Tattoo Mom: A Permanent Nightmare

I have a tattoo myself. I think a tasteful tattoo can be a unique asset to a person and a permanent artistic form of self-expression. However, when the idea to have children one day with a my large chest tattoo came to mind, I was suddenly really concerned for the sake of my future children. For one thing, becoming a mother would be a change in my entire way of life, and it will change me a lot as a person. Parents never want their children to make the same mistakes they did. Maybe I'm not saying that having a tattoo is a mistake, but the thought of one of my children growing up and having one-or one as large as mine, actually bothers me a great deal. I got this tattoo when I was at a different point in my life, a time when I didn't really imagine ever having children, or getting married etc. As often young people don't do, I didn't think very far ahead. Now, I regret having made the decision to have a tattoo.

I have made the decision to spend the time, money, and pain to have this tattoo removed. I'm engaged to be married and I really wish to have children with my husband someday even if right now isn't the right time. I think that these thoughts of marriage, and settling down naturally stir about thoughts to procreate. I guess I could say that my maternal clock is ticking, but I hadn't expected it. I just suddenly look forward to new aspects of my future that I hadn't really considered before and I really feel that my tattoo shouldn't be a part of that clean slate new life.

I can't help but be reminded that children are curious beings who like to ask many questions, sometimes the really tough ones that are difficult to answer. I know that having this tattoo will be questioned by my children because they want to know about those things. "What is that thing on you, mommy?.. How'd you get that picture on you?... Where did that come from, mommy?... When I'm big, can I have one too, mommy?" How does a mother answer those questions? I don't think I could answer those questions without saying, "Mommy made a mistake, and now she has to live with it..." How could I live with that sort of regret and then lay that sort of burden over my children. Now, I may be left with a scar after the removal and I will say..."Mommy made a mistake when she got a tattoo put on her body, and this is what happens when you get a tattoo and you don't want it anymore one day..." So, they can grow up knowing very clearly that decisions have consequences and some of those consequences may be with them for the rest of their lives. I suppose I just want them to know to choose wisely. I can't prevent them from one day getting tattoos all over, but I can at least have this one removed so that I don't have to hear, "But you have a tattoo mom, you're such a hypocrite...why can't I have one if you have one?!"

I made a mistake. I was young...younger, and my life has changed, and having children will greatly change my life further and I've just become aware of the fact that perhaps mothers shouldn't have large tattoos unless they themselves wouldn't mind seeing their children grow up having many tattoos or a large tattoo as well. I think many women with tattoos wouldn't want to dream of seeing their little girls in their same tattoos one day. Their maternal nature would only want to protect them from making decisions that could be mistakes that could lead to negative consequences. In addition, there are so many evident risks to getting a tattoo including having a poor artist, an infected needle, infection, and not to mention rejection from may good paying jobs etc. Although, millions of people receive tattoos everyday and do not face the consequences, as a mother I would only want to protect my children from these negative possibilities. I can't protect them from everything, but I am only there to be a role model and to help assist them in the right direction.

I've really thought about all of this a great deal and having a tattoo as a mother to me would be like wearing an arrow that says, "Go this way. " while my heart and my words would be begging, "No, that's the wrong way."