Hair me out | Mum Blog


Search

Search Forum

Mums Say Groups

Best of Kidspot

Hair me out

Posted 9:03 AM on Thu-23-Feb-2012

Every parent makes decisions for their teen, and for the most part it's in the child's best interest. No trips to town on school nights - I get that. No cellphone until you're 16 - I get that. Boy in bedroom, door says open - I totally get THAT! There are some things though that I think "does it really matter"?

One of these things is teenage girls and leg shaving. I remember being a bit shy to ask if I could shave my legs, from memory a friend asked my ma for me! My Ma was one of those inconvenient mothers who used an electric shaver. Not exactly quiet and not like I could sneak and borrow it without her knowing!

So, what exactly is the big deal about the right 'age' to start leg shaving? I think I was around 13-14 from memory. I know once you start, you have to keep it up, and that looks aren't everything but some mothers out there need to get with the programe! I remember one girl I did athletics with who had the worlds hairiest legs, not to mention armpits. She was very self conscious about it too, while we'd all sit at the track with our legs outstretched doing warm ups, she'd choose to warm up down the back somewhere near a tree, then on her return would sit with her arms wrapped around her legs in a desperate attempt to hide her shag pile.

It's a rough time being a teenager. Of course not everyone can be (or wants to be) in the cool crowd, but there are certainly things which can make life a little less harrowing for those seemingly long high school years. I think simple things like a young lady shaving/waxing her legs certainly can make a difference to her confidence.

Go JO!

Posted by GoMummyJo

Back to GoMummyJo's Profile

Report Inappropriate Content

hillys - 2:39 PM on Mon-27-Feb-2012

Some girls develop pretty early! My girl has develop alot black hairs legs and private area. I felt really sorry for her as I was late developer I never had any hairs?period at 15 years old so I was Lucky! She keep on telling me hairs making her very unhappy and I keep on telling her a lie! It fine my dear! keep brushing it off!
Then she lost her confidence trying to hide her legs with long pants in HOT SUMMER! then I really realise she not stupid! so I let her us my Silk-epil hair removing shaving that pluck all the hair off! only on her legs. Also now and then she get her arms wax off! I notice she wear shorts and feel so much better! I told her just as long you dont touch daddys shaver they make you pricky like daddys face! so far I hope not she gonna get her period! early! I think is cruel! Hopefully she not gonna complain about her private area! Does anyone child have the same problems. my oldest sister went through same thing as my girl and they are both similar with their problems. ps. (my girl only 8yrs old)

goddess588 - 12:38 AM on Mon-27-Feb-2012

Thanks for prompting me to discuss this with my 12 year old - I'm going to tell her all the options. I first shaved my legs aged 13, and 'peeled' off a strip of skin the whole length of my shin on the first stroke. I don't want my girl to do that! I didn't ask my mother because I knew she wouldn't mind me shaving them. In fact she was so cool and so aware of what my needs were that she took me to get my very blonde eyelashes tinted when I was 14 (and every 6 weeks afterwards, and she paid!) after I turned out to be allergic to mascara.
My daughter's beauty concerns are going to be so different to mine - she's inherited the dark and hairy gene from her father's side - but like my mother, I'm going to let her do whatever she wants to as long as it's not permanent. I've already told my kids that they'll have to wait until they're 18 if they want piercings (apart from the ears) and tattoos.

mumof6 - 10:43 AM on Fri-24-Feb-2012
I remember my mum not wanting us girls to start shaving or anything like that until we were older. We started at College after a girl mentioned I had hairy legs :P!!

jopukeko - 8:26 PM on Thu-23-Feb-2012
I remember using mum's razor and cutting a huge chunk of skin out of shin which bleed and bleed. I still have a faint scar nearly 30 years later. I wish my mum had given me some tips.

SarahK - 7:06 PM on Thu-23-Feb-2012

Yup i agree too. My eldest has been shaving her legs and my now 11 year old is just starting to think about it. I told her when she was ready, just ask and I'd buy her a razor and give her some tips. She said cool how about for my 12th brithday :P.
I remember my my mum really not wanting me to shave my legs. wanting me to wait until i was 15 or something rediculous like that. I started shaving when i was about 11 or 12, after buying my own razor with my pocket money :P

thecoffeelady - 10:58 AM on Thu-23-Feb-2012
I agree with letting them do harmless things like shaving their legs as soon as they want to really, I remember it made a huge difference to my self esteem. I think I was about 11-12 from memory when I started.

karinlee - 10:30 AM on Thu-23-Feb-2012

This is something I am going through with my 11 year old. It just amazes me how quick they grow up. I would have never shaved my legs at 11 - would not have even thought about it. I think I started when i first went to high school, but didn't really need too as I had blond hair and you could not really see it anyway... :)
I agree it can do wonders for their confidence, but some parents would like to think that their children are not growing up!!!

Member Login

Email:

Password:

Remember Me

CalciYum Milk

Be a Reviewer!

CalciYum Milk is perfect for kids on the go, with calcium to build strong bones plus Vitamin D and natural dairy protein for growth and development. Plus, no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners! Register to be a reviewer now!

Get a number

Saving is childs play

The kids could help you find out your power bill saving. But then you might have to spend it on them. The average annual household saving is $165 per year, what will yours be? Find out at whatsmynumber.org.nz.

Save and Spend

Power Savings

If you switched power companies how much would you save? The average annual household saving on whatsmynumber.org.nz is $165 per year! So what would you spend it on? There's a number for everyone, what's yours?

Chat to Win!

Meet The One

Tip Top's The One and Kidspot are offering members the chance to win their own copy of Helen Jackson's Kitchen cookbook. Come over to Meet The One and be in to win. Click here to find out more.

Great Grandparents

Nominations open

Nominate your child's grandparent and tell us why you think they deserve a special treat. Kidspot and Bliss™ Reflexology are offering one lucky grandparent a serene 60 minute traditional Chinese Reflexology treatment. Click here to enter!

	Recent Topics
	(# Comments)

	The Wiggles farewell three members (6)
	Terms and Conditions of the Doc McStuffins Group (2)
	Katherine Heigl names her baby! It's a tad Australian! (2)
	Where's the best place to be a mum? (4)
	The 'birds and the bees' talk from your parents (7)
	New photos: Nicole Kidman and baby Faith (3)
	Winners announced - Hamilton Women's Lifestyle Expo (1)
	Week 3 - Grandparents are great! Nominate now (29)

View more Recent Topics

	Recent Blogs
	(# Comments)

	Enrich Life With Monster Beats dr.dre (0)
	EBay Fashion Vaul (0)
	Happy (0)
	Help! She's Missing! (1)
	In perspective (2)
	Frozen! (1)
	He loves me. (2)
	How do I tell the kids? (6)

View more Recent Blogs

	Popular Topics
	(# Comments)

	Read the Reviews for The Muppets (155)
	Week 1: Imaginative ways to play - enter to win! (90)
	Week 2: Toys that have stood the test of time - enter to win! (83)
	Week 3 - Share your favourite way to use bread (55)
	Week 2: Share your best recipe for lunchbox sandwich fillings (48)
	Week 1 - Mums the Word! Winner announced (46)
	Week 1: How did you know when you had met THE ONE? Winner announced (36)
	Week 2 - Just because I Love You! Winner announced (36)

View more Popular Topics