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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:
ElspethFlashman · 28/08/2021 15:55

If it's a marijuana leaf, he 100% knew.

SimonJT · 28/08/2021 15:55

Whats the career OP?

SquirryTheSquirrel · 28/08/2021 15:57

It's a tattoo associated with drugs, which he didn't realise!

Would it be possible to change it to something different, as a cheaper option in the short term? You could speak to a decent tattoo artist and find out.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 28/08/2021 15:57

Can't stop crying and devastated?
Over reaction
If he's got himself a silly tattoo he will just have to deal with it , one of life's lessons
It's a picture on his skin , believe me I worry about my son growing up all the time ( knives guns drugs) tattoos are nothing
But I do have 6 myself Grin
And I've got a really stupid one of a fairy on my shoulder that looks ridiculous now I am middle aged but you live and learn !

NerrSnerr · 28/08/2021 15:59

What is the actual tattoo? Can it be changed in the short term?

I'm still curious about the career.

AnnieBanannie1 · 28/08/2021 15:59

What exactly is it though op?
If it's a leaf he 100% knew

I think his gf dumping him is stupid tbh.

vodkaredbullgirl · 28/08/2021 16:01

Have you not seen Tattoo Fixer. Plenty of young people who have got drunken tattoos and regretted it.

BoomChicka · 28/08/2021 16:01

Breathe. I would be very suprised if one small arm tattoo would prevent any career these days, what career is it?

TeenMinusTests · 28/08/2021 16:02

I understand.
My eldest was doing a job with a dress code that said no visible tattoos, & a polo shirt uniform. She got a tattoo on her lower forearm...
You will get over it.

SionnachRua · 28/08/2021 16:03

The GF dumping him over this is ridiculous tbh. Might've just been a handy reason to drop him if she wasn't into the relationship anymore.

AnImposter · 28/08/2021 16:03

Can't he just cover it with a watch?

WeAreTheHeroes · 28/08/2021 16:03

@AnnieBanannie1

What exactly is it though op? If it's a leaf he 100% knew

I think his gf dumping him is stupid tbh.

Maybe she thought he was stupid and that's why she dumped him.
PhilCornwall1 · 28/08/2021 16:03

What career bans you from having a tattoo on your wrist?

They don't have to ban, they just won't appoint the person if they can see it's visible.

We've got someone at work who will immediately "red line" a person if they spot a tattoo.

Bloody good job I have long sleeves is all I can say.

Kithic · 28/08/2021 16:04

Why are you crying?

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 28/08/2021 16:04

God, chill out.

Enb76 · 28/08/2021 16:04

If it is a marijuana leaf no-one will care and it won’t stop him from having the career of his choice. Poor boy, you are all overreacting.

Cuddlypinkcat · 28/08/2021 16:06

Oh dear! Drug reference nor helpful if he want to be a teacher/go in the police but otherwise most tattoos don't even get a second glance.
Short term a wrist band or wide strap watch. There's also very effective make up for covering tattoos.
Longer term, laser removal or a decent tattooist to change it/make it look like something else.
Most people have tattoos and unless it's on the face it's not really something to get worked up about.
Longer term, either laser as you've said

Gooseberrypies · 28/08/2021 16:07

If this is real, what a massive overreaction. His career will be fine, if his girlfriend really has left him over that (and not one of the other million things teen boys do on a lads holiday that he might not want you to know about…) then she is being ridiculous. It is pathetic to cry over it.

lljkk · 28/08/2021 16:10

It's fixable. One problem at a time.

Mama1980 · 28/08/2021 16:11

What does he want to do? I can't think of any job where this would be an issue.
If he does want it removed please do your research. Unfortunately laser removal doesn't always work and it can cause a scar in itself. My tattoo artist always advises against it though he does provide the service, unless you don't mind the unpredictability of the scar/outcome. There might also be a waiting period to allow the skin to heal, newer tattoo tend to react more unpredictably.
If it's the association that's the issue rather than the tattoo itself then it could be probably be easily covered up or adapted by a decent artist.

MadeForThis · 28/08/2021 16:12

Cover up would be easier than removal.

MyOtherProfile · 28/08/2021 16:12

It's really dumb but will it really stop him doing his chosen career? Can't he just cover it with something until he can afford to have it removed?

logsonlogsoff · 28/08/2021 16:12

What career wouldn't allow a tattoo?? In the meantime you can get very good artists makeup which will cover it up and make it look like skin.
TV/Film shoots use it all the time to cover the tattoos of actors for camera, so it's very effective

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 28/08/2021 16:14

Mine got one at 17 the bloody dogs name and a star so he’s now walking about with that on his leg
Looks daft, his mistake or not
Can’t get myself worked up about it tbh
Your son knew what he was doing

MondayYogurt · 28/08/2021 16:15

I saw a kid with a hand tattoo I'd assume something was wrong with the parents tbh. It's not a traditional first tattoo location.

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