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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Teen has come back off holiday with a tattoo

473 replies

GreenTartan · 28/08/2021 15:39

That's it really. He's under 18 and has a fucking tattoo on his wrist.

I'm devastated. I know they're very fashionable but that's not the point. If we'd discussed it I'd have obviously made sure he waited until he was 18. The legal age!! I'd suggested he put it somewhere it couldn't be seen with a shirt on.

As it is he won't be able to do the career he wants with a fucking tattoo on his wrist.

I know MNet will jump down my throat but I'm devastated.

We're booked for consultation to get it laser removed but fuck knows how I'm going to afford it,

His girlfriend has dumped him over it and he really regrets getting it done.

I'm just posting here to moan really, can't stop crying. Stupid stupid little boy.

OP posts:
Ddot · 29/08/2021 18:40

My niece had a holiday name and date on her arse. I almost cried. Now she is crying, due to the cost and pain of lazer removal. Daft moo

Kanaloa · 29/08/2021 18:53

@Ddot

My niece had a holiday name and date on her arse. I almost cried. Now she is crying, due to the cost and pain of lazer removal. Daft moo
What, she got like ‘Ibiza 2019?’ Or am I being daft? I did see someone on telly who had shagaluf tattooed on them.
VanishingAct · 29/08/2021 18:56

I know a group of guys (early 30s, so they didn't have the excuse of being teenagers) who all got 'Johnno's Stag - Ibiza 2018' on their arses.

Lessthanaballpark · 29/08/2021 19:03

I think I'd have to know what the tattoo is of and how it means he can't get into the career of his choice, before making a judgement but I don't understand what is wrong with him getting one! Lots of people have tattoos.

It does seem a tad dramatic to be crying about it.

FoodologistGirl · 29/08/2021 19:11

I told my daughter that if she got a tattoo, I’d get a matching one. That put her right off. She knows I would too as I stupidly had a tiny one done at 17 myself. At 25 she’s grown out of that trying to shock me phase.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/08/2021 19:16

@FoodologistGirl

I told my daughter that if she got a tattoo, I’d get a matching one. That put her right off. She knows I would too as I stupidly had a tiny one done at 17 myself. At 25 she’s grown out of that trying to shock me phase.
At 25 though, she can and should have as many tattoos as she might want, and there's naff all you could do about it.
Ddot · 29/08/2021 19:16

Kanaloa
Magaluf and date! Very thick and black.
OP what colour is it, I know red is hard to lazer

Brademajo · 29/08/2021 19:21

We do everything in our power to look after our kids - unfortunately we can't wrap them up in cotton wool. I feel for you, you are clearly upset and angry - disappointed and hurt that he did something foolish. Its really not the end of the world - he's been an idiot as you say but you had to let him out into the big world and unfortunately he made a mistake - its fixable. Give him a hug - you love him - you would still love him just as much even if he had 'I am a twat' tattooed on his forehead. (thankfully he hasnt)

FoodologistGirl · 29/08/2021 19:27

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Of course she can do as she likes, But she was just 18 at the time and In that trying to shock the parents phase.

Perky1 · 29/08/2021 19:28

I understand your reaction. It’s such a bad choice and gives the wrong impression even if he isn’t into drugs.

tommyhoundmum · 29/08/2021 19:32

My young ward, same age as your son, had one done on the top of her leg without telling me. She knew I don't like them. I was cross but didn't say anything and declined to admire or comment on it. I just think they are ugly. Hope you can get it erased.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/08/2021 19:33

@FoodologistGirl

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Of course she can do as she likes, But she was just 18 at the time and In that trying to shock the parents phase.

Yes. I'm glad I didn't have mine done at 18, I guess.
howrudeforme · 29/08/2021 19:34

Mmmmm don’t have a problem with tattoos generally but getting them removed is expensive, painful and doesn’t really work.

Depending on where it is, can be covered up. If bit, clothes.

bringbacksideburns · 29/08/2021 19:38

Complete over reaction.
Can't stop crying? Really?

It could be worse. It could be on his neck or a teardrop on his face. At least he can cover it with a plaster and if it's on his wrist it will hardly be seen.
It it was a cannabis leaf then he was being a bit twattish but his girlfriend dumping him makes me feel a bit sorry for him tbh. Grin

He can easily get that covered up. I watched a programme on the Police a few weeks ago and they were working with full tattoo sleeves. I also have a wrist tattoo and tattoos all over my feet and they arent noticed unless i specifically point them out.

SnotandBothered · 29/08/2021 20:02

I am wracking my brains trying to figure out what the tattoo is...

Drug-related, but so subtle a nearly eighteen year old who is old enough to go on holiday/have a girlfriend/get a tattoo, didn't know what it meant?

I literally can't think of anything. Please tell us OP.

Also. I'd be royally fucked off too fwiw

TeiTetua · 29/08/2021 20:02

If having a tattoo disqualifies you for work then we're going to be supporting a hell of a lot of unemployable people.

Marguerite2000 · 29/08/2021 20:05

@Esspee

You are not being unreasonable OP. The arseholes on here trying to tell you it is no big deal obviously have no chance of a high flying career where tattoos, especially the type your son now has, will exclude them. I would be distraught if either of mine did this. I hope it can be removed but make sure he gets a job and pays you back.
Who do you think you are, calling people 'arseholes' because they disagree with the OP? He will be able to have it removed in the future if he wants to, OP.
BabyRace · 29/08/2021 20:08

I doubt OP is coming back.

ThreeWitches · 29/08/2021 20:08

@FoodologistGirl

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Of course she can do as she likes, But she was just 18 at the time and In that trying to shock the parents phase.

Or she could have genuinely just wanted one, yet you guilted her out of it?
ThreeWitches · 29/08/2021 20:10

@Esspee

You are not being unreasonable OP. The arseholes on here trying to tell you it is no big deal obviously have no chance of a high flying career where tattoos, especially the type your son now has, will exclude them. I would be distraught if either of mine did this. I hope it can be removed but make sure he gets a job and pays you back.
Yeahhh, you’re the only ‘arsehole’ on this thread 🤣

Please list the ‘high-flying’ careers that you can’t have if you have tattoos.

We’ll wait.

LovelyIssues · 29/08/2021 20:12

Wtaf. His girlfriend dumped him over it and you're devastated?! Christ you'd have shit an egg if I was your teenager back in the dayBlush

LovelyIssues · 29/08/2021 20:12

I can guarantee he also did realise what the tattoo represented 🤣

coeliacsucks · 29/08/2021 20:13

Massive over reaction on your part, he will never tell you anything again!

Also interested in the high flying carers you cannot have with tattoos, I didn't know part of your brain fell out when you had them done! They should advertise that more!

Bobbi73 · 29/08/2021 20:22

If it helps, I once saw a beautiful 18 year old and when she turned around, well over half her back was covered by in a huge cannabis leaf.
That was about 20 years ago. I bet she regretted that!
It could have been worse. 😀

Frazzled2207 · 29/08/2021 20:35

I'd be raging. Both with him and the place that did it - do they not have to ask for proof of age? Can they be reported somehow?
Anyway once I'd made it VERY clear what I thought I think I'd try and turn into supportive mum and come up with a plan to get it removed. I'd try and pay myself so that it could be done asap but then he'd be paying me back.

Is he due back at school this week? what will happen there?