My name is Katie and I am 14 years old. I am a freshman in high school, and I dont shave. I would really like to but I am just too afraid to ask my mom. I am so embarresd by it and I need your adivce. I was wondering if I should just start (buy my own razors and go for it) or if I should just ask my mom.
Katie, go ahead and talk to your mom. You might be surprised its something she prob has not given any thought to and it is something you have. I remember being the middle sister my mom one day
said 'you need to watch your sister shave or ask what to do' oops I was so mortified. Anyway my oldest sis used Nair hair removal creams and I still use this method the best. And some company like
Jergens makes a lotion for your legs that will slow
growth of hair or something similar. Good luck. At 14 you really need to talk to your mom or if this is still too hard try a sister, Aunt or even dear old dad. Good luck and remember your mom was 14 once too!
I wish I could give you a big hug! My husband and I work with our church's youth group and I have had similar talks with a lot of girls on all subjects. You need to go to mom and say that you would like to ask her something that is very important to you and ask her to listen to you all the way before she answers. Sometimes moms tune kids out with out even meaning too. Explain maturely why you want to do this and then be willing to listen to her. I view high school as the beginning of learning how to be an adult and that means having mature conversations about mature things. I really want you think about this thing... If you can't talk to your mom about shaving how on earth are you going to talk to her about more important things like drinking, sex, friends.... ? You can do this, she is your mom and she loves you A LOT even if she doesn't always show it.
Katie, your own mother was 14 years old at one time too! She went through the exact same thing as you are going through now. It's hard to think of our parents as ever being kids, but they were. I think crys7881 had a great idea, just ask about getting razors. Don't buy cheap disposals either, because as it was already mentioned, they feel like "cheese graters" and it won't be a good experience for you!
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am a 13 year old girl and I really want to be able to shave. My legs are becoming hairy and my armpits are too. A while ago I asked my mum, but she said my hair was too fine and is not noticeable (it is) and she walked away. Since it's summer I really want to shave because we wear shorts in PE and all the other girls shave.
Any advice would be great! Xx
If I were you I would sit down with your mum and have a daughter/mum talk. Explain the situation and how important it is for you to start shaving, find out if she shaves her legs or under arms, and ask her how she would feel if she were in company and was afraid to show her legs or raise her arm.
Your Mom may feel you might be wanting to shave a little too soon. It is the majority of your life once started and she may be wanting you to hold off a little longer since your hair is fine and light colored; not so noticeable. Now that it's there, it won't go away and will continue to grow and thicken in the area. Perspiration odor will be more prevalent and you are a young lady who cares about hygiene especially now you are needing; not wanting which are two different things. Needing to begin feminine hygiene in such areas that makes you cleaner and odor free as not to offend others especially in PE where physical activity is performed. Sweating produces odor that is an obvious factor and you don't want to be embarrassed or offend others. Being cleaner is a good thing. That's how I would speak to my Mom about the topic and see if it changes her mind. I would not state that "all the other girls" do it. That's really not what a Mom wants to hear as a solid explanation as to why you feel desire to shave. Good luck with your Mom/Daughter conversation.
My dad won't let me shave, how can I ask him?
Joseph from Vienna, WA
How old are you? My grandson is 13. He approached his dad with his hands on his cheeks w/a grin and said, "Dad? I feel like.. hair. I think I can start shaving, girls don't like this, and look I'm getting a mustache. an I shave? His dad feeling all fatherly took him out to purchase a shaver. parents like honesty and for their teens
be open with them. He doesn't shave often, he knows when he needs to. Good luck! :)
How old are you and do you really need to shave? I went to school with a girl when I was growing up whose mother wouldn't allow her to shave her pits or wear deodorant. She wanted to keep her a child forever. The counselor stepped in by calling the mother and infomed her that her daughter was being shunned because of BO. Some parents just don't see their child as growing up. I say if you really need to, if it embarasses you and your father won't listen, to ask the school counselor for help. Sometimes a suggestion from another adult will go a lot farther toward being heard. When my husband was in school, they once sent home a note that said he would not be allowed to return until he came back shaved in a way that met school regulations, which were clearly defined in the note.
I am a very hairy girl. Recently many guys have told me I have a lot of hair and why don't I shave. People constantly keep eyeing my legs and hand. I'm scared to even wear half sleeved shirts, skirts, or shorts. All I wear is jeans and jackets.
I had asked my mom if she would take me to the parlour for shaving, she got really mad at me and told me that it's not time at my age (I'm in grade 8 ) and that this is all teenager's attitudes that we care about how we look and all, and then she walked away.
It would be great if anyone could tell me on how to ask my mom again and how to convince her to let me wax or shave. My elder sister was only allowed to wax when she was 16, I'm not sure if my mom will allow me too.
Please help!
You aren't too far from being 16. I believe in Grade 8, you're about 13/14.
Perhaps you can shave or wax at home. Tell your mother how you feel and that you're uncomfortable to wear half sleeve, shirts, skirts and shorts. Even though your sister shaved at 16, everyone is different and hits puberty at different ages.
However shaving/waxing is up to you. Many people also take the minimalist route and embrace hair because it's natural. It's your option to take which route you like and let your mother know your feelings.
I'm now 14 and have wanted to start shaving my legs for a long time now. I get way too nervous every time I try to ask my mum especially since I've been shaving my armpits using her shaver for years, but was too embarrassed to ask her about it.
Now I'm scared that she'll ask about that as well and I'm not sure what I should say. I just want some advice about how to ask her.Tell her you are growing up and growing more hair. You want to look well groomed, and most of the other girls in your class are shaving. If she doesn't want you to cut yourself, ask if you can use a depilatory instead.
Isn't it wonderful to get such good, supportive advice from so many ladies who have all been where you're at? The only (small) thing I can add, presuming your mum is a busy lady, is to ask if you can talk to her about something. Choose a time when she's not overwhelmed with everything, a time when she might have a quiet moment or two ... perhaps at the end of the day after everyone else has gone to bed?
Don't worry. It'll be fine.
I am 15 years and have never shaved before. I have given many clues, like my shirt's arm length is too small. I know she understood and gets the clue but all she says is "let's buy new shirts." I feel embarrassed to lift my arm and it's pretty annoying.
I kinda think about this all day and I get very self conscious. I can't ask her because i know she got my clues but she isn't bringing up the topic of shaving my armpits.At 15, if you think you're ready to shave, then you should be ready to stop dropping clues and just tell your mom how you feel. Just level with her about being self-conscious and embarrassed about your armpit hair, and tell her you are ready to start shaving and want her to teach you to do it the correct way so you don't knick yourself. If done in this way, she should be understanding and impressed with your approach, AND hopefully willing to teach you how. Good luck and be brave !!! Let us know how it goes with your mom.
Please consider that your mother has had you for 15 years and although you feel 15 is almost grown up, it's entirely possible your mother does not see you as 'almost grown up' and may not have any clue as to what she should be reading 'between the lines' when you make your comments about your shirts, etc.
You will learn as you grow older that other people may not always understand what you're hinting at and it's usually better to speak frankly when you're discussing an important issue/problem.
Pick a good time for a discussion and simple explain to your mother how much this is bothering you and actually is embarrassing on many occasions.
I believe she will respect your honesty and appreciate the fact that you did not make this move on your own without consulting her.
Try something like this first and if she does not approve then maybe she will set a date when she feels you will be old enough for this move.
Just so you know;
Most girls start shaving younger than 15 - even at 8 years old but this seems very young to me - however - I really believe this is something that needs to be a discussion between mother & daughter as all children's bodies grow-up differently, big difference in maturity and family 'customs' may also be involved.
Give your mother the benefit of the doubt and assume she did not take/understand the hints you've thrown her way.
Good luck.
I'm male, so this is kind of challenging for me. I'm unsure on whether or not she will get angry. She's seen me in a dress before and she wasn't happy about it (claimed it to be "confronting" and then talking to me about it all night and then the next day). I'm 16 - 17 in less than a month.
If it helps get a better idea of my mother; she told me after realising I cross-dress that she's "sorry" and that she "just needs time". In terms of cultural context; I'm West Australian. I want to be simple; "Hey mum, could you please wax my legs?". But I fear she may say something like "YOU'RE A BOY! BOYS DON'T DO THAT!!" and then cause a massive issue or something.
Anything is appreciated.
If you are 17, why not just do it yourself? Is she really going to notice your legs? (In my state in the USA, that is considered an adult).
Or, tell her your are thinking of it and what is her opinion?
My daughters started shaving when they felt they needed to. That was one thing I never got worried or upset about. Some parents worry about the shaving, I was more concerned on the bigger items--who their friends were, where they were, curfews, grades and such.
I am a 14 year old boy and I want to shave. I am super hairy. I don't have an older brother and don't live with my dad.
I want to ask my mom, but I am an awkward person. What do I do? The hair is driving me insane.I happen to know a lot of young men who shave because of how thick the hair is on their arms, legs, and chest. At your age, this can be very difficult and not something that is easy to deal with at all. Asking your mom could be embarrassing because she might take it the wrong way. I think the best way to attack this is to find some examples of children your age online and show how their parents allow them to shave the hair on their legs in order to fit in better at school. Explain to her how it is making you so uneasy and that you just want to try it once to see if it feels better for you. In a lot of cases, these friends of mine do not shave their legs but instead, they wax the hair on their legs and chest area.
So I am 15 and I want to shave my legs, really, really, badly. I have really dark hairy legs. My mum bought me a razor ages ago, but she never said what I can and can't shave. I do my armpits regularly, but I don't do my legs. It hasn't been bothering me lately because it's winter, but my cousins are visiting from England in a week and I would really like to have them done by then.
My brother has told me I have hairy legs, and one of his close friend's (male) has also commented, but I just can't force myself to. My dad has also told me to shave my legs twice, but not one word from my mum. Once he said it in front of my mum so I am sure if she didn't want me to she would have said so. I think my dad is better at sharing his feelings than my mum. So what do you think? Should I just do it? I am pretty sure my mum would be fine with it, and I think when she was younger she just went and did it on her own. Please help!
I am almost 13 and have very hairy legs. A few weeks back my friend's smaller brother said my leg looks like a boy's. He was only 6, but still I felt very embarrassed. My mom has booked an appointment for herself at the parlour day after tomorrow. I am planning to tell her about this.
Should I mention waxing or shaving? I am not very open with my mom about all the teenage stuff because she is a school teacher and is Linda strict, but she does ask me whether I have a bf in a joking way. We don't discuss it much. How shall I bring up the topic?You should just say, mom my legs are hairy. What do you recommend?
She's a teacher - I'd assume she'd be understanding?
I had the same problem and just up and told my mum some girls at school were making fun of me. She helped me out straight away. I really think yours will too, given how you feel about the situation.
Thx for helping. I will use your idea.
Your mother may agree to a depilatory. My mother did. She was afraid I'd cut my legs shaving.
My mom won't let me shave my legs and facial hair. It is normal for a girl to shave at my age, but when I ask her about it she gets mad and starts to scold me. Sometimes I'm just too afraid to ask her. She even says that if I did it she'll kill me and stuff. The last time I asked her was like 4 months ago. I'm really ashamed of showing off my face because my my moustache, they even make fun of me at school. But I am still really scared to ask my mom.
Any advice?
She may be worried about you cutting yourself. Suggest a depilatory. That worked for me when I was your age.
My mum recently bought me a razor for my arm pits. I want to also shave my legs because they are very dark and thick. When I asked my mum when I can shave my legs, she said 16, 16! All my friends are shaving their legs and they get to wear shorts without being embarrassed.
Help, I wish my mum would research about it more, cuz I have and I think I'm ready to shave.I always wear pants because I can't focus since I have anxiety in social situations, like school. The farthest up I will go up is long capris. My mom and I are very close, but it's very awkward on both ends.
I have tried to talk to her about it, but we never get into actually talking about it. I sometimes hide my arms because of my social anxiety. It's such a weight on my chest. I don't like it.I am 14 years old, in my freshman year of high school and I don't shave. I really want to, more than anything. I'm always too afraid to ask though. I hate when it's hot because I have to wear shorts. I've tried to buy my own razors before, but my twin sister said, "No, it's like hiding your period."
By Caroline S.
Just ask your mom. Tell her you feel confident and mature enough to start shaving.
I'm 13 and too scared to ask my mum to shave my legs and I have thick black hair. I always see boys staring! My friends say I should just shave and not ask. My mum usually waxes my underarms.
I want to shave badly because everyone at school makes fun of me. I'm 13 and everyone, even my friends, make fun of me because of my legs.
How do I get my mom to notice that I want to shave without asking her?I am 13 and have only just started to shave my legs. My leg hairs are still growing and even faster than before. I want to wax my legs, but I'm scared to ask my mum. What should I do?
I keep asking my mom to let me shave and she said yes and got me a razor and shaving cream. She told me that she would show me how, but never did.
And I keep bringing it up and she keeps forgetting. How do I remind her again because I dont like talking about shaving that much?My name is Grace. I am 13 in the 7th grade, I have not shaved. All my friends do, and when they talk about it I just don't know what to say while they are talking, like they say, "oh I cut my self, or oh I forgot a strip of hair". And it makes me feel uncomfortable when they do talk about it.
Recently my mom bought me a razor and shaving cream, and said we will do it tomorrow. It has been a month and I don't know how to bring this up to her that I need to shave.
The hair on my legs is really dark, like really. I am starting basketball very very soon. And I feel really weird having hairy legs. My mom and I have a close relationship, but I don't know why I can't tell her that I need to shave my legs. How do I remind my mom that she got me a razor without telling her?
