I don't look like a typical mom for many reasons. For starters, I'm 5'2" with a fairly tiny frame that makes most people say, "Where did you hold your baby?!" (To them I answer, "You should see my stretch marks").
Also, thanks to "excellent" genes that get me constantly carded for everything from drinks to lottery tickets, combined with my daughter's uncanny resemblance to me,
I look more like I'm taking my little sister out for a walk rather than my daughter.
However, what seems to throw people off the most, seem to be my tattoos. At current count I have three tattoos, two of them fairly large, and I am fairly certain that this isn't the end of my inky adventure.
To be fair, I live in New York City where more people have body modification than those who don't, but when I leave the city, I'm met with bizarre stares. And even within the city, older people tell me all the time that I'll regret my tattoos, and that
it will send the wrong message to my child as she grows up.
People are jarred when they see me happily walking with a little girl calling me "Mommy," who is tugging on an arm that has "peace love empathy" written across my inner bicep.
But more common than this,
if I do see someone who isn't completely shocked by my tattoos, they seem confused that I don't have my daughter's name tattooed on me, as these seem to be the only acceptable ones for moms (I have considered it, but I'm not a fan of having anyone's name on me).
Are there any other moms who feel that there's a certain stigma attached to them because of their tattoos, be it the fact that they have any, or because they choose not to put their child's name on them?
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Comments (51)
I'm not a mom yet, but I have seven tattoos and children are definitely in my future. I know that people already judge me for them and I can't imagine walking down the street with a kid with a huge ewok on my arm. But you know what? I'm sure kids think they look awesome and that's all that really matters. =]
i'm going to be an inked up mommy too! though eventually i'll have my kids (or something to do with them) inked somewhere, it prolly won't happen until i'm done having kids. i usually don't do names of living people, the exception being my kids.
i'm sure i'm going to get strange looks, and people will always ask if i'll regret the tattoos/what happens when they sag, but as long as i'm doing my best i won't let it bother me.
Agreed. Getting a named tattooed on yourself, whether it's a child, family member or husband is incredibly stupid. My friend has his brother's name tattooed between his shoulder blades though and I think that's sweet, only because his brother died at age 16, so it's like a memory of him. It's your body, and no, I highly doubt it's going to encourage your kids to get one. That's like saying "If your parents don't have tattoos then most probably you won't want one." Neither of my parents have tattoos and I'd like at least one, but I don't think it'll have any impact on my kids when I have them in the future. :P
@SentimentalDoll@xanga - Agreed. My parents are heavily against any sort of piercing and tattoos and my brother and I are both tattooed and my sister is planning one.
I get the looks and stares when my are showing no matter what. I lucked out and married my tattoo artiest and my back is almost covered and we are going to start on my arms soon. I don't care what people think about me
I'm newly pregnant, and I have multiple tattoos as well. I'm sure people will make comments - hell, they made 'em before I got pregnant, I'm sure they'll keep coming after I have this baby. But they're free to be judgmental and rude. I'm just going to teach my kid that everyone is different, and there's nothing wrong with that. And, I'll just use the people making dumb comments as teachable moments: "See, little one? This person is being rude, and that's not nice. We don't do that in our house, do we? No we don't, because we're good people!" Hee. 'Course, later I'll have to explain that in our house, we're also snarky people....
I'm not a mom as of right now but I plan to be one day. Which will make me an inked up mommy too. I already have 4 and am planning a much larger one for the spring. I also plan on getting all my childrens' names tattooed on me. I honestly don't see the big deal. Sending your children the wrong messages? What is wrong with tattoos? You can bet your ass that when my son or daughter is 18 and wants one I will go with them to get it.
This is stupid. I have 3 tattoos and I am 20 and a three year old and a baby on the way, I have been with my husband since I was 12 yeah yeah I know we are young. Having tattoos does not effect being a mom it just makes people judge you. My neighbor is completely covered, 22 and has two kids. Every man in my family has tattoos completely covering their arm. Who gives a shit if someone judges you for tattoos. Maybe its just where I live, but most people don't care.
I keep mine restricted to areas not usually in view of the general public...not really because of the kids; I could careless about the mommy brigade. (Honestly, nothing you do (or don't do) is ever going to be good enough some people out there.) But because of what employers might think and how it might really effect our future. I like the way sleeves look on other people, but not enough to risk being turned down for a job in the future (or having to wear long sleeves year round in Florida) to have one (or two) myself. To each their own though.
Several people have suggested that I turn the "M" on my ankle into "Megan" rather than doing the removal creams. I'm just not into having anyone's name on me either.
I did snicker out loud when I read the part about sending the wrong message to your kiddo and then that your arm reads, "peace love empathy". Shesh, woman! What a terrible message!! *face palm*
Good for You and Your tattoo's, And Your daughter ^^ There's absolutely nothing abnormal or wrong with a Mom having tattoo's, I'll be a tattooed Mommy. And as for sending the wrong message to your girl, I call bullshit XD
Good for you!
I guess we're all going to be inked up moms on here then yeah?? Lol. I've got both of my wrists done, and I have two big tattoos on each of my sides. I'm a little worried about them stretching when I get pregnant, but I think it'll be okay. I'm planning on my getting my right sleeve done one day, and I want something on my back and on top of my foot. I want alot more tattoos bascially lol. I know alot of people will talk when they see them, but I haven't heard anything bad about them yet (besides my parents lol!!). Besides, I didn't get them to see what people would say about them, so I don't really care what they'll think about me being an inked up mom (when I finally am one).
I think name tattoos are just a tad tacky. But having ink doesn't make you any less of a mother. In fact it's kind of a bonus because you're teaching your child to accept all people, even if they look a little different.
I would never ever get a name on, even if it was my child's...
I too will be an inked mummy..and you know what
I COULDN'T CARE LESS ;)
I'm happy and my child will be raised to not hate on anyone whether they are inked, pierced, black, blue or orange..
I have my Papaw, Mamaw, Brother and best friends initials tattooed on me, whom all passed away in a short period of time. I do NOT plan on getting a tattoo of my childs name...I plan to wait a few years, and get something that embodies them.
I also have 3 other tattoos besides the ones for my loved ones, and my mothers remark all the time is "not where an employer can see...you want to be able to get a job!" ...I want a job where I can have the body modifications that I love and want. Not where I'm judge. I also plan on getting two more rather large pieces :)
When I become a mom, I figure I'll have more, probably sleeves and a lip piercing, it's no big deal to me...I will let my children express themselves however they choose as well :)
Hi I have 5 tattoos, 1 big, 1 medium one, and 3 small ones. And I think it's ok for moms to have tattoos, it's a new generation now, and people should know that tattoos are a way to express a person's personality. My finace has 1 long tattoo from all the way up his shoulders to his elbow, and 2 other small tattoos. Right now I am pregnant, and I believe that eventually when my child grows up he will notice our tattoos more and probably would want one. Well for one it's going to be hard to say no since we both have tattoos, so we would probably let him but remind him that the tattoo will stay with him forever so he would have to pick out one that he will not change his mind years from now.
Also I am pretty petite I am 5'1, and my facial apperance sometimes fool people for me being 14-18 when I am really 22, 23 by the time I have my son. I would probably experience the same as you, walking with my son with people thinking it's just my little brother lol
but I think it's all how you raise your child, I don't believe that any tattoos or any other types of body modifications lessens a person to be a good mother :)
I see more inked up dads than I do moms, and while (I'm not going to lie) I do always feel oddly surprised at the sight, I shrug it off.
I have a tattoo on my back though, and while I don't plan on having any highly visible tattoos (arms, legs, neck etc) I hope my kids just grow up thinking that ink is normal. I plan on letting my kids get tattoos (when they're old enough.) I don't see any problem with it.
To your title (or should I say momaroo's): So? anyone can be tatted up, you don't have to be a stereotypical...
Be happy with who you are and whom you want to become, even if you want/have a little or a lot of ink. It doesn't mean you are or will be a bad mother or influence. There's plenty of ink-less flesh mother's who suck at motherhood.
I will be an inked up mommy one of these days. :)
I have three tattoos and three kids! But I do not nor do I plan to have their names inked on me. I am not a fan of name or face tattoos. I am a mother and so much more than a mother. Luckily, my tattoos are all easily hidden (even covered by bathing suits) so I am not judged. I have mom friends with tattoos and sometimes they get snide remarks. I think it is silly. When we become mothers we do not give up who we are. We may have more people to care for but we are still women with a personality. :)
tattoos aren't just for sailors and prisoners anymore. They're art, but permanant art that should be thought through, so you DONT regret them in the future. But getting something that really means something to you, you'll love for a lifetime. I don't think it sends the wrong message to children at all, seeing as there's nothing wrong with getting a tattoo, as long as you do it in a safe and sterile environment there is not health risk to them.
Most people are used to the stereotypical mother, the mid 30's woman with an uptight hair do and belly pudge. But everyone is different and society isn't like that anymore.
You know, I think people are less suprised at an inked father then mother, which is sad. Everyone has the right to do with their bodies what they want, and no one should make you feel like your decisions aren't good enough.
I have pink hair and a two year old. I get a lot of odd looks when we're out. :)
I'm planning quarter sleeves and a touch up on the one I have behind my neck. I'm a mom and in the medical field.
One of the surgical techs on my floor has full sleeves and woman in administration has a nose piercing and tats.
These things don't make us bad people.
The stigma is dead.
Rock your tats!
As for the name thing, I plan on having a seahorse in my water scene to represent my son not his name.
@FoxesIsFriends@xanga - I totally agree with you.
Personally, I think the fact that parents are judged by their appearance rather than their actions is ludicrous. I'd rather see an attentive mother with tattoos than an aloof Stepford mother.
I got my first tattoo when I was 33 and my youngest was nearly four... my latest tattoo is my 3 sons initials on my wrist... done when I was 50... who cares what others think of our choice to be tattooed