07.20.11
When Babble asked for my thoughts on being a tattooed mom, I honestly felt conflicted. On the one hand, as a young, just-starting-out woman, it was important for me to retain my sense of style and individuality — having lost much of my identity (from my body to my last name) in one year. I like the idea of (creatively) personalizing my body. But do I like the idea of Noah having a tattoo? Am I setting the right example?
I had a small moment of clarity for how my mother felt when she saw I inked the skin she washed and kissed and held as a baby. The skin she made and grew inside of her body. But did I ask her permission? Nope. Did I consider her feelings? Not at all. Why? Because it’s my body. As much as I appreciate everything she’s done for me, this is the shell I live in. Shouldn’t I be able to personalize it any way I’d like? After all, I’m an adult. (Which…is weird.)
And then I realized that once Noah is an “adult,” he should be free to personalize his body in whatever (safe) way he wants. Of course I’d rather him be creative and cool about it — and I’d (incessantly) encourage him to think about it for a significant amount of time. And of course I’d prefer for him to wait for something meaningful and sentimental (like, I don’t know, the birth of a child). But at the end of the day (and I might one day be eating these published words), it’s his body. I’ll just guide him into making the smartest decision for himself. (But if adult Noah is reading this: please be respectful of your perfect body that I so lovingly cared for. Thanks.)
(Who knows, maybe tattoos will be a thing of the past. Something that their parents did back in the day. Something ridiculous.)
I want my next tattoo to be a meaningful quote or words down the inside of my left forearm, and I’m leaning towards i carry your heart to symbolize the momentous time when I carried my child’s (and future children’s) heart in my own body. To symbolize that never-ending connection between the two of us.
Here are some other cool word tattoos that I think apply to mothers:
See more of my 15 favorite tattoo ideas for moms over at Family Style.
For those of you with tattoos, did you ever regret your decision? Did you decide to tattoo yourself after you became a mom? Because you became a mom?
18 Comments to Moms with Ink
Amber
July 20, 2011 at 6:20 pm
I don’t have a tattoo mostly because I am so incredibly indecisive from one day to the next that I am afraid what I like today I won’t like in a decade or, let’s be real, tomorrow.
I have considered getting a tattoo for my children though. My oldest sister has three boys who all have the middle name O’Rien and she recently got a tattoo of that constellation on her arm. I thought it was a fantastic way to symbolize her love for her children.
I loved reading the Babble article by the way! You talking about how Noah asks you to draw on him cracked me up. My husband has a wolf tattooed on his back and Anders (my son) tells everyone about the “dog” on daddy’s back. My husband isn’t really amused.
michellehorton
July 20, 2011 at 6:30 pm
I’m the same way, Amber. I’m not the kind of person to just stumble into a tattoo parlor and randomly pick something to put on my body. Or to just be in the mood to tattoo something – anything – on me. But I’ve wanted words down my arm for quite awhile, I’m just deciding on the perfect quote. And I LOVE your sister’s idea. Was O’Rien a family name or maiden name?
And that’s funny about your son. My husband has a picture of the Tin Man (which is WAY cooler than it actually sounds; because it sounds lame), and Noah thinks it’s the funniest thing ever.
Heather C.
July 20, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I don’t have one, like Amber I’m not sure I can decide on something at this point in my life. But I sometimes think I’d like one, something whimsical and hopeful. My oldest son, 18, has talked about getting one. I’ve asked that he not get one that creeps up his neck, just in case he is someday sitting in a board room and not filming at a skate park.
I loved the script in a couple of the above pictures. Very elegant.
Jenna
July 20, 2011 at 7:53 pm
I have a few from before I had my daughter, all of them were spur of the moment tattoos where something inspired me and right then and there I went and got it inked. I don’t regret any of them, they each have their own story and represent a period in my life.
I’m pregnant with our second child now and a few months ago had the tattoo urge again but since most doctors recommend not getting one while pregnant I’m having my first experience of really thinking through the design for a length of time before getting it done. I have two months left and unless something changes I’ll be getting my new one then.
Kristel
July 20, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I have two tattoos already and after this baby is born I have a couple ideas for more tattoos. I love them and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
My mom isn’t a fan but oh well, she loves me anyway. If my son decides he wants to get a tattoo I’ll just recommend that he waits until he’s 18 and really think about the design instead of getting something stupid.
Nicki
July 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm
I’m a tattooed mom in my mid (getting very close to late) 20′s. I have two half sleeves, a chest piece, 4 large pieces (two on each thigh) and a few random ones on my back, wrist and feet. I love being a tattooed mom. And prior to our daughters birth, my husband (who is tattooed as well) and I discussed, at length, how we would handle it. My parents (mostly my dad) were not supportive of tattoos, and I don’t want to do that to my daughter. I want to educate her on it and hope she makes good decisions (i.e. Not get some piece of flash in some serious random and awful spot).
I did that, my first tattoo. I don’t regret it, not at all, but I don’t love it either. It represents a time in my life, and I’ll never have it removed. The image of nearly every tattoo is nearly meaningless to me, they were simple images that I like. However, they mark a specific period in time; a death, an anniversary (many anniversaries, haha), family illness, life changes, friendships, destroyed relationships, miscarriages and new beginnings. I enjoy each and every one of them.
Here, here to tattooed moms!
Britney
August 31, 2011 at 9:45 am
Even though I do regret not putting effort into choosing my tattoo, I don’t regret getting it, I got my next tattoo in the form of a quote it’s “We become who we believe we are. It’s that simple.”
I want my children to believe that they can be anything they want to be if they put in the effort, tattoo quotes are great but I think if I get another tattoo it’ll be a design that represents my family.
Kristian Udell
December 23, 2011 at 6:24 pm
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gina romo
February 15, 2012 at 12:46 am
im not a mom i am onl 19 years old but looking at these picture they are beautiful! i dont know whos tattoos they are, but i just got so inspired ive been looking for great tattoo ideas for so long and i want something simple and feminine but meaningful and i have finally found a picture i want to base mine off of.you article is great too, thank you for sharing!
Mellissa
March 15, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Can you please tell me the font of the tattoo “Lucy & O—”I love it, its so beautifully written.
michellehorton
March 17, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I’m sorry, I’m not sure!
christina
March 20, 2012 at 2:41 am
It’s not a font, it’s calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap.
Miranda
July 6, 2012 at 8:15 pm
I am going to get my first tattoo ever and it will have to do with my children. I have two boys one is 3 1/2 and the other is 2 months. I thought of my own quote. Something that meant something to me and something i would say to my children. I think when i am 70 years old it may look silly but what tatoo wouldn’t. I am going to get it on my mid calf it is going to say “Everything good I have inside of me comes from loving you” underneith i will put my boys’ names. I am so excited to have finally decided on what i am going to do!~!!
Lestina
July 13, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I am a mom in my late 30′s with one child diagnosed with Autism. I had one tattoo before i was a mom and had have six since being a mom but the one my daughter is most proud of is her face depicted as an angel with the words God’s Best Creation and her name under the picture. I love the fact that she tells everyone that she will always be on and have Mommy’s back.
Ellen
August 27, 2012 at 3:12 am
does anyone know what font the “love is enough” tattoo is? I love that writing!
Beth
September 4, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Anyone know what font the ‘love is enough’ tattoo and the ‘Lucy and Orla’ tattoo? I LOVE these fonts, they are beautiful
paige
December 19, 2012 at 5:41 pm
I have 5 tattoos so far. One with my mom one for my dad and the others are all meaningful. After I have my baby I do want one for my baby but haven’t found any quotes I I love yet. And that’s always my hold up I have to absolutely love my tattoo before getting it on my body
pamipoo
February 22, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Michelle,
I came across your blog after checking out your tattoo designs on Pinterest.(awesome, btw) I have a few tattoos and am still on the search for more. The next ones will be a quote and then a big (for me) 3/4 sleeve. But as I read your quandry-the message you are giving your children-I see I share similar question, Although mine comes from the place of being a GRANDMOTHER……the quandry remains – not too different. For me,
I think like you, the bottom line is, this is MY body, my expression and my prayer is that my children (adults now) accept and love me (they do) just the way I am. Hopefully, their acceptence will transfer over to my Grandchildren and they will know my heart…….and love me regardless of my artistic expression.
Thanks for the blog!
pam