by Roisi Proven

Created on: November 22, 2007

I remember the day I first decided I needed to shave like it was yesterday. I was 14 years old, waiting to hand in my homework, and it was the middle of summer so I was wearing a little summer dress. I heard the girl behind me snigger, and turned round, dreading whatever it was I was going to hear:

"You're really furry!" she giggled, pointing at my legs.

It was all I could do to stop from crying, so off I ran to confront my mother about it.

Shaving is a sensitive issue for girls, moreso than it is for boys I think. With a boy, the first shave is a sign of entering into manhood, of becoming a "grown up". For a girl, it's just one more thing you have to do in the morning. So treat it delicately, your furry daughter is probably feeling embarrassed enough as it is.

Don't crowd her to much, she'll want to do it herself the first time. Just sit her down and explain everything that she needs to get the best result from shaving. To always shave in the opposite direction to the hair growth, make sure the razor is not blunt, and to avoid dry shaving whenever possible. Show her how much shaving gel to use, show her how to hold the razor, and then leave her to it.

I'm sure you remember shaving when you were younger. It was a constant knife edge from a perfect leg and a leg that's cut to ribbons. But you have to let your daughter find that out for herself. Stay nearby, but don't step in unless she asks you to. If she does cut her leg, chances are it won't be major and she'll be able to clean it up herself. A bit of blood she can handle, but her mom trying to help her shave her legs? That's unforgivable.

Make sure that she knows that it's all a part of growing up, and that it won't always be such a nuisance. I'm sure most of you know that after a few months picking up the razor becomes second nature. Don't treat it as a big deal, let her have her space, and hopefully you should have jumped another hurdle in the race to raise a teenager!

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