I’m Not a Fan of McDonald’s, but this is Kinda McCool
While sitting on the pot lounging by the pool So I was flipping through an issue of Parenting magazine.
(Don’t laugh. It was free with my purchase of a Boppy pillow. Yeah, I filled out the card and sent it in. At the time I mistakenly thought I’d have all sorts of free time to read magazines while my children were entertained by our sophisticated and hilarious yet not-too-attractive nanny.)
(Anyway.)
I was flipping through Parenting magazine and saw this McDonald’s ad.
Don’t see anything interesting about it? How about now?
Mama’s hip and cute and . . . and she’s got a tattoo on her arm.
Coincidence, as one of my fave bloggers, Nic @ My Bottle’s Up, wrote up an insightful bit (as a guest poster) about tattoos and other scars and marks, how they tell a story.
I have three tattoos: one on my shoulder blade, one on my hip (or maybe it’s a flank? it used to be a hip) and one below the belt. (Sorry, mom.) None of them are especially visible unless I’m wearing a bathing suit or spaghetti-strap tank top, which I will never in my life ever wear again unless I drop like 10 or 15 pounds.
I’m not “into” tattoos, but I like them and think that, if you put thought and feeling into them, they’re pretty awesome.
All three of mine were meaningful for me at the time. Now, with the exception of the first one I got, they’re really just memories of who I used to be. I’m not ashamed of them or anything. It’s just that I’ve changed and I don’t think about them much anymore.
I’d like to get another one, though. One that will always, always be relevant.
Since the girls were born, I’ve thought on and off about getting another tattoo to signify or commemorate or honor or . . . something my daughters. I think Angelina Jolie had kind of a cool/unique idea with hers. And my gal pal, Mommy Melee, got a really pretty, symbolic piece of art to acknowledge her sons.
Really, I’m not looking to copy anyone else’s ideas or designs. I just need the seed of an idea to make my own. I need some inspiration.
I’m not in a rush. I want to find something meaningful for me and fitting to my daughters. I also want to be able to add onto it to acknowledge future children (what, did you think I’d stop at two?).
So, I’d love to hear about your tattoos. Did you get one for your kids? Or what are your thoughts on mommy tattoos?
14 comments
I have four tattoos, three of them symbolize something and the fourth is just sort of a “frame” for the others.
I, too, would like to get something to commemorate the kiddos, but I’m not sure what.
I like {actually LOVE} the idea of a tattoo for my babies. I thought after the twins were born {numbers 5 & 6!!} that instead of duplicating Ange’s lat/long co-ordinates of all her children’s brthplaces… that I would do all their names and birthdays!!
That way there’s a slim chance I’ll recall who the hell they all are!! and maybe they’ll get a card…….
Ive thought about it numerous times, but cant come up with something that would give her justice. SO has his sons name on his arm, so now he’ll have to get izabellas. Until i can figure out what I really want, my permanent mark of her is about 14X6 across my belly and resembles what I call a hamburger butt.
I agree with EmyG. I can’t come up with anything that seems significant enough, or worth the pain involved that would do justice to my girls…so I guess I just pretend i’ll get a tattoo when I come up with the right art. So, never probably. Perhaps you should check out http://mommytattoos.com/
It took me about eight months to find something I really wanted for the boys. Now that the thought is in your head, I bet you’ll get inspired when you’re not even thinking about it. I’m psyched for you, because it’s a near-spiritual experiencing getting a tattoo for your kids.
I LOVE YOUR KIDS.
should I get a tattoo of a pizza? One slice for each boy and the hubby? As the family gets bigger, I can add slices. I really don’t know what better way to honor them than with their fave food (yes, even my 9mo old loves pizza). Ok, ok, if you want to steal my idea go ahead. I’ll come up with something else.
I have this thing about tattoos. I can’t get one.
I have this vision of getting one and thinking it’s all cool, really expressing me, my point of view, fun, just being my own personal icon.
Wham.
Then I have a flash-forward moment to when I’m 89-yrs-old & in a nursing home. And some nurse comes into my room to give me a sponge bath. And she says to another nurse, “What do you think that was?” in reference to said tattoo.
And I sit there, toothless, unable to talk, and stare blankly at them. Unable to explain that it was this ultra-cool icon expressing my youth, my vigor, my silly impetuous self that I can be.
I can’t do it.
I love tattoos!!!
I have 9 tattoos and can’t wait to get more! All of my tattoos can be covered up, if needs be, but I didn’t get them to hide them! I think my favorite tattoo, and the one that I get the most comments on, is the flower I have on my big toe! Hurt like a %^$#@ getting it, but it’s sooo cute! My BFF (of 16 years) and I each have one…we match! Awwww…
I had the names of my two oldest children put on my upper arm. I don’t regret having them put there…but, I am probably going to do a cover-up over them and do something different. I thought it was pretty cool when Tommy Lee had his children write their names (in their cute, little, kiddy handwriting) on him and then he was tatt’d over them. I didn’t have an appreciation, at the time, for my childrens hand-written names but now that they are older, I do!
I’ve also seen the newborn footprints done and I think that is pretty cute too! But…I’ve been told that you have to have a really, really good artist do it or it can come out looking funky. There’s nothing like having a funky footprint on your body!
I’ve also thought of doing their birthdates in Roman Numerals. Just an idea…
I can’t wait to see what you come up with…someday!
My half sleeve is made up of various elements that symbolize my kids. I took the meanings of their names and came up with visual representations of those meanings. I’m mostly happy with my choices, although sometimes I wish I had found an artist who could have interpreted the ideas a little more cleanly. I’ll be adding to it soon with something for my daughter, which will extend it into a full sleeve. Can’t freakin’ wait.
OOOO now i LOVE the handwritten name idea that Jennifer mentions!
How about a marsh flower (Althea) and since Elise is “God is my Oath” something that means God or Oath to you?
I’ve got a boatload of tattoos myself; most have meaning, some are the result of boredom while hanging out around a tattoo shop.
My most recent, though – the only one I’ve gotten in the past 9 years – is a scarab beetle with Piper’s name in hieroglyphics. Sound trite, but Adam is Egyptian so the symbolism means a lot to his family. He also got the same theme on his back, and one on his chest for his son.
I’m a big fan of tattoos (and really, accessories of any kind). It’ll come to you.
Tattoos are incredibly special. I have three and each one I share with someone else. The first, between my shoulder blades, is something I drew to represent my two best friends, we each had it done in celebration of ten years of friendship…my second is the fleur de lys on my foot, my parents, sister and I got it done for Christmas this past year, it’s the symbol on the Quebec Flag (mom’s hometown)…the most recent is my dog’s paw print on my ribs which I got with my live-in boyfriend since we met at the dog park.
I think a tattoo to symbolize the bonds of motherhood is an incredible idea. Maybe you could get your man to get it too and it could become a family tradition
you are the absolute SWEETEST for writing this. thank you for simply thinking of me.
i really needed that today.
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