Tattoos… Just No.

My 12-year-old loves to express herself with writing, singing, and in how she dresses. She enjoys being different, looking unique and setting herself apart from others. To this end, she has brought up the idea of getting a tattoo for a few months now.

Her dad wears his large arm and shoulder tattoos proudly, and prominently. Me, on the other hand, do not boast a single tattoo, not even a small, hidden one. I don’t like them, they are simply not for me.

I also rarely like to see tattoos on other people, I find they can spoil someone’s look, much in the way too much makeup or a bad haircut can. I don’t understand the desire to have an image printed permanently on one’s skin.

I’ve told my daughter that while she will be allowed to choose for herself once she’s an adult, I’d prefer her not to mar her body in that way. I remind her that she was created from love in my body, and that she looks perfect just the way she is, but she barely listens.

Believing she wants to find an outlet for her self-expression, I let her dye her hair, and double-pierce her ears. But a tattoo? No. I just can’t get my head around it!

Featured image photo credit: Kikovic/Thinkstock 

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.