by Laurie Feldman

Created on: November 28, 2007

Remember when you taught your little girl how to ride a bike? You were patient as she learned to petal. You were persistent; you encouraged her to practice. Finally, she was ready to ride without you holding on; you let go-knowing full well that she might fall and skin her knee. You consoled yourself with the knowledge that if she did get hurt, you'd be right there to pick her up and make her better.

Undoubtedly the teenager, that stands before you now, pink razor in hand, looks a lot different than the six year old, who wore the pink Barbie bike helmet. Once upon a time, that little girl thought you knew everything; now that she's a teenager, she likely thinks she knows everything, and you, the woman who has single-handedly kept her alive and well for over thirteen years, know nothing.

Teaching your teenager daughter how to shave, however, is not all that different from teaching your first grade daughter how to ride a bike

Rule #1 of teaching your teen girl to shave: BE PATIENT. Remember that she thinks she knows everything and that you know nothing. Accept this willingly. Just as you accepted her fear of falling when you taught her how to ride a bike because, she was just a little kid, you must accept that now, because she is a teenager, she thinks that she knows everything. Reason will not combat irrationality. You couldn't convince your little girl not to be afraid, and you won't be able to convince your teenager that she should listen to you. When she is ready, she'll ask for your help.

If your daughter comes to you and tells you that she wants to start shaving, offer to take her to buy some razors and shaving cream. Allow her to peruse the products and make her own choices. If she asks you a question about what to buy, give your input-but keep your comments pertinent to the question at hand. If your daughter isn't a shopper, and says to you "can't you just pick it up for me?", by all means do so. The important thing is to make available the supplies your daughter needs to start shaving, and the sooner the better. The girl anxious to get the hair off her legs will resort to a bar of soap and her father's razor, which could result in disaster for more than one member of your family.

If your daughter asks you how to shave, and I say if because she may well think that she already knows how, give her some subtle instruction. Do not fill her head with "musts" or you will zap her confidence. Explain to her that she should shave in the direction that the hair

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