I am going anonamous because my DD would not like it otherwise. She just turned ten and has underarm hair. I think if she wears a bathingsuit or a sleeveless top it will be very embarassing for her. What would you do? Would you recommend to her to shave? I don't know how to begin the subject with her. I don't want to upset her or hurt her feelings. But I do not think she should probably go around with this hair showing. I don't want her to be teased. Do your ten year olds have underarm hair?

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 03:20 pm:

Buy her a razor and teach her how to use it. Explain how her body is maturing and how it's generally not socially acceptable for women to have hairy arm pits. Hasn't she ever seen you shave? Oh, and if you haven't already, it's probably time to prepare her for breast growth and the start of menstruation. {{{HUGS}}}

By Anonymous on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 03:44 pm:

My daughter not only had underarm hair at 10, but was already having a period. It was really hard for her to deal with it because she is a tomboy. I wish you luck in helping your DD. I tried to help mine, but she felt so awkward about it and didn't want to talk about it. She is starting to open up, but it is baby steps. My DD is very/very modest and generally only wears tee shirts with big sleeves.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 04:26 pm:

I got my period at 11, so I was in your DDs position at that age. I would agree that your best bet is to buy her razors (personally, we use the store brand of the disposable 3 blade, less razor burn, and not too pricey!) and teach her to shave. Be honest with her about the changes her body is growing through, explain to her that she is growing up, and you have to shave under your arms, and that having hair under her arms can lead to excess body odor. She SHOULD already be learning about these things in health class, my sister is that age and starting to take the gender-separated health classes to learn about puberty, but my mom has been talking to her for a couple years because the women in our family tend to start young. Good luck, and hugs to both of you.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 05:39 pm:

Ditto Trina and Crystal...

By Anonymous on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:02 pm:

I think my older daughter had to start shaving around 11. I would get a razor and show her how to do it. Her sister started at 12. I think the younger one had to start shaving last summer. I think I had to do it the first time for both of them. Then they did it themselves.

By Annie2 on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 09:22 pm:

Ditto Trina and Crystal. I've been there twice already and awaiting for the third's turn...

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 01:16 am:

I was thinking about this, and I'm surprised she hasn't asked to shave yet already! I distinctly remember begging my mom to let me shave my legs at 10, and at first she said not until I got my period, but she did end up allowing me to shave before then. Also, if memory serves me, underarm and pubic hair were followed really closely by my first cycle, so a good heart to heart is in order there.

By Kaye on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 07:20 am:

My dd is 12, and I mentioned last summer about her shaving her legs. She said no, I don't want to. Okay...LOL. I am of this view point. I would mention very casually that I noticed you had underarm hair, or now that you are 10 you get to shave, do you want to talk over your options. But ultimately it is her body, don't MAKE her do anything. My dd just asked about a month ago about maybe buying some Veet. I said she, she said she would let me know. I should have done it already.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 07:36 am:

Actually, I like Kaye's idea best.......

When my girls started getting hair, etc., they were more than ready to shave. We had discussed that numerous times. Jen started shaving her legs at age ten because she was dancing and competing and her legs were so *furry* - as she put it - her hair was dark and it showed, and itched underneath the dance tights.

But, in hindsight, had she not brought up shaving, I would not have forced it on her.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:31 am:

I agree with Kaye. I think we will be in this situation soon. My dd is almost 7. She already gets underarm odor if she gets sweaty She still just has light fuzzies in her underarms and pubic area. I tend to think she'll be an early bloomer.

By Bellajoe on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 03:58 pm:

Yes, definitely teach her how to shave.

No one spoke to me about this stuff and i decided to do it on my own. I guess i was too embarrassed to ask anyone. I had no idea how to shave, so i shaved dry! Ouch! I used my sister's razor. One day she must have figured out that i used it and asked me how i shaved, so i told her and she goes "You shaved DRY? Your supposed to use soap and water!" LOL

I asked my mom to buy me some deoderant after my friends told me that i smelled bad. How embarassing!!

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 09:09 pm:

Please avoid the Veet stuff, it can really burn your skin, even if you are experienced with it, and is not that great for underarm hair. However, I agree with the others that it needs to be up to her, but you need to let her know *gently* the social ramifications if she chooses not to. (BO, teasing, etc). (((Hugs again!!)))

By Anonymous on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 09:42 pm:

I am the first Anon. I have told her everything, long ago. But right now she doesn't seem to notice it or say anything about it. That is why I don't know how to bring the subject up because I don't want to hurt her feelings. I wish she didn't have to go through this at her age. She is a brand new ten. Right now she doesn't care about hygene or looking or smelling good. She does not understand why its' important. I can't wait until she suddenly wants to shower three times a day and spends hours in the bathroom!

By Mazoku85 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:24 pm:

I had underarm hair when I was 10 andstarted having my period when I was 11. So this was very normal for me. My mother let me shave it and it didn't bother me at all to shave...made me feel like a woman. I filled out fast, I had breasts at 12. Hope this was helpful....Looks like your daughter might be an early bloomer.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:45 pm:

I started talking with my daughter about this when she was around 7 and started asking questions. I also bought her a great book. I will see if I can find it tomorrow, so I can list the title. She is 11 and started growing hair last year. We use nair. She also nairs her legs about once a month. She is into dancing so the fuzzy legs were a source of embarrassment. She has been using deodorant since she was 8. My son too. In Florida, kids can smell. LOL. It is just a habit now. They shower daily and use deodorant. I would definitely remove the hair either by shaving or using nair.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 11:32 pm:

At 10, my kids didn't care if they showered or not. That really didn't come until a couple of years later. Even at 16 and nearly 14, they don't shower a couple of times a day, yet, but are definitely getting themselves in the shower.

I liked the book, "It's a Girl Thing" We talked about stuff and they both read the book, when they were interested in it and I think it helped answer the questions.

I remember being embarrassed in 7th grade, when my mom told me I needed to start wearing deoderant. My kids both needed it around 8-9, I think, especially in the summer. My kids were never that freaked out about it. My mom told me in front of my dad, though. I think it would have been less freaky, if she had just told me herself.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 11:39 pm:

Thats the book! It's a girl thing. It is a great book! My son even read it. Yes--he likes to know everything. I swear he is going to be a doctor.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 02:24 pm:

Actually, it's Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing! Sorry. by Mavis somebody. (Don't have time right now to look it up.)

By Yjja123 on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 06:56 pm:

Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing (It's a Girl Thing) (Paperback)
by Mavis Jukes