Tattooed Moms Are Better Moms Than You Think

Tattooed moms – in today’s day and age where 1 in 5 adults have a tattoo, it’s surprising to me that there’s still a lot of stigma about the relationship between parenting and a lil’ skin ink. As a tattooed mom myself, I’d like to go ahead and set the record straight on this.

12 Reasons Tattooed Women Make Awesome Moms

#1 – We recognize the importance of self expression

I think all parents want their kids to feel comfortable being themselves. Tattooed moms have a leg up on this – we outwardly express ourselves everyday with our body art. Some women with tattoos have a small piece that remains hidden under clothing. Some of us have full sleeves or leg pieces that you can’t help but miss. Each piece, no matter how big or small, represents a piece of us.

Our kids want to express themselves. It’s up to us to embrace their uniqueness and provide safe opportunities to asset their individuality at all ages and stages. Teaching them to be comfortable in their own skin by demonstrating how comfortable we are with ourselves is one of the best lessons we can provide.

#2 – We understand boundaries & limits

As kids grow up, they are constantly testing boundaries to find their limits. Our job as their parents is to help guide them through this process and set safe limits for them. Unlike some perceptions, having tattoos doesn’t make us more permissive or a pushover when it comes to setting limits. In fact, I think we’re more likely to have a two-way discussion with our kids when it comes to appropriate ways to express their individuality.

I guarantee my kids won’t be allowed to get a tattoo before they turn 18. But if or when they choose to, they’ll be well educated on the importance of finding a good artist that operates in a safe shop so they can have the best experience possible.

#3 – We know when to pick our battles

We get it. There are some arguments we’re just not going to win. Just like trying to convince my grandma to like tattoos would be an exercise in futility, us tattooed moms know when to pick our battles with our kids. For example, letting your child experiment with temporary hair color might not seem so bad compared to a request to pierce her tongue or participate in a coed sleepover.

#4 – We understand how hard it is to fix big mistakes

True story – I once had name tattooed on my shoulder that was spelled incorrectly. Luckily for me, I was just missing the last letter of my Goddaughter’s name (Alizah) and the tattoo artist was able to add the “h” to make it correct.  Not all fixes are that easy, especially when you’re dealing with things like permanent artwork that’s embedded in your skin. Yes, there is laser removal, but that doesn’t always work. If you have a tattoo you regret getting, either for the artwork itself or poor quality, you learn how difficult it is to fix a big mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, including our kids. We can help them determine how detrimental the mistake might be, what lesson can be taken away from it, and how to deal with the aftermath of a poor choice.

#5 – We learn the significance of lifelong decisions a little bit sooner

I got my first tattoo when I was 15. It’s a pink flying elephant. Not exactly the smartest decision of my life, but I don’t regret it. Fast forward a couple of years to when I turned 18, and there you have a tattoo I do regret getting. Even after having it covered up with more ink, I still know it’s there.

Now, I’m not saying a tattoo is the biggest decision of your life, but it has consequences which – good or bad – you have to deal with the rest of your life. Our kids will face important decisions, like which college to choose or which companies to apply for when they graduate. They’ll also face decisions that feel more important than they really are, like who to ask to the school dance. We already know the difference between the two, and can help them work out the best choices for themselves.

#6 – We learn how to deal with judgement

It sucks that this one is on the list, but it’s true. If you’re a mom with visible tattoos, odds are good at some point you’ve had someone judge you for them. My Grandma used to remind me frequently that in her country (Peru), the only people with tattoos were criminals and prostitutes. (She loved me anyway, of course. But it never feels good to be compared in that way.)

As wonderful as it would be for our kids to live in a judgement-free world, that’s simply not how society operates right now. Being able to handle judgement ourselves helps us empathize and teach our kids how to face it when they encounter it themselves.

#7 – We learn how to adapt

Because of the judgement that happens, we learn how to adapt. Take my Grandma, for instance. Out of respect for her, I would make sure to wear clothes that covered up my tattoos when I went to visit her. (Ok, maybe it was also because I didn’t want to here her criticism.) The same goes for workplace dress codes.

Women with tattoos quickly learn to adapt to their situation so that their body art doesn’t negatively affect other aspects of their lives. As moms, we are constantly challenged to adapt to new situations with our kids, whether that’s dealing with a blowout in the middle of Target or rounding up teenage girls during a sleepover.

#8 – We care about personal hygiene

I don’t know if this applies to everyone, but of all the moms I know, the ones with tattoos seem to be the ones most concerned about germs. I don’t mean we’re extremists that keep our kids in a bubble, of course. But thanks to going through the process of paying for a tattoo and following the aftercare instructions to protect our investment, we definitely have a healthy respect for germs.

Most tattooed moms have antibacterial, fragrance-free soap in their bathroom. Some of us go a step further – right now I have HIBICLENS^® on my counter. It’s a pharmaceutical antiseptic skin cleanser that works great for tattoo aftercare because the antimicrobial effect lasts for up to 24 hours, helping prevent skin infections and reducing the risk of cross-infection. It’s also gentle enough for my kids to use, especially for cleaning cuts & scrapes like when Levi scratched his stomach pretty good last week trying to climb a tree in the yard.

#9 – We know that you get what you pay for

I’m going to go out on a limb and venture that any adult with more than one tattoo has learned this lesson, possibly the hard way. That tattoo “artist” that works out of his basement and offers you a beer when you walk in might not be the best option for something that’s going to permanently be a part of you.

This lesson works for more than tattoos, too. You can teach your kids how to research and evaluate the right fit before they make any big decision in their lives, from cars to college to body art.

#10 – We understand the delayed gratification

Yes, there are walk-in shops where you can go from zero to tattoo in just a couple hours. More often, though, there’s a planning process that includes deciding on what you want, scheduling a consultation with your artist, and then finally going in for your appointment. If you’re getting a large piece (like this Fraggle Rock tattoo), you might have to schedule out several appointments over several months to allow your body to heal between sessions. There may be financial considerations as well – I’d love to get a new tattoo every year, but my bank account simply can’t afford that.

Kids can all be impatient and impulsive. Learning to wait for delayed gratification takes time. As parents, we can share our tattoo process so they can learn from the example we’re setting.

#11 – We take care of our skin

After all the saving and waiting to get that tattoo, you can bet your butt we’re going to take care of it. People with awesome tattoos are the ones you can count on if you forget your sunscreen at the beach. They don’t want their ink to fade, so they liberally apply spf throughout the day.

Our kids have even more delicate skin than we do. Teaching them good skincare habits now will pay off in spades as they get older.

#12 – We’re fun

Ok, I’m totally biased on this one. I think tattooed moms are more fun

Have something to add that I missed? Join the conversation on Facebook!

The post Tattooed Moms Are Better Moms Than You Think appeared first on Life With Levi.