Let me start out by saying not everyone is going to agree with this, I am okay with that. I said I wouldn't ever do it...and then today happened. I guess that is why they say "Never say never!"
Let us start at the beginning...
Our Van has very hairy legs. Even though she is blonde, her hair on her legs after the long summer is very noticeable. She has attempted to shave her legs once, but it was a long time ago.
This morning she woke up, and came to snuggle with me on the couch. We all know what a shaved leg feels like after a few days...yup, that is what I was feeling on Van. Weird. I question her "did you shave your legs?" she responds "no." Mmm, that's odd. I can tell on her face she is hiding something. When I give her the "Mom look" she crumbles..."Mom, I cut my hairs with my scissors!" I instantly wonder why of course, and her response was what really got me "I was wearing a skirt, and it didn't look good."
I waited for Paul to wake up to discuss with him, and decide what to do.
After much thought, we decided that I would shave Van's legs.
She was one happy girl, and proudly annouced to Paul that her legs had been shaved.
Paul and I were in shock that things like this happen so young.
Yes, we could have decided to not let her start shaving so young, but I also want her to not be embarassed by things that are easily fixed. Maybe she won't think about doing it again, but if she does she will know that she doesn't have to hide it from us...
This parenting gig is hard.
12 comments:
I think it's OK. It's not like she asked for a boob job.
thank goodness that hasn't happened.
we have had the discussion about where a baby comes out of, that went over really well. =)
WHOA! I honestly have NO idea what I would do, I would just be scared to death that she would cut herself so as long as you do it, I guess its not so bad? You probably got lucky that she didn't cut herself with the scissors....
Oh don't feel bad. Better coming from you guys (the parents) than a persuasive older sister! Our sister waxed my sisters leg (just one strip before it was too painful), "nair"ed her arms, and then my little sister cut her own eyelashes and shaved off one of her eye brows. Yikes.
I remember being in 7th grade and not shaving my legs and getting teased for it...so if it makes Van feel better, go for it!
(ps super sad I missed you and Kamie on Saturday. Hope you guys had a blast, we'll have to get together sometime!)
I had a friend in grade school who got teased all the time because of her 'hairy legs'. We were probably 10 years old. That's when I started shaving my legs- because I didn't want to get teased, too!
I say if it bothers her and it's something easily taken care of, why not? Kids have enough other stuff to worry about (or be embarrassed of, teased for).
As was said before- it's not like she asked for plastic surgery!
I was the same....super dark, super hairy legs. I started shaving at 8 years old because I was so self-conscious and was getting some teasing about it. My mom showed me how and I asked for her help the first several times. No worries!!
I wonder when I am going to do that for Abby. Hers are incredibly hairy... I remember when I was a nanny that a little girl would go get her legs waxed at age eight and I thought it was weird. She was latin and had very very dark hair on her legs. Ya know what though, now it makes sense. I am hoping Abby doesn't notice for awhile but if she does and it bugs her, we will figure something out! Actually now that I am thinking about it my sister Sarah had super hairy legs and my DAD actually would help her (at age like 6) rub nair on her to get it off. It was like a bonding experience! ;)
Fortunately I haven't had to worry much about this, but I have no idea what I would do. If it didn't bother my daughter, I'd probably let it go. But if it were a real issue, we would totally do something about it. A child's self-esteem is so fragile, you do what you have to do to protect it!
oh i'm 'right there with you. I've shown you kenslees legs, and I'm already debating shaving that off!!
i wanted mine shaved when i was really young. now i could care less(poor ben) but who cares shaving legs is not a big deal. you are such a cute little mommy!
Jill- you crack me up!
I see nothing wrong with this. In fact I think you rock.
We did the same thing for our younger daughter. I waited until she asked me about it though because I didn't want to call attention to something that maybe she wasn't noticing yet.
Good job! I am sure that Van appreciates it so much!!
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