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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To NOT want my DD to get a tattoo?

246 replies

neiljames77 · 27/12/2013 16:24

She's 18 tomorrow and I have so far told her I don't want her to have one.
After tomorrow though, I have no say at all. Some of her friends have them and they look hideous and have even ruined their career prospects by having them.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 27/12/2013 19:26

I didn't want dd1 to get one there was a tattosit doing kids when she was in high school I was sweating incase she got one but she didn't and was dissapointed that I wouldn't pay for one when she was 18 she can pay for it herself she is yet to do it

neiljames77 · 27/12/2013 19:30

Was it Ryanair, mrsjay?

OP posts:
mrsjay · 27/12/2013 19:33

no thomas cook (or maybe thompsons cant remember now)

HairyGrotter · 27/12/2013 19:37

I got my first tattoo at 13, that was 20 years ago and I still love it.

I've added more since Wink. Your DD will do as she pleases and as an 'adult' there's very little you can do to stop it. My tattoos have never stood in my way in any circumstance, in fact most folk don't know I have them because they can all be covered

NoComet · 27/12/2013 19:40

If by 18 she hasn't got the sense to keep a tattoo small and recoverable, it's unlikely there is much you can do about it.

Other than state there will be no more money ever and no roof over your head in university holidays, which is what I would say fir facial piercings and ear stretching because they make me physically sick.

Tattoos if they aren't on the face and don't involve skulls, I can live with.

neiljames77 · 27/12/2013 19:47

I know there's nothing I can do about it or anything else for that matter.
She thinks that when she's a fully fledged nurse, she can afford a nice flat and a nice car. She's forgotten about the bills, tax and insurance etc.

OP posts:
MostWicked · 27/12/2013 19:47

I have yet to see a tattoo that didn't look revolting. I just hate them.

DH has one that he got a very long time ago. It's tasteful enough, and easily hidden, but he really regrets it and wishes he could have it removed.

I have a relative who has loads. Most of them have been cover ups of previous ones she loved at first, but went on to hate.
Tastes change.

Temporary ones are a much nicer idea, that way you can change the design when it fades.

dementedma · 27/12/2013 19:49

Dd2 took a year out to au pair in Spain.Came back with improved grasp of the language, a sense of independence and a tatoo!
She is a talented singer and has had music notes tatooed on her belly.At the moment it looks fab on her taut stomach. Will look hideous when shes old and saggy but hey, there are worse things she could do!

Oblomov · 27/12/2013 20:12

I like tatoo's. But most that I see are VILE. Common and badly drawn .
My brother had one done by Darren Stares. In Portsmouth. He has a long waiting list. My brothers is nice. Dh has 2 he regrets. My niece is 23, teacher training College. 3, including one inside of her wrist. She regrets them. They are horrid.

Oblomov · 27/12/2013 20:13

OP where does she want it done? Wrist?

MrsDeVere · 27/12/2013 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thegrinchishere · 27/12/2013 20:22

op >

My dd (18) was a bit of a trail blazer - calmed down a lot now! She has had two, both in areas easily covered up.

I begged pleaded nothing worked so we looked at places that can be covered up with sleeves , trousers ect...

Indeed it can hamper future work prospects so that must be in mind!

mrsjay · 27/12/2013 20:25

She thinks that when she's a fully fledged nurse, she can afford a nice flat and a nice car. She's forgotten about the bills, tax and insurance etc.

they all think like that at 18 . a tattoo isn't going to change her career choice i am sure nurses have tattoos my friend has a tattoo she is a theatre sister (or are they charge nurses now) just say to dd as long as it is small it is fine

neiljames77 · 27/12/2013 20:27

Oblomov, wrist, ankle or shoulder. Something like that. Her friends have them and she watches LA Ink etc. Monkey see, monkey do.

OP posts:
DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 27/12/2013 20:29

Like I said I'm a nurse and I have tattoos. I have a nice house and car. They're not just pipe dreams she can make them happen.

mrsjay · 27/12/2013 20:32

DD2 loves L A ink so do i she is dying for a tattoo I just said the same as i did with her sister she can pay for it herself

IamInvisible · 27/12/2013 20:32

I've resigned myself to the fact that, at some point, my DSes (19&17) will get a tattoo. It's much better than wringing my hands worrying or threatening not to give them food money if they do.

DS1 went to Malia last year, a few of them got tattoos, he didn't. He's just had his birthday, he couldn't make up his mind what he wanted so I offered to pay for a tattoo if that was what he really wanted, (he does talk about it quite a lot)he turned me down!

DS2 wants to be a nurse, he doesn't want tattoos on his arms.

chubbychipmonk · 27/12/2013 20:32

I have 5 tattoos and have a successful career, that said none of them are visible.

Any on side of hand, neck, behind ear etc are generally not viewed in a great light by employers (in my experience).

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 27/12/2013 20:32

And when she's a fully fledged nurse there's no reason she can't afford those things. She will start off on 21k which is easy enough to afford a nice flat and a car.

Bonsoir · 27/12/2013 20:37

Tattoos are a proxy for a personality. Suggest to your DD that she develops herself as a person instead. A tattoo is quicker, of course...

goodasitgets · 27/12/2013 20:40

I have 6. A wrist one but that can be covered with a watch or bracelet. Two on my stomach, two on my back and this inner ankle one
i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/brighthair84/9E71C1F6-B338-4804-9BB5-7D9932E313CC-257-00000014003FC1E1_zps0bc7eafc.jpg

I work within the NHS, it's actually becoming more common to see people with full sleeves etc
However I choose to have mine where I can cover them

thenightsky · 27/12/2013 20:52

I think they are ugly bloody things.

But it's all subjective I guess.

neiljames77 · 27/12/2013 20:53

DoYouLikeMyBaubles,
I worked it out for her:
Car insurance:£100 per wk
Car loan+fuel:£100 per wk
Rent, minimum:£100 per wk
Council tax, water, gas, electric:£100 per wk
She will also need food and clothes.

Money left over for tattoos:£0 per wk.

All I got for pointing this out to her was a blank stare for a few seconds, then, "shut up Dad!"

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 27/12/2013 20:58

Tell her to be careful if she wants to be a nurse - our Board has a 'no visible tattoos' clause in its local dress/uniform policy.

thenightsky · 27/12/2013 21:08

I work for NHS. No visible tattoo policy here too.