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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Henna tattoo and school?

56 replies

pastapestofor6 · 23/07/2010 10:30

My 6 year old came home from school yesterday with a henna tattoo covering most of his forearm, it is a huge tiger and it also says his name in big capital letters, now the school did not ask permission for him to have this done, we were not even told a thing about it. Am I being unreasonable in thinking they should not have done this without asking parental permission? he is a page boy on saturday and he has to wear a short sleeved shirt, any chance it will fade before then? and how about allergic reactions, I have read horro stories about henna tattoo's causing awful scars?
I am actually a bit cross about this, so AIBU?

OP posts:

PixieOnaLeaf · 23/07/2010 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

scurryfunge · 23/07/2010 14:38

I think Pixie because the unnatural Henna is quite likely to cause a reaction.

Firawla · 23/07/2010 15:30

i do think its quite bad of the school to do it without asking, especially such a big one and on his arm, if it couldnt be seen then okay...
it should be able to come off before 5-6 weeks though mine normally fade much quicker, if you put all the lemon and sugar kinda stuff on then it might last that long but otherwise i doubt it. scrub it loads..
iv used bleach before to get mine off quicker but would not really recommend for a child!
if all else fails maybe look for a long sleeve shirt for him to be a page boy?
but yes its valid to complain to the school

Sari · 23/07/2010 15:37

Dd had one recently and decided she didn't like it (cue lots of crying and screaming). When we got home we washed it loads, rubbed at it with olive oil, hydrogen peroxide and make-up remover (one at a time, not as a noxious potion) and it immediately faded substantially. About two days and quite a few more handwashes later it had gone. Maybe it was a weak strain but we had been told to expect it to last weeks rather than days.

GetOrfMoiLand · 23/07/2010 15:40

No, it would piss me off if my teenager came home from school with a henna tattoo, let alone at primary school.

What was the school thinking?

misdee · 23/07/2010 15:53

oh no, i wouldnt be happy.

btw blaCK HENNA THAT HAS BEEN WITH Ppd IS THE ONE TH TA CAUSES REACVTIONS AND scarring.

Original poster

pastapestofor6 · 24/07/2010 09:06

I had a word with the teacher, she said 'well it was all a bit impromptu so we asked the children if they would like it done, it will fade anyway' of course he wanted it done he is bloody 6!! but I didn't want it done grrr silly stupid woman!, she honestly couldn't see the issue

OP posts:

DoNotFeedMeBiscuits · 24/07/2010 09:16

That is shocking. YANBU. Allergic reactions aside, did they not think to check with parents for the exact reason it's a problem for you - formal events and things?! Can he possibly wear a long sleeved shirt?

newpup · 24/07/2010 09:39

I would be furious! I would be making a complaint to the head and governors. I am amazed a school would allow it to take place without your consent.

Original poster

pastapestofor6 · 24/07/2010 09:54

sadly he can't wear a long sleeved shirt as all 3 boys are wearing same outfit (sil's choice)
sil aka bridezilla has suggested i try some fake tan to cover it up! can you imagine
I will have a word with head and find out why parental permission wasn't thought an issue, but it will have to be sept now i suppose

OP posts:

firsttimemum77 · 24/07/2010 10:44

I would be very cross if my child came home with a henna tattoo from school, especially if the school has not asked permission!

On my wedding I had beautiful henna design on my hands (cultural), however when I went on honeymoon I went in to the sea and the henna just washed off (well faded considerably). I don't know whether the henna used for tattoos is different to that used for bridal henna, but (long shot) if you live near the sea might be worth a visit? Or failing that try water mixed with some salt - it might fade...

MilkNoSugarPlease · 24/07/2010 10:50

God I'd be fuming!

I had a henna tattoo and It started to fade after 3/4 days, I used a ton of ex foliating scrub and soap etc to fade it more

Copious washing! Everytime he washes his hands, wash his arm too!

seeker · 24/07/2010 11:14

I do think some people must have lovely peaceful happy lives if they have the emotional energy to spare to fume about things like his!

MilkNoSugarPlease · 24/07/2010 11:22

Only because ex-charge of mine as allregic to henna and 8000 other things, the rash it can cause is awful!

MilkNoSugarPlease · 24/07/2010 11:22

oh fgs! I think I would have got an even lower score then your S & DD in spelling seeker!

glasscompletelybroken · 24/07/2010 11:26

My SD had this done at school last week but the school asked permission first. Some parents said no - which they are absolutely entitled to. I think it's really wrong of a school not to ask.

megapixels · 24/07/2010 11:29

Never knew about allergies, we use it during Eid, weddings etc. and I've never known anyone to have a reaction.

The school should have asked first. It looks absolutely horrible at the stage when it's all patchy and coming off, not a good look for a page boy .

SugarMousePink · 24/07/2010 14:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cece · 24/07/2010 14:19

As a teacher I have done henna tattoos in class but only on myself - so the children could see what they would look like. I used those lovely stencils on the hand. It looked lovely! I would never put it on a child wihtout permission though. I am

katiestar · 24/07/2010 14:27

What is a school doing henna tattoos for anyway? Aren't they supposed to be educating childtren not adorning them?

seeker · 24/07/2010 17:52

Absolutely. No fun allowed. Heads down, three Rs.

bruffin · 24/07/2010 19:23

A boy at dc's primary had a horrible reaction to a henna tattoo he got on holiday, it took months to clear up. I wouldn't be happy if they had given ds one, he has lots of allergies including plasters so it would be likely he would react to that.

musicmadness · 24/07/2010 20:44

i had them done at school without parental permission, but that was high school not primary.
Way of getting it off that has worked for me: mix a solution of sea salt and warm water together and allow the area covered in henna to soak. sometimes some of the dye will come out doing this. After this mix sugar and lemon juice together and scrub the tattoo hard. This removed a henna tatto from me before and has removed fake tan from a friend. It is very harsh on your skin though so if your son has sensitive skin this is probably not a good idea. my hand hurt a little afterwards from scrubbing. good luck!

lanismum · 24/07/2010 21:46

This exact thing happened to me, dd1 then aged 4 came out of nursery with a beautiful, but large dark brown design on the top of her hand, we were going to a wedding the next day, luckily she was not a bridesmaid, as it was it was still very bright and she had loads of compliments so loved it, she has had designs done another 3 times since, the school have never asked my permission.....

ChippingIn · 25/07/2010 01:15

Have you managed to remove/lighten it yet??

Generally speaking I wouldn't have minded too much, even though I really dislike any kind of tattoo on kids (stick on/glitter etc) as I think they just look chavvy & messy (dons hard hat) but if it was a one off I wouldn't have said anything - but in your situaton with a wedding to go to, especially as part of the bridal party, I'd have been very annoyed. I can't believve the teachers reaction - that would have made me really angry!

I am suprised they did it without permission slips. We had to sign a permission slip for LO to get her face painted at a fair the other day, even though I was standing next to her and paid, it was the LO's pre-school teachers doing it to raise funds - we were laughing about the insanity of it and she said it was to cover them in case of any allergic reactions.

Try toothpaste too

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