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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Tattoo - 13 years old....HELP!!!!

90 replies

XXModernMomXX · 02/11/2010 17:11

Please, please can someone help? I have been an absolute idiot and let my 13 year old have a tattoo. She nagged and nagged and eventually I agreed to one on her shoulder. I have lots and didn't realise it was actually illegal at this age. Now I can't sleep, eat and am making myself ill with worry about the consequences.

I know I should have considered this more, put my foot down etc...but the fact is I didn't and I have made such a horrible mistake.

My daughter loves her tattoo and it does look nice. I have looked at what the law says and it seems that the tattooist has broken the law but not actually myself or my daughter....he knew how old she was...and like I said I didn't know it shouldn't have been allowed.

Now I am worried sick about being reported to the police or social services and haven't eaten or slept for 2 days. Can someone please help me and try and put my mind at ease as I feel like I'm going crazy and can no longer think straight!

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 02/11/2010 19:23

I always thought it would be like vaccination but worse and bigger. Like poking a puppy with a pointed stick.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 03/11/2010 09:56

No sign of the OP. Perhaps she's working to save money for her DD's labial piercing.

GiganGORE · 03/11/2010 10:03

Fuck off.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 03/11/2010 11:05

Was that aimed at me gigangore?

Moosgal · 03/11/2010 12:42

It was the responsibility of the tattooist to refuse to tattoo your daughter and explain the law to you. I actually took my 14 year old daughter to a tattooist shop once (after pre phoning and warning them of her age as she looks alot older) and just pretended that she was allowed to choose a tattoo and book an appointment, she tried and the tattooist read her the riot act and refused point blank to do it. I thought this would be the end of it but she has since discovered a tattooist that will tattoo her underage..thankfully she hasn't gone through with her threat of getting one done yet. I would explain to your daughter that you made a mistake and ask her to keep it covered whilst in school and not go bragging about it or showing all her mates. Also please don't back down and let her have anymore...I'm a huge fan of tats and know how addictive they are but 13 is too young in my opinion xx

ChickensHaveNoLips · 03/11/2010 12:53
shelleylou · 03/11/2010 13:22

If the OP has lots of tattoos it stands to reason she would take her DD to the one she uses in which case I would be worried about getting any more there.
i have several tattoo's myself the first i had at 17 without my parents knowledge i knew it was illegal for me to get it done my mum threatened legal action against the tattoo parlour. I've never had another one there, dispite my age they also did it wrong lol. My ds wants a tattoo (hes nearly 4 so its a bob the builder one he wants hehe) He has been told he has to wait till he's 18 then i will take him for one if he still wants one. I can't say he couldnt have one as it would be completely hypocritcal (sp) but i would never allow him to have one at 13. Like moosgal i know how addictive they are i've had 3 done since april this year.

WhatsThatDuckDoingThere · 03/11/2010 13:58

There's a good reason why tattoos are illegal for under 18s! Do you really think that whatever they would like etched onto their skin at 13, they will still like by the time they're 20? Hmm

Actually, there's a woman that lives in my city who has the tellytubbies on her legs. Perhaps her mum got them for her as a treat when she was two?

GiganGORE · 03/11/2010 16:51

sorry kreecher, no not you. the troll.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 04/11/2010 08:20

PMSL at Tellytubbies on legs.
OP, come back and put some pictures of your 13YO's tatts.
Gigan, I didn't think it was.

DooinMeCleanin · 04/11/2010 08:29

I got a tattoo shortly after my 15th birthday and noone said a thing.

rationality · 03/12/2010 13:33

Keep Calm and Carry On

Don't panic.

You've made a bad, bad, bad mistake.

What about when she has swimming class at school, and school notices it and reports it?

I'd suggest laser tattoo removal, and soon. If they ask where she got it, don't feel you have to answer.

Sessions are expensive, perhaps £30 each, and because it's a new tattoo it isn't going to just fall off - set aside about £400 or so pounds to have this removed.

And make sure your daughter knows you will no longer give in to her nagging - basic rule of parenting, agreed ladies?

lilmamma · 04/12/2010 22:40

my daughters boyfriend got his first at 15,and now has 11,his was on his wrists,and the school never said anything about them,he is still only 17.The legal age is 18,but some tattooists will do it under 18 and some wont.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 04/12/2010 22:44

I think it's a lovely thing to do. In fact, I'm getting the DCs (13, 11 and 3) one each for Christmas.

This thread is a wind up!! Way to go ModernMom Hmm

CARRIEHEMMING · 04/12/2010 23:06

If you are a young Mum, it is slightly (and I say this with very little compromise), but if you are over the age of 30, you have no excuse and really should consider some sort of parenting course as how could you think, seriously, that this would not have an age limit and investigate??? My daugher wanted one from the age of 15, I made her wait until it was her decision to scar herself and not mine.. and therefore investigated. let that be a lesson, next time they want to do something extreme, investigate and set boundries

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 04/12/2010 23:11

She's 34, according to her profile. And works for the Council (but obviously not the bit that deals with tatt palour licences) Grin

AnnieLobeseder · 04/12/2010 23:18

I'd worry less about SS and get her to your GP for hepatitis and HIV testing. Any tattoo 'artist' who will knowingly tattoo a 13yo is unlikely to be adhering to hygiene regulations either.

And then get her a laser appointment. Which hurts like fuck. I'm currently getting one of my tattoos removed, it was done by a wanker of a tattooist when I was 20 and has always looked like shit. Your DDs will probably not age well either.

Haha123 · 21/12/2016 23:11

Where

garlicandsapphire · 22/12/2016 14:11

Sorry OP - but its a 'Wow, REALLY?' from me..

You wont get in trouble with anyone if that's what you're worrying about. But thats not really the point is it? The point is that you thought it was okay to let her have a tattoo at 13. Something that will live with her for the rest of her life. That you went to a tattoo parlour prepared to break the law (god knows what other standards they have with regard to health and safety). And that you can't stand up to her. How will you stand up to her on all the other boundary pushing issues you have yet to face? Alcohol, drugs, sex, school work, personal safety, partying etc.

Quite shocking really.

Cosmicglitterpug · 22/12/2016 14:14

Zombie.

memyselfandaye · 22/12/2016 14:22

It's a 6yr old thread, the fictional kid is now an adult and can cover herself in ink.

RJnomore1 · 22/12/2016 14:22

Well I was wondering what to get my 12yo for Xmas...

SausagesAndMashed · 25/12/2016 00:12

There's nothing you can do about it now, but I wouldn't visit the same artist/studio again. If they're ignoring laws in regards to age then you really don't know which other laws they may be ignoring.

Stoneagemum · 25/12/2016 00:52

Total zombie thread, but why do we have an arbitrary age on it?

Total social conditioning, its not as permanent at it used to be, you can get laser removal now, yes can leave marks, so can piercing that can be done younger. Laser removal costs whereas letting piercings heal over doesn't, but the scars are still there for life.

I'm personally annoyed my teen tattooed themselves, but they have to live with it, the consequences are only the opinions of bigoted people, but I am upset as we still live in a society that is bigoted against this, it causes no harm to others, why should appearance make any difference to who you are ?

Beebeeeight · 25/12/2016 01:04

Lol she could be a mum herself on here by now!