I am 22 years old and am considering getting a tattoo.

My reason for getting it is very personal, I am receiving my degree at the end of the year and I would like something to symbolise all I have accomplished and the strength I have found...
Let's just say my teen years weren't easy and there was quite a struggle overcoming personal issues (also I study engineering which is NOT an easy course!).

This is something I really want for myself and I would like to get it in a place that the whole world CAN'T see.

The only thing holding me back is... one day what will my children think?

So I'd like to ask a few questions to anyone who cares to answer...

*Do you think a tattoo can give the wrong impression to your child?

If you have a tattoo (or more :) ) and children:
*How do they respond to it?
*How do other parents respond to it?
*Would you let your child get one? If yes, when?

Thanks in advance...

I have two tattoos, I got both of them done before I had kids. My kids dont know anything other than a mother with tattoos. In fact, my daughter asked me whether all mommies had tattoos. I replied: "No, only the specials ones do" ;)

I dont regret getting a tattoo at all. I am 41 years old and mom to three kids.

tattoo: the chup of the common club.

Why have a tattoo!? IT's FOR LIFE. no you have a daisy made.. in 20 years you'll have a bloody sunflower sticking out from your pants!

just put a photo on the wall if you want to commemorate your graduation..


to comment on a previous user: "... only the special mommies have tattoo's". the really special common mommies!!

Tats are so zef ek se! They are actually a stamp of stupidity. Your kid may or may not judge you, but I will.

I cannot believe that in this day and age people still consider tattoos as a mark of low social standing - "common"! I have a tatoo on my stomach. I purposefully had it done in a place where I can show it off if I want to or cover it quite easily without having to wear special clothes. My parents do not have tattoos and were very much against me getting one. I therefore waited and thought long and hard about the pros and cons before having it done in my late 20s.
My only "proviso" for a tattoo is that it means something special to the person who is having it done and that it is unique - my husband designed my one. Also, ladies, PLEASE don't have barbed wire tattooed on your arms! It really does look awful and WILL be a problem later in life. :0)

what i am going to say is my own PERSONAL opinion, how I see it. I don't judge other peoples tattoos or people with tattoos so before anyone repsonds and want to bite of my head read this : It is YOUR life and YOUR body and YOUR right to make with it as YOU please. I dont judge YOU and YOUR choices.

Ok, so here is my approach or opinion :

I don't like tattoos, I don't see the worth of them. If you need to ink something under your skin so that you can pettifully remind yourself of some "achievement" to give you strength then you clearly have very low self esteem. You know in your heart what you have done and how, why do you need to "imprint" it on yourself ? You need to show the world what you have done ? Why ?

The other thing is what if you change your mind one day ? Tattoos can be removed but with effort and at great cost, so for most people, once its there its there. Would you want your kids to have tattoos one day when you are 40 but have learnt it sucks, they deteriorate and become "fuzzy" ?

And the last two points of course is what and where on your body. 95% of businesses look at tattoos that are visible with normal work wear is unacceptable.

But if you feel the need to brand yourself with something that means a lot to you and its tasteful, will not affect your work one day and it really really really really really makes you feel better... then its your body and your choice.

And if you are christian (a real one) then you cant...or rather, you shouldnt... as a christian you arent allowed to put ink under you skin. I dont know wjhat other faiths ave to say about it.

good luck and i can see by the way you have asked the question you clearly are a level headed person that thinks things through properly...good approach, keep it that way !

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I have a tattoo on my back and just got my second one done on Saturday, there is nothing wrong with it and I don't understand why in the 21st centuary people still have issues with it. I am an aunt to two adorable little girls and they love my tattoo and their mother has one to. There is nothing wrong with it and anyone that says there is should have their head read.

All my tattoos have special meanings and I think that is the important thing.

I think tattoos are really personal and the decision should be yours completely. I also think that kids learn to see tattoos in a certain light based on what you teach them. If you have a tattoo, your child will be so used to seeing it, he/she wouldn't even be bothered.

They may question as to why you have it there but then you can just explain.

I would definitely get a tattoo and let my (future) children get one. Why not? :)

i have 2 tattoo's. one i had before my daughter was born, the other after. i LOVE getting inked and as soon as the current bump is born i WILL be getting more. My fiance is also inked and also planning more.

My step-son to be LOVES lifting up my shirt to look at the pictures on my back and as far as other parents responding to tattoo's... who the hell cares? it's YOUR life and you should live it how you want.

this being said, think VERY carefully about placement and design. both my and my partner's tat's are in places easily hidden by clothing and i spent a year choosing the design for my second tattoo. if you're going to be working in a very corporate environment, a full sleeve tag will be frowned upon.

all in all, kids are comfortable with whatever you expose them to and in general, most people (barring the narrow minded sadsacks here) are perfectly ok with tasteful tattoo's.

I say get inked and LOVE it!

Your skin your choice ... Tattoos have become very prevalent in our society and are almost common place now a days... Don’t think your kids would think twice about them... my niece and nephew find mine rather fascinating... Just make sure it is something you really want and make sure you get it done by professionals who know what they are doing :-)

Ps ... would seem that some people need to research a lil :-P There is a very big difference between branding and tattoos... although branding is now also becomming rather popular...