Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Glitter Tattoo at school

269 replies

Ghrace · 03/05/2025 18:02

My DD has just turned 5 on Thursday, for her birthday my sister did a little glitter tattoo on her arm. When her school cardigan was on it wasn’t noticeable but at some point in the day she must have taken it off. The teacher pulled me aside at the end of the day and said she’s not allowed glitter tattoos and it has to be gone for Tuesday.

My issue is following Eid and before Easter holidays 2 little girls in her class came back to school for the last few days with Henna, which to me is the same vibe as a glitter tattoo. This was on their arms and hands so noticeable even with cardigans on. I know the mum well and know they never said anything about the Henna.

AIBU to think it’s not very fair that Henna is okay but Glitter Tattoos aren’t? Should I ask the school more about this policy?

DH thinks Henna is probably fine as it’s “cultural”.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:14

Missedthis · 03/05/2025 21:13

CLEARLY THESE ARE “CULTURAL”

Swimming over here stealing our Princes

Missedthis · 03/05/2025 21:13

CLEARLY THESE ARE “CULTURAL”

Glitter Tattoo at school
Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:13

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:08

Sorry 😬. It’s just some people frighten me with what they believe or the excuses they make. The reasons sometimes given by parents are ridiculous at times. As the OP has proven.

Show quote history

No need to apologise, the scary thing is that I have read similar and it WASN'T sarcasm.

PlutoCat · 03/05/2025 21:10

IKnowAristotle · 03/05/2025 21:08

Can't wait until Nige is PM and white British kids will finally be allowed to keep their glitter tattoos on.

Me neither. We'll all need health insurance and women will be encouraged to stay at home chained to kitchen sink and we will let the planet burn, but the kids will have their glitter tattoos

OppsUpsSide · 03/05/2025 21:09

In RE we teach about henna and its cultural significance. We don’t teach about glitter tattoos. They are very different.

In a secular society religious celebration does not carry greater significance or protection than any other form. Temporary tattoos as a symbol of celebration are either allowed in school or not.

MakeYourOwnMusicStartYourOwnDance · 03/05/2025 21:08

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:04

Sorry - I’m lost. You want glitter tattoos adding to the curriculum to stop the boats?

Show quote history

I read it as that poster was taking the piss out of racist types who have to shoehorn in soundbites like STOP THE BOATS into everything, regardless of the conversation 😁

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:08

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:07

We really really do need a sarcasm emoji on here

Show quote history

Sorry 😬. It’s just some people frighten me with what they believe or the excuses they make. The reasons sometimes given by parents are ridiculous at times. As the OP has proven.

PurpleThistle7 · 03/05/2025 21:08

leaving aside the concerns about another family’s cultural traditions that are not really your business…. Even if they were wrong, that doesn’t make you less wrong. Just apologise and move on.

IKnowAristotle · 03/05/2025 21:08

Can't wait until Nige is PM and white British kids will finally be allowed to keep their glitter tattoos on.

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:07

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:06

I’m assuming/hoping it’s sarcasm. Sorry, I’m tired. The OP clutching at the henna to justify her child’s tattoo is embarrassing.

We really really do need a sarcasm emoji on here

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:06

I’m assuming/hoping it’s sarcasm. Sorry, I’m tired. The OP clutching at the henna to justify her child’s tattoo is embarrassing.

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:04

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:01

Well maybe you should so we can STOP THE BOATS???!!!!

Show quote history

Sorry - I’m lost. You want glitter tattoos adding to the curriculum to stop the boats?

Kilroyonly · 03/05/2025 21:04

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:00

In RE we teach about henna and its cultural significance. We don’t teach about glitter tattoos. They are very different.

Well you’re teaching the wrong thing then as someone upthread has clearly explained

OppsUpsSide · 03/05/2025 21:03

Complaining that someone else got away with it just makes you look petty

People shouldn’t notice and advocate for people being treated differently according to race and religion. Ok

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 21:01

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:00

In RE we teach about henna and its cultural significance. We don’t teach about glitter tattoos. They are very different.

Well maybe you should so we can STOP THE BOATS???!!!!

surreygirl1987 · 03/05/2025 21:01

If the rule at the school is no tattoos allowed, then you adhere to that rule. Complaining that someone else got away with it just makes you look petty, no matter what the reason. Teach your daughter that school rules matter.

As for the religious exception... I work in a senior school and students are not allowed to wear necklaces. However, we make an exception for religious necklaces (eg a crucifix). I've never had pupil wear a regular necklace, be told off, then them/parent complain that it's not fair because Sarah wore a necklace with a cross on it on Tuesday last week and wasn't told off!

Blueskies25 · 03/05/2025 21:00

Firenzeflower · 03/05/2025 20:51

Best thing about being a teacher is all the completely sane and delightful parents.

Dealing with the parents must be a lot more painful than dealing with the kids, at least the kids have ‘youth’ as an excuse for bad behaviour, what’s the parents excuse

OppsUpsSide · 03/05/2025 21:00

A bunch of nobodies

Everybody on the internet is a ‘nobody’, unless you are referring to the fact they are non Muslim. Which takes on a whole new meaning.

Strictly1 · 03/05/2025 21:00

In RE we teach about henna and its cultural significance. We don’t teach about glitter tattoos. They are very different.

Missedthis · 03/05/2025 20:59

OppsUpsSide · 03/05/2025 20:49

A glitter tattoo is a cultural representation of celebration, as is henna. It is entirely the same but one culture is being pitched above the other. YANBU.

Lolz.

OppsUpsSide · 03/05/2025 20:58

How is a henna tattoo different from any other temporary tattoo?

Kilroyonly · 03/05/2025 20:57

I think it’s incredibly patronising to those who practice Islam that a bunch of nobodies on MN who mostly know nothing about Islam feel the need to assert their outrage about this post. It’s cringeworthy

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 20:57

NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/05/2025 19:51

Why are you fussing about this when the teacher is apparently having to tell you to wash your child at some point in the following four days?

Because nobody tells The Muslims to wash?
(sarcasm before I get deleted for racism)

Blueskies25 · 03/05/2025 20:57

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 20:56

No, I don't think thats what she is trying to say at all.

Show quote history

It’s exactly what she is saying

Hoppinggreen · 03/05/2025 20:56

Dramatic · 03/05/2025 19:35

I think what OP is trying to say is that a glitter tattoo doesn't affect their education any more than a henna tattoo does.

Show quote history

No, I don't think thats what she is trying to say at all.