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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:
clpsmum · 28/08/2021 18:01

Oh no just seen it's about drugs. Can he remove or cover?

Rosehip10 · 28/08/2021 18:02

Tattoos are common. I would also be really annoyed OP.

RubyFowler · 28/08/2021 18:04

Model for life drawing! Is that the career OP?

DeadButDelicious · 28/08/2021 18:04

@ShingleBeach

Oh dear.

And do the many posters who think it wouldn’t affect any career really think the police allow marijuana leaves on their officers?

For example?

Other professions, teaching, probation officer, social work, where it would be wildly inappropriate or banned, I guess he could just always wear long sleeves. But it wouldn’t work for the police.

Ah well OP: he will learn from this, and at least it can be removed.

Who was he on hol with? But then they can always go for a stroll…

I know several teachers who are heavily tattooed. We're talking full sleeves, chests, legs etc and they have jobs and are successful in them.

It's entirely possible the tattoo could be reworked into something a little more palatable such as a rose for example or he could get it removed or even use makeup to cover it. Dermablend works wonders.

It's an ill advised holiday tattoo. It really isn't the end of the world and if it's the worst thing he ever does then OP should thank her lucky stars.

He hasn't ruined his life, he's made a mistake.

Toastytoads · 28/08/2021 18:05

I would be more worried about hepatitis than a tattoo

isthisouting · 28/08/2021 18:05

I got tatttooed on my 16th birthday (about 25 years ago) in some dodgy place in a third world country. Subsequently had a few bamboo tattoos about 10 years ago... lived to tell the tale! So health wise he should be fine!

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2021 18:06

@SionnachRua

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.
Maybe, like me she thinks tattoos are gross
iloveeverykindofcat · 28/08/2021 18:07

My mum killed me at 16 for getting a tattoo

Mine took the 'that's nice dear' approach. Mind you its small, on my back and definitely not drug related so a bit different I guess.

Mimilamore · 28/08/2021 18:08

Oh stop it..... it'll be fine, what does it really matter, I expect he will get a job in his chosen field and if not then what tiny minds his prospective employer s have
So sick of this narrow perspective on what constitutes a ' good person'

Yourstupidityexhaustsme · 28/08/2021 18:09

@ShingleBeach

Oh dear.

And do the many posters who think it wouldn’t affect any career really think the police allow marijuana leaves on their officers?

For example?

Other professions, teaching, probation officer, social work, where it would be wildly inappropriate or banned, I guess he could just always wear long sleeves. But it wouldn’t work for the police.

Ah well OP: he will learn from this, and at least it can be removed.

Who was he on hol with? But then they can always go for a stroll…

If explained upon entry ‘it was a stupid tattoo I got at seventeen I will cover it up’ the police would absolutely let him in.

He could also very easily cover it up in the police. They have long sleeve shirts.

SmithfamilyRobinson · 28/08/2021 18:10

I hope you are all sitting down...?
Youngest DS - nearly 18 - DID HIS OWN LOCKDOWN TATTOO.
Gaily announced and showed us two weeks after he (and his friends) did it.
Dropped jaws all round.
THEN he did another one.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Did he regret it? Yes.
Has it put him off getting one (very much not my cup of tea). No.
I am pointing him in the direction of a professional.
Unfortunately, the devil makes time for idle hands.

Redsquirrel5 · 28/08/2021 18:16

I hate them.
When DS3 was 19 he pulled up his sock and I then saw he had a Celtic tattoo right up his leg- ankle to knee. I wasn’t happy but he no longer lived at home so nothing I could do. My best friend feels the same her son DS3 and my son’s BF has a similar one and now a whole lot more on his shoulder, chest and arm and her DIL wore a beautiful off the shoulder wedding dress with tattoos over her shoulder and down her arm.

My workplace didn’t allow them to be seen and piercings were to be removed. Primary school. So it is true some workplaces don’t allow them.

MyOtherProfile · 28/08/2021 18:21

@allyouneedisconnection

I'm in a career where no tattoos are allowed. They do still exist. OP, I agree he needs to put in the extra hours at work to get it removed if that's what he wants.
I'm really curious to know what careers insist on no tattoos. Not that I have any or would ever get any...
mydogisthebest · 28/08/2021 18:22

@Itscoldouthere

I’m currently living in Canada and it’s tattoo central here, I’m amazed at how many people have tattoos and the number they have, so many males and females have legs and arms covered with them. My eldest (in UK) had a large tattoo on his upper thigh when he was 21, I don’t really like it but you mainly don’t see it. My DH really dislikes them and always said he would never pay towards one, he wasn’t too pleased when DS had his done, but once they are old enough you can’t really stop them if they pay for it themselves, same with piercings. My eldest brother (who is now in his 60s) had forearm tattoo in his 20s he regretted them and spent years wearing long sleeve shirts. He finally had them removed in his 50s it was very painful and expensive. I do think it’s a generational thing though and it really is very normal for younger people to now want or have a tattoo, but getting one underage on holiday is never a good idea, however it may put him off ever having any more.
It's tattoo central in the UK. All over arms and legs, necks, boobs.

They actually make me feel physically sick especially on legs.

Cissyandflora · 28/08/2021 18:24

@Theworldisquiethere

Oh in fact *@Cissyandflora* she says he’s “an obviously under 18 year old” so likely to be a fair bit younger
No. I’ll eat my hat if he’s more than three months from his 18th birthday. Op would definitely be staying his age if he was younger. He’s nearly 18. As I’ve said many times.
GnomeDePlume · 28/08/2021 18:31

For all the people claiming that a tattoo wont be a problem in any career. This is from the army recruitment website:

TATTOO RULE #2
Tattoos that are offensive or obscene, ie those that depict sex acts, violence or illegal drugs for example are a no-no.

TheCanyon · 28/08/2021 18:32

@GreenTartan

Worth checking that it was done in a decent place with good hygiene standards, single-use needles etc. Though. That would be my main concern

That was my main concern, no reputable tattooist would be tattooing an obviously under 18 year old, without photo ID.

He says the tattooist used a new needle( or whatever it's called) and he took it out a wrapper. But who the fuck knows.

Honestly I could kick him from here to kingdom come! Little shite!

I dunno about that, I got both nipples, clit hood and two tattoos on my wrist when I was 17. No ID asked for and this was at one of the most reputable terrorists in Glasgow.

I mind how mad my dad was when he first saw my wrist (and tongue piercing at 15), he was fucking raging and refused to help me move into student halls. He's got a bloody homemade tattoo on his forearm that he pleads ignorance about. Thank fuck he's never seen my tits or fanny Grin

Lily78123 · 28/08/2021 18:33

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

This isn’t the case anymore, a tattoo on the wrist will not hold his career back. On the neck of face - maybe, but wrist is a non issue.

TheCanyon · 28/08/2021 18:33

Tattooists, NOT terrorists ffs GrinGrinGrin clearly some on here will disagree though...

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 28/08/2021 18:34

@GnomeDePlume

For all the people claiming that a tattoo wont be a problem in any career. This is from the army recruitment website:

TATTOO RULE #2
Tattoos that are offensive or obscene, ie those that depict sex acts, violence or illegal drugs for example are a no-no.

Somehow I can't see the son of this op going into the army doesn't seem "high flying" enough for her over reaction.
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 28/08/2021 18:35

Am racking my brain for careers that are closed to people with tattoos

Dixiechickonhols · 28/08/2021 18:35

I’d be more worried re hygiene. Any reputable tattoo artist will want proof 18 and usually have waits for appointments. Worth checking licenced etc.

GallowwayGirl88 · 28/08/2021 18:36

When DS3 was 19 he pulled up his sock and I then saw he had a Celtic tattoo right up his leg- ankle to knee.
Tbf, a Celtic tattoo is the best football related tattoo you can get Wink

I think it’s a very generational issue, most people have tattoos these days and like a lot of pp have said this includes doctors, CEOs, architects, lecturers etc. Can’t think of a career who wouldn’t hire someone with wrist tattoo…hand model maybe?

OP - it was a daft decision, but it’s not going to ruin his life.

MrsRobbieHart · 28/08/2021 18:38

I’m surprised the army use the phrase “a no-no” on their official website. Makes it seem like they’d prefer you didn’t have them Grin but will over look it rather than saying “aren’t permitted”

Papergirl1968 · 28/08/2021 18:40

Was this in the UK, Op? If so, I’d be contacting the licensing department of the relevant council. I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing they are supposed to check ID.
I’d be devastated - and furious - too.