I think it will be very cool when you get it done, and your kids will still love you…even if their teacher looks at you sort of weird.

I got my nose stud at 34 (and I’m the pastor’s wife at a First Baptist Church in rural Oklahoma). My kids are totally okay with it. My daughter thought I was NUTS, but she thinks it’s great … for ME! ha!

I’m 37 and planning on getting my first tattoo in the next year. I have about 4-5 more planned. And it’s not to be “cool” either, rather, to represent some challenges with my health I’ve had over the past 12 years.

And yeah, I have 2 kids. So this mom thinks what you’re planning is neat I teach my kids to look at the person inside (and admire the art on the outside!)

My mom is going to freak though ROFL

LIke you I have tat’s where no one see’s them unless I choose to show them. They are higly personal and I take a long time planning the what and the where.

And maybe it’s just because I am an Aussie but, who gives a shit what people think? If the kids teachers behave like that…. cause you have such a wonderful tattoo on your foot… then that is enough warning to get the kids FAR AWAY from those teachers.

Is there any more profound way to show the kids and Kaiser how much they mean to you, than having them permanently on your skin (as opposed to under it as usual lol)

I can say for the tat that I think it is a wonderful idea. The tattoo itself sounds like a beautiful piece of artwork. I also think that the meaning behind it is a valuable lesson for your kids. Practically it can show them that when the time comes and they want to adorn their body it shouldn’t be taken lightly. ie. it should be artwork that really means something to them. It can also serve as another way to illustrate to them the importance of your union with your husband and children.

I’m not saying they’ll get these things now, they are young, but one day these could be good lessons if this new tat is something really important to you. I think giving yourself something you want that is important to you and will help to further define your identity is healthy and in turn good for your kids.

As far as the uptight teachers, are tats really that big a deal anymore? Even those you can see have become less and less out of the ordinary.

I like the idea of working the kids’ names into the design. I’ve wanted to get some kind of tattoo with my girls’ names as well, but haven’t figured out where I want it to be or what I want it to look like. I once saw another mom’s foot tattoo with her girls’ names. They were on the sides of her feet with simple flowers & vines, where they could be covered with flats or heels. For me, a foot tattoo wouldn’t be permanent unless it were right on top. On the side I’d end up pumicing it off! ha ha ha!

If you DO run into one of THOSE people (”I would never damage my body with a tattoo! You’re just sick!”) look at it as an opportunity to teach the munchkins about the kind of people they do and do not want to emulate. Or to teach them how to handle confrontation in a mature way (”why don’t we talk about how you have been acting towards my kids since you saw my tattoo?”) instead of a more, um, volatile manner (”my tattoo and I invite you outside so I can kick your ass”).

Get the tattoo. It’s something meaningful to you and the Kaiser. It’s okay to be selfish once in awhile. Not everything in life has to be for the kids. And you want it. Don’t worry about the other stuff.

If you want one that will always stand out (instead of something you can hide if needed), you could design a tattoo to go across the scar from your thyroid surgery.

I’ve always thought about getting a tattoo, but I’ve never actually done it yet. Someday.