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?

That sounds like a lovely, meaningful design. The shooting stars will feel comforting, too.

I have tattoos, I don't have any to represent my kids. However I am going to get one for the one who died. It's specific and just her name underneath. I don't need any dates because I'm unlikely to forget either.

Those of us who get memorial tattoos don't give a shit who finds them tacky.

I have tattoos for my children. Not their names or dobs but eg a cartoon character for one, the flower of the name of another, an animal that the other loves. They mean so much to my children, and they mean a huge deal to me too. Of course I don’t need to be reminded of my kids - I am a single parent and my life does revolve around them. But they are the most important people in the world to me and I want to have them with/on me.If you met me you’d never think I was so sentimental but it turns out when it comes to my children I can’t help it.

I think people have misunderstood and think I’m asking whether or not I should get a tattoo to represent my dc or looking for ideas for one. MN is definitely not the place I’d come to ask either of these questions 🤣 I’m already heavily tattooed and don’t need any help coming up with a design or making the decision to do it or not. I couldn’t give a shit what other people think. I was literally just bored and curious about people’s opinions of parents with tattoos representing their kids..not because it would sway my decision either way.

Of course it has to do with class, can’t really deny that but imo age is definitely a factor too, because people (especially women) over 50 (or maybe over 60) grew up in a society where tattoos were rare on women, especially large tattooed areas. It was seen as far more masculine and wasn’t socially acceptable. This is according to my (working class) mum who’s in her early 60s. Whereas I’m in my 30s and grew up with a tattoo shop on every high street, 18-year-old girls getting full sleeves as their first tattoos was not uncommon. And I grew up lower middle-class I’d say. It became less trashy and more of an art form. I’d say now the class divide is more about the style of the tattoo. Eg. Kids’ names/DOBs is associated with lower classes and more original/intricate designs are not so much (wouldn’t go as far as to say they’re associated with higher classes but they’re not so much associated with lower classes)

Posts with a blanket negative opinion on all tattoos come across as ignorant (eg. Whoever said “anyone with tattoos is rough as rats”!) I’d bet they’re all from people over 50 OR very posh people, as in not just standard middle-class, the types with kids named Hugo and Cordelia 🤣

This thread is so interesting. Especially because most think the kids are either estranged, dead, or the likes.

I actually have an appointment booked to get my DCs year of births tattooed. For me it’s because I love them to pieces, they are a part of me and I am super proud of having them. And that’s not for anyone to know, or for me to even show off, it’s for me personally. I have suffered losses too, those are too painful to etch on my skin, but maybe that’s why the DCs that are here are so precious and in a way represent the pregnancies before them.

Also for me marking the year is a bit more tasteful than getting a name for instance. That I do find somewhat tacky, but each to their own.

Its interesting that people might think my kids are either deceased or I’ve forgotten the years they were born 😂

I’ve literally never thought that someone with their kids’ names tattooed on them meant their kids were deceased. Neither has anyone else I’ve ever met IRL. MN is not a representation of reality!

<licks nib of quill>

• tattoos of kids names - chavvy ✅
• hairbands for baby girls - classless ✅
• baby showers - grabby ✅
• asking for cash gifts at weddings - vulgar ✅
• kids names Mason, Jayden, Hayden - lower class ✅
• driving an SUV - economically sinful and tacky ✅

Anymore? Keeping a running list of all the things general members of Mumsnet should flog themselves for, for their utter failure in appearing to aim for a social class above themselves. Tut tut.

Well, I’ve never met someone who thinks having their children’s names tattooed on them is a normal thing to do, so we’re all different. I know lots of people with tattoos, but they’re decorative.

I have a tattoo representing my 4 children on each of my inner forearms. The clock has year of birth above the hands and the hands represent their month of birth (I have twins, hence only 3 dates). I’m not a chav, I’m a senior manager in a large company, my employers have no issues with the tattoos. I’m not in anyway absent from my children’s lives, they are my world.
I love my children and I love my tattoos. I couldn’t care less on anyone else’s opinion 😁

One of my children died as a teen. I am going to get a tattoo so that there is a permanent meaning with me all the time. I haven’t yet, as I don’t know what to get done. But when I do, it won’t be anyone’s business but mine. Losing a child is to live permanently in hell. Even moments of joy have pain and sadness. Please don’t judge people for what they choose to do with their bodies.

I have a lot of tattoos, but have never felt the need to have any to represent my kids. Probably comes from having seen an awful lot of terrible parents over the years who were capable of commissioning very expensive commemorative tattoos, but couldn't actually parent for shit!

I have tattoos anyway and as luck would have it I inadvertently technically have a tattoo for my daughter even before she was born 8 days ago 😂

That’s because on my inner wrist I have the basic astrology signs for my mum, me, brother and father (I call it my family portrait tattoo) and now me and my daughter share a star sign. So happy accident. Not planning at this time to have a specific tattoo for her but like I said she’s 8 days old and I’m a fan of tattoos in general having 6 already so time might change my mind.

A different story though. Few years ago I worked with a guy who had his eldest son’s name in huge gothic letters down his inner forearm. He told us one day in work his younger son had started asking why daddy didn’t have his name tattooed as well. I don’t know what that man said to his actual son but in our office he freely admitted his elder son was his favourite. My heart broke for the younger boy and I could never look at that man the same way again for the short time thereafter we worked together.

So sorry to read this.. I can imagine it’s the worst thing possible.

I don’t know a single person socially that would do this. I have seen people with them at airports. The men with them tend to have baseball caps the women have their lips done. The names are usually names like Jayden / Lexie -Mae type names.

Yet you are here seeking others opinions on getting tattoos 🤷🏼‍♀️

Im in my 60s and have no tattoos and never will. Just not for me though I think the fine line ones can be lovely.
I lost my adult ds a year ago and let me tell you , it's the worst pain you can ever feel. I would never judge a grieving parent for having a tattoo to remember their child.

I’m within that group of people you speak of, and no I don’t like them, nor do any of my friends. The funny thing is, loads of our kids are getting them! Mine haven’t….yet. I’m sure one of them will. I still won’t like them, and I like excessive piercings even less, but it’s not my body 🤷‍♀️

I agree age is very relevant.

Not for myself though, I’d never ask anyone’s opinion on my own body art. I trust my own judgement just fine. I asked out of curiosity in general. I was interested in the age divide, which I probably should have made clear in my OP but forgot

I have my children to represent my children. I'm perfectly capable of remembering them without a tattoo.

So you forgot to put the thing in your OP that you wanted to know? Sure.

You’ve contradicted yourself so much, just admit you were shit stirring OP.

Yeah. Ok Sheila 👍

Willing to bet that none of the “all tattoos are gross” comments came from anyone that’s 1. Under 60 2. Is not very, very posh

Chavtastic

This. OP has deliberately invited opinions on tattoos knowing that these threads always attract some offensive posts. Saying that they have tattoos themself was just to try to hide the shit stirring. The amount of the OP has contradicted themselves is crazy. It’s not believable at all.

eta, I’m in my 40s, no tattoos, I don’t like them so I’m not offended as literally have no skin in the game, but I can spot a shit stirrer!