21 October 2023 , 08:00
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It can be incredibly difficult to prepare children for any issues they might have with body image and appearance. Talking openly about any changes is hugely important in helping them navigate puberty. But it's no secret that children develop differently - which can open them up for unkind comments from their peers.
Now, a woman has revealed how she was shamed by her family after deciding to take her daughter for a waxing session after she found out she was getting bullied. Sharing her story, she explained that her daughter Lilly (not her real name) has always had quite a pronounced body and facial hair. Up until she was ten, she was completely unfazed by it, but then other children at school started to make mean comments.
"I remember Lilly coming home from school one day in Grade Four in tears because of one of these comments. From memory, they referred to her as being a man in a girl's body because of the distinct hair above her lip," her mum said. By the time she reached sixth grade, Lilly had also started to grow pubic hair and she told her mum she was desperate to have that hair and the hair on her face removed. Her mum decided it was time to take action and booked an appointment at a salon. It went well and Lilly was happy with the results.
But a few weeks later, the mum happened to mention the outing to her sister-in-law after she noticed the hair was gone. Speaking to Kidspot, she recalled: "Rather than be supportive, she totally shamed me. 'Why on earth would you take a 12-year-old to get waxed?!' she exclaimed, raising her voice so it was almost at yelling level."
The sister-in-law then questioned whether there are any age restrictions on such beauty treatments, and argued that that even if there isn't, the mum was sending the wrong message to her daughter. The relative went as far as saying that the mum was encouraging the very 'unfair' beauty standards that she claimed to be rallying against.
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The mum concluded: "I am not usually one to get upset when people have differences of opinion but her words and the way she said them to me got under my skin and attacked my parenting when I had thought I was doing the right thing by my daughter. While Lilly is much happier now that this hair has been removed and seems more confident in herself, and while I know that I haven't traumatised her like my sister-in-law insisted I would, I still always have a question in the back of my mind about whether it was the right time."
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