Current mood: Frustrated
I just narrowly avoided having a very heated discussion with my teens about tattoos.
Yes tattoos.
Apparently “everyone is getting them“. Yah, not in my house.
Honestly I think the rules around here are pretty loose. Family first. Then school. Sports/jobs are next and friends are extremely important too. Respect your parents, yourself and our few life rules. Among these rules is the fact that Mama’s just is not okay with young girls getting tattoos. I guess I just don’t understand it? Why on earth do 17 and 18 year old kids think they need tattoos? Is it for beauty? Status? Are they making a statement? More than that, how can they be passionate enough about a word, a picture, a symbol, some kind of body art, that they might want to have it forever emblazoned on their bodies?
Were my girls hinting that they wanted one? Working up to something? Just saw that I was feeling particularly weak and felt it was a good time to attack? I don’t think so. I think my kids were just making conversation, but since I was in migraine land with a headache that wouldn’t quit and had a short temper to match, I went in for the kill.
“You can’t possibly know what your future self will want.”
“Kids getting these big tattoos now will regret it later in life.” And of course the ever popular.
“Not while you are living in my house.” A classic.
I’m not sure I’ve ever used that one before, but by God I meant it when I said it. I don’t want my kids to decide they need stars or hearts tattooed on their feet. Starfish on their shoulders. Initials of loved one’s on their wrists or whatever else may feel like a smart and well thought out decision at this young age. Maybe I’m wrong (it does happen on occasion), maybe I’m short sighted with my quick HELL NO to tattoos. But, I’m sticking to this knee jerk reaction. If either of my kiddos want tattoos they can do it when they are living on their own dime and 100% responsible for their own mistakes. For now, I will continue to live my bubble wrap Mom life.
Tell me, where do you stand. At what age are kids old enough to decide to get a tattoo?
I totally agree. I don’t think anyone should make such a big decision before their brains are fully developed. And noone should make it lightly, it’s a big deal. Having said that, I got a small tattoo a few years ago in memory of my Mom who passed. I was always one of those people who swore I’d never get one but it felt right to me, me and my sisters all got the same one and it brings me comfort everytime I look at it. But I thought long and hard about it and was really sure it was something I wanted before I did it.
Piercings and tattoos can wait until you are out of my house … just because I said so. I have a step daughter that had one at 16, with her mother’s permission, and it is not something she likes now that she is 20.
I personally like tattoos… sometimes. Some are beautiful where others are trashy. As a teenager you do not know what you want in the future. I made that mistake when I was 17. I have a playboy bunny tattooed on my shoulder. I still think it’s cute but I would’ve preferred something more meaningful. This year I plan on getting something tattooed over top. At least wait until you’re 25 before making a permanent decision.
I totally agree, no tattoos in my home when you are old enough to do it and pay for it too it’s your choice !
I’m not sure what the right age is to get a tattoo. We always discouraged them, often saying there may come a day when they regretted their choice. Your feelings as a teen change like the wind. Not a great time to make a permanent decision.
My brother got his first and only tattoo at 17. It is a shark on his shoulder. He definitely regrets it because it is not well-done and he is embarrassed by it. My girls have been informed that as long as they live with us, there will not be any tattoes. It helps that I can use their uncle’s experience as an example of poor choices.
My daughter was 16 when she went and got her first tattoo, and I had to be there because of her age, but it is in a spot where it is not visible for work, which was a big concern of mine, she’s happy with it and she is in her 20’s now and has only gotten one more since, I think it’s all up to the parent while they are still living under the roof, just like you said, and I had to agree on what and where she was getting it done!
This is a tough issue! I know many parents who refuse to let their teens get tattoos, and the teens just end up getting one behind their parents’ backs (and not necessarily at the safest, most reputable places, either).
I agree with you not while they are kids, if they choose to do so as an adult so be it but I think many come to regret tattoos later in life.
I’ve got boys! and it’s a no way no how from me. I don’t get it I don’t understand it. It’s one thing to have a tattoo for redrawing your boobs or nipples it’s another thing to do it just because.
I’m totally against tattoos and my kids know that, it hasn’t stopped them getting one though, just little ones but still. Why does anyone need to deface a beautiful body? I’ve met too many who regret it as skin stretches or sags as they get older, they often become unrecognisable. Quite few have new tattoos put over the old one to cover up the original. It’s not as if they are cheap either.
I agree, no tattoos until you are old enough to do it without consent and pay for it too! My kids will not get tattooed until they are at least in college haha
They live in your house and they must follow your rules that is how it goes. they have lots of time for tattoos and can get one if they still feel that strongly about getting one once they live on their own because that is where you stand with them. I will be the same way my dad was with me. I wanted a tattoo when I was 16
I have no idea why at the time that is what I wanted. I had a belly ring, a couple ear piercings and wanted a tattoo. its not even that a lot of people had them, I just wanted to get one. so my dad said I could get one because he has to be there as my guardian he said as long as 1) it was small 2) it wasn’t something I would regret 3) not in an inappropriate spot or one that would be seen ALL the time and 4) that he had to approve of it. He helped me pick one out. I got a small little rose on my back. and that was that. I didn”t get my next one till shortly after my 1st born at 27 years old. I got her name on my back and will go at some point to get my youngest daughters name on my back as well. but like I said before everyone has their own rules and those are yours for them to follow
I’m kinda lucky my boy just isn’t interested. At 19, he just doesn’t care for them. Phew!
I also think he’s seen one too many of his friends get awful tattoos.
I used to tell me Mom that I wanted a tattoo when I wanted to really annoy her. It would usually work because she would go down the exact same path that you did. I have yet to get a tattoo at 40 years old, not so much because I fought with my Mom about it, but just because I never found a symbol or picture that I wanted on my body for life (plus my body has stretched and moved a lot since being a teen). I understand the agony, however, I have no kids myself, so I can’t really understand – but I feel for you.