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 know many people that regret the tattoos they got when they 20 and younger because they’re not the same people they were back then. Then the problem to laser it off that’s really expensive or tattoo something over them
Hmm, good question, here legal age is 18, so that’s what I’d go with.
I’m actually completely against tattoos, however 3 of my girls have got one albeit small ones but only after they left home. They think it’s very funny that I now have two tattoos after a double mastectomy, how they laugh at me now. LOL
my oldest got one on her foot a harry potter design she wanted. its actaully nice and I know what it means to her. then she got a huge saying on her rib cage. I cant stand it. now that she is 27 and a mom she regrets getting that one.
I wouldn’t allow tattoos in high school. So many decisions at this age are impulsive or not well thought out. I still go back and forth weather I want one, but know that if and when I do decide it will be with allot of planning and forethought.
I do remember telling my daughter that i thought 30 was a good year to make a decision . It was a bit tongue in cheek but in reality, I meant become mature and then decide.
I think age 18 is ok to be able to decide responsibly.
My daughter loves them and she being an adult she now has 4 i believe,i don’t care much for them but she likes them !
Legally they can make that decision on their own when they are 18. If they want to ink then I will help them to acquire education in that area. Until then they have markers, lol.
hmmm it’s difficult to say. I’m not big on tattoos, so I would try to discourage them from getting one but if they do, I would try to make sure they are educated and well aware of the risks and life long consequences
I was lucky my boys didn’t wanna get tattoos till they were older , i am fine with them as long as its not a gross one ! but i do understand where your coming from 🙂