I hate tattoos. I really do. My son has several.

Yesterday he went to his tattoo artist for a new tattoo. This morning he came down the stairs storming and really upset. Seems the tattoo was Japanese characters with a particular meaning - and the tattoo artist put it on backwards! My son was talking about suing.

A few questions, and I learned that the tattoo artist is a good friend, has done all of Scott's other (many) tattoos. So, I did the proper motherly think and suggested ways he could try to handle it without suing.

Not once did I even hint or suggest that if he was dumb enough to get a tattoo, eventually something bad was going to happen. Not a word, not a gesture, not even a grimace. I was very, very good.

But oh my, I hate tattoos.

By Marg on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 08:00 am:

You did a good thing Ginny!

Dh and I have no tattoos. But I have to tell you this about a year ago we were in the mall and you know those piercing places? Well we watched a six month old get her ears pierce. The screaming that came from that baby! We felt terrible for her, she wouldn't stop crying.

End result, I don't think my two oldest dds will ever get anything pierced or tattooed! However, the little one probably will be a different story!

By Dana on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 08:00 am:

Good girl, good girl

By Texannie on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 09:16 am:

WOW! You are good!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 12:47 pm:

The thing is, if you get a pierce and change your mind, you can just let it close up. If you get a tattoo and change your mind it is a very expensive procedure to get rid of it - as my son knows. If he can persuade his friend to make a claim to his malpractice insurance (surprisingly, tattoo artists in NJ, where this guy works, are required to have malpractice insurance), he is still looking at a year's worth of multiple laser treatments - painful and tedious.

By Cat on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 03:45 pm:

Good for you, Mom! I'm proud of you.

That's really awful about your son's tatoo. I can't imagine. I hope he can work it out with the tatoo artist. What a pain (literally).

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 06:36 pm:

Ginny, those of us with kids with tattoo fetishes HAVE to learn a way to handle it! LOL

Jules and Jen are absolute freaks about tattoos. Jules has several....Jen has one and wants to get another. At one time in my life I had actually considered getting a SMALL one in a very inconspicuous place, but chickened out. Jeff talks of getting one but he doesn't have one as of yet. 3 of my 4 kids have numerous piercings....I am getting ready to get a 3rd hole in my left ear myself and plan to wear a very small diamond stud in it all the time....but my kids go beyond ears and navels with their piercings. They are all legallly adults now, so there's nothing I can do to stop them.

You handled it well, my friend. :-)

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 06:58 pm:

He worked it out with the tattoo artist. He approached it as I suggested. The artist said (a) because the tat is new, some things can be done immediately to remove most of the ink, (b) the artist will do the rest of the removal at no charge and (c) either the artist or someone he recommends will do the new tattoo (if Scott wants it) at no charge when Scott and his skin are ready.

So, happy ending for Scott.

Golly, I hate tattoos.

P.S. He was waiting this morning for me to say something like "told you so" or "well, I told you tattoos are not a good thing" or whatever - and noticed that I didn't - and appreciated it.

By Momaroze on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 07:49 pm:

I am proud of you Ginny! Very happy for your son that things worked out for the better!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 07:52 pm:

I'm glad things worked out for your son. Your self-control is remarkable and I'm glad your son noticed.

By Momtotwoangels on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 10:45 pm:

very proud of you, I hope I do not have to deal this with my kiddos, but if i do I will come to you all for help. I do not think I could have been that strong, but than agian we never know until we are out in that situation

By Bobbie on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 11:24 pm:

LOL Glad it all worked out for the most part. My sister had to have a tattoo covered up with another tattoo. She had her ex's name but on her back. That really wasn't the issue though. That is was the ex's name. The issue was my 7th grader is a better artist. She got it when she turned 18 and now she is 27 and decided it was time to go from kindergarten graphics to something more adult. LOL Life lesson learned for her... Check out your artist before you sit under his needle.. Went in with her and watched her get it. OUCH!!!

By Bobbie on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 11:24 pm:

LOL@me.. That should have said 7 year old.

By Colette on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 08:36 am:

good for you Ginny, and I am glad it worked out.

I am with you, I can't stand tattoos.