A few months ago I got a tattoo, not realizing how controversial it would end up being.
While many people supported my choice there have been some who gave me some pushback and many more who just gave an “um…wow” sort of reaction. Not that I can blame my friends/family members. Apparently no one pegged me as a “tattoo sort of girl” and I didn’t tell very many people before I got it. Even those who knew I was going, expected me to go get a small wrist tattoo, and I came home with a large, blue stag that covered by entire forearm. A bit unexpected, but I digress.
When a mom dyes her hair a crazy color, gets piercings or tattoos it seems to be met with some questions about what her kids will think of what she’s doing.
As if tattoos, piercings and hair color have a bad influence on children.
“What kind of example are you setting for your children?”
“What if they think it’s okay to get tattoos now?”
You know what, maybe they will. Maybe they will think tattoos are fine, because they are.
Maybe seeing mommy, one of their favorite people in the entire world, switch up her hair tattoo her body and get some piercings will teach them not to make judgements about a person based on what they look like.
Maybe they’ll learn that a person’s character is more important than how they look. Be it the person’s size, race, hair color or body modifications like tattoos and piercings.
Will I let my kids get tattoos?
No, not while they are kids, it’s a permanent decision and I agree that you should be at least 18 to make it. But piercings and hair colorings? Bring it on.
I want to say yes to the things that don’t matter much, like hair experimentation, so when I say no to things like drugs and alcohol they’ll know it’s for a good reason, and not because mama just doesn’t “get it”.
I want them to have fun and express who they are safely. Maybe my tattoos will teach them that. Maybe they won’t. But they certainly won’t affect them negatively.
So I got a tattoo. I dye my hair. I don’t have piercings but only because I have sensitive skin.
These don’t make me a bad influence. In fact, they don’t really affect my parenting at all.
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Heather Hammel says
I absolutely hate when people negatively judge people when they get tattoos, piercings, change their hair color- but especially tattoos! I have 7 and I am definitely not stopping there. I wear long sleeves at super important meetings to hide my arm tattoos b/c I get so much beef in the workplace for having tattoos which is ridiculous. It’s art and expression. It’s freakin’ 2015 people. I also hate those Facebook groups that say everyone who has tattoos does drugs, have addictions, are criminals, and are bad parents. Some groups even say that every child that is born by a parent that has tattoos is born addicted to drugs and that like 95% of tattooed parents abuse their children. It makes me so mad and is false made up information.
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Mimi "MimiCuteLips" Green says
I freaking love this post. I had tattoos before I became a Mom. I’m getting a partial sleeve this fall and I got my nose pierced 3 months ago. I frequently rock funky hairstyles and my kids only see me as Mom.
Karen says
I got my first tattoo last year at the age of 38. Our fur baby died and I had to get his name and a paw print on my outer calf. My son didn’t like it only because I was in pain, really hurt in my leg. I plan on getting my son’s name on the underside of my forearm, not big so I can hide it at work.
I teach my son we ate all different and beautiful, tattoos are at, living art. Tattoos and piercings only at 18, but better to wait longer, but not a rule. He can die and cut his hair in high school
smrstgrl says
Coloring your hair a funky color or a piercing is NOT the same as a tattoo.
smrstgrl says
Asdfjk
Anne says
I told my mother-in-law that it was a temporary tattoo. She looked at me rather confused. I said, “Don’t worry. Some day it will be gone.” Life is short; my tattoo helps me remember not to hold onto anything too tightly.