What do you think of tattoos to represent your children?

[Spookygoose]

Might depend on whether you’re a tattoo kind of person or not, but would you/have you ever had a tattoo that represents your children? If so is it very literal eg. Their name/D.O.B or more abstract/creative? What do you think of tattoos that represent someone’s children in general?

I've seen a lot of these recently... I think they are OK...

But I think they will date quickly

I had my sons name on my wrist tattooed in 1999. He was 2. I'd Googled - actually it wasn't Google, I'd used Copernic at the time on a Windows 95 dinosaur computer I'd been sold to learn spreadsheets etc.
Anyway... I'd searched alphabets, because 25 years ago it was cool.

So I have his name in Arabic on my wrist.
However, anybody I've ever met who can understand or read the language asks for a look - what does that say? Then a second look - I don't understand what that says 🤣.

25 years later, I haven't had one done for my daughter!

one of the first female clients had 3 tattoo her daughters picked them out
floral ones

It's definitely not about age. I'm 61 and most of my peer group in my late teens and early twenties had multiple tattoos and piercings. Where I live now it's not an age thing either; there's loads of older people with tattoos. It seems to be more of a class thing here, and I don't mean social status, I mean someone's background.

Has to be done, @Spookygoose . How else would you remember thair names and birthdays?

Make sure the father has the name tattooed on himself too.

I have one but you wouldn't know it was related to my child unless told. I dont think even he is aware tbh!

If you must (and I wouldn't but I know some like tattoos) be subtle. Remember your children will become teenages, eage to distance themselves from you, ready to be independent adults. Something too obvious (eg their names) could feel a bit suffocating, maybe embarrassing.

I don’t like names or dates of birth, personally, but (and I’m trying not to out myself!!) I have a couple of tattoos that are symbolic of my children. One is linked to the day the first was born and the other is linked to the song that was playing when the second was born, not words or anything but symbolic of… it’s hard to explain without saying what it is 😂 basically no one would necessarily know why I had those tattoos but to me, it’s special.
I do know someone who’s got his son’s name and DOB tattooed on the side of his neck (a bold choice already!) but I know for a fact he’s not seen that kid, his choice, after abandoning him at 3 months old. Gross.

Honestly I think tattoos very quickly become so familiar as to be rendered invisible to those who know you well.

I’ve never considered this as someone with my daughters name on me but I do actually understand and may have liked to consider this before I made my decision!! Thankfully mine is in a discrete area

Honestly, I'd think chav.

Unimpressive.

Says the person who has asked for opinions on mumsnet and has also called someone of these tattoos tacky and unoriginal. 🤔

I have a drawing my daughter did when she was four tattooed on my arm and I love it. I have lots of tattoos, don’t care if they make me “chavvy” (I’m not), and don’t give a flying monkey what anyone thinks of them.

So probably not the answer you’re looking for, OP, sorry!

Why’s that?

yes of course that happened

The best dads have huge tattoos on each forearm. Darcie on one, Kayden on the other. I don't know what his other children are called.

They’re seen a lot more than you might think, they’re at the top of her back/base of her neck so any time the temperature is above about 18 degrees she’s in a vest top or a summer dress.
i mean they don’t offend me, I don’t like tattoos and wouldn’t want one on me, it’s her body and her choice after all. They do look awful 😂
But she can’t even see them herself so I do question what the point even is!

Very chavvy.

Chintzy as fuck.

My OH has DDs signature from when she was about 4, wonky letters and all, on his chest. He was in his 40s when she as his only child arrived, and decided he wanted this as his only tattoo. Not something I'd ever do but I love the sentiment behind it and it's not something many people would ever see

Yes it actually did!

Tattoos are hugely personal and there’s plenty I don’t like. But it’s not my business what other people tattoo onto their own bodies. But yeah I look at some and think “fuck me that’s dreadful”. They might think the same about mine though 🙃

Yep. All too often a certain type of person has this sort of tattoo as visible proof of how devoted they are to their child. It's so easy isn't it, just spend a bit of cash and two hours in a tattoo parlour and everyone can see how much you love your kid. Job done.

Except, a £100 tattoo is no substitute for a parent who is always present and engaged with their child. Who never misses a sports day or a parents evening or a birthday. Who reads the bedtime stories and helps with homework and listens and pays attention. You know, the type of parenting that requires effort, and commitment and sacrifice and hard work.

well this is interesting as I’m currently planning my first tattoo. A bouquet of flowers which incorporates the birth month flowers of my children, with 3 shooting stars above to represent the babies I lost

apparently that makes me as chavvy as fuck and rough as a rat…

oh well!