one day I'll get it the next and it's no big deal. My mum was never supportive about shaving under arms or on legs (well, this IS Denmark and we're on the continent where hairy legs and armpits never seemed so much of a big deal a few years back). She has never commented on me doing it. But she DID tell me about periods before the school did so she knew which battles were important for her, like some of you have said. Laila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I think it's great that your daughter has asked your opinion. I think it's a positive and that talking about this like "grown ups" and paves the way for the future. My daugher hasn't asked yet. She's 11 years old and is still a "child" but not in the same way as I was all those years ago. They have access to so much more information than we ever did. I personally would say yes, but once she starts there's no going back as it's a new routine to do regularily. I can't really remember when I started shaving my legs but it was definately at secondary school so somewhere from 12-16 ish. Peer pressure is an awful thing, I have my "school friends" to thank for bunions from squeezing my feet into grey stilletto heels at secondary school..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I would recommend waxing. I use those reusable wax strips you get in Boots or supermarkets (Veet I think?). They are very easy to use when you get used to it and it doesn't hurt at all now on the legs (underarms are slightly different but the hair grows back so slowly I only have to do them every few months ). There are big areas on my legs where no hair grows at all now although, sadly, some hairs just won't give up . There is a real technique to doing the underarms but once you've cracked it, it's great only having to do it a few times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 yet another taboo subject tackled by the Omlet forum then I'm a bad mother and don't remember discussing any of this with my 3 daughters, although I have bought them depilatory creams, so I suppose i must have done. Not at 11 though, definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 My daughter and I discussed this with a beautician last week (we went for pampering, it was my daughter's birthday!) Lauren is just 10 and her eyebrows are growing very bushy and dark and wants to do something about them. The beautician recommended minimal waxing as the hair will eventually stop growing. Some girls are developing very early these days and do need some help. As someone said........ save the battles for something more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 As other people have admitted, I had very thick dark hairs on my legs and was very concious. I think I actually pinched my mum's electric razor and did my arms as well at the same time (not my under arms, my arms!!! - I know, nightmare) I was on a guide camp when the arm hair started growing back, and it was just awful. It's good to talk about things so that they don't do such a stupid thing themselves! (eg that hair comes back spiky and uncomfortable!) My daughter will no doubt be early to ask for such things (she's a very old 8 at the moment, going on 16) as she has dark thick hair. I've never got on with waxing personally, but it's each to their own Good luck with whatever is decided! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlover Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 poor lass has had second thoughts on the waxing , so we went through the argos catalogue last night and she has picked out a nice little lady shaver as there is no way im going to let her anywhere near a bic razor, she is already into make up ect (even thought her dad hates it) its just hard when its your first daughter to let it go and except that she is finally growing up, and to add to my dismay my last baby turned 4 this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 its just hard when its your first daughter to let it go and except that she is finally growing up You are so right. I found it hard when my eldest went through all of this,but it was so much easier when my younger daughter did. I just think you need to take a deep breath & step back,to let them grow up & make their own mistakes sometimes. We just need to be there for advice & to pick up the pieces on occassion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Wise words Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I like the sound of your plan Shona but somehow i dont think it will work You might just need a Plan B! Plan B - let her eat as much junkfood and rubbish as she wants, refuse to let her exercise, refuse to buy spot cream. Let the pounds pile on, let the pustules erupt over her face, leaving her with no choice but to stay at home. Not that I've sat and thought about it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Cunning Plan!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have a friend who has very dark thick hair, lucky thing Unfortunately this also grows on her face and her eyebrows are very thick and unruly. She has hers' threaded' rather than waxed, she says it is virtually painless and doesn't grow back for ages I have no idea if 'threading' would work for leg hair, might take a long time to do it My mother wouldn't let me shave my legs or armpits, she bought me Veet cream, which stank One of the many benefits or becoming a more mature woman is that unwanted hair sort of disappears Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 One of the many benefits or becoming a more mature woman is that unwanted hair sort of disappears Tessa Yeah, it just pops up somewhere else that you don't want it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 As long as it's just the unwanted Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 One of the many benefits or becoming a more mature woman is that unwanted hair sort of disappears Tessa Yeah, it just pops up somewhere else that you don't want it! Too true Clare I am trying very hard to find positive things to say about getting ancient Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 One of the many benefits or becoming a more mature woman is that unwanted hair sort of disappears Tessa Yeah, it just pops up somewhere else that you don't want it! Too true Clare I am trying very hard to find positive things to say about getting ancient Tessa Arguments! Age and deceit will always win over youth and skill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
