At what age would you let your child get a tattoo?

[MushyMushy]

I'm seeing more and more kids in middle schools with tattoos and the latest one I saw just appalled me -- I admit it, I'm judging. One of my daughter's 13 year old friends got this really big tattoo on her leg... a 7-line long hand written memorial to her grandfather who died 11 years ago. (says something like RIP grandpa, his dates, I will always love and miss you, etc)

I'm a pretty flexible mom. I *considered* allowing my daughter to get a small purple rose tattoo a few months back for a charity thing (for a girl undergoing multiple transplants). I ultimately decided no, but I think I was being open minded about it.

I finally decided she can get a tattoo when she's old enough to drive herself there, pay for it with her own money and sign her own release form.

What's your limit?

 

[NMAmy]

I insisted on the age of 18. She was an adult and she paid for it with her own money. Oh, and she did run right out and get one at that time, too, but didn't tell me for a few months.

 

[allison443]

I would never let my under 18 year old child get a tattoo. If they are an age where they need my permission, it is not happening. Once they are 18, I have no say. Two of mine are over 18 and no tattoos so far!

I have never seen or heard of a middle schooler with a tattoo.

I don't even let my kids tan....they know they won't be getting tattoos!

 

[Aisling]

21 if I can help it!

 

[dawn1620]

This is an iffy one...I don't think I would allow my daughter to get one while she lived under my roof....or at least until she was out of high school. I don't have a thing against tattoos but I'm part of the "got one on the spur of the moment in my 20's and now regret it" club. I don't have a thousand bucks to have it lasered off so now I"m stuck with it. I don't really regret the tattoo..i just regret I did not get something more attractive and put it in a spot I could hide it if needed (work or school related functions).

My friend got a ladybug on her big toe but it actually looks like a squished tick - it's flat and it's legs are all splayed out.

 

[Mermaid02]

So at 13 years old this kid made a decision that she has to live with FOREVER! That's one awesome mother there! That was TOTALLY sarcastic btw.

I agree with you- when they are old enough to sign their own consent form and not a minute before.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I'm seeing more and more kids in middle schools with tattoos and the latest one I saw just appalled me -- I admit it, I'm judging. One of my daughter's 13 year old friends got this really big tattoo on her leg... a 7-line long hand written memorial to her grandfather who died 11 years ago. (says something like RIP grandpa, his dates, I will always love and miss you, etc)

I'm a pretty flexible mom. I *considered* allowing my daughter to get a small purple rose tattoo a few months back for a charity thing (for a girl undergoing multiple transplants). I ultimately decided no, but I think I was being open minded about it.

I finally decided she can get a tattoo when she's old enough to drive herself there, pay for it with her own money and sign her own release form.

What's your limit?

25!! Haha. I have a few myself, and the ones I did when I was 18... yeah, I could do without them. The ones I had done in my 20s I'm happy with.

Piercings, sure, pierce what you want. I'd sign for that at probably 15 years old, depending on the maturity/responsibility of the child. That, and I'd rather have it done safely than illegally with god-knows-what kind of sterilization.

 

[mking624]

Regardless of what the tattoo is symbolizing, it's not something I'd give permission for. I have nothing against tattoos...but my children will need to wait until they're old enough to do it on their own if it's something that they want.

 

[krcit]

18 at least because after that I have no say. My dd is in high school and she says quite a few of the kids have tattoos There's even a girl with "thug life' tattooed on her inner lip

 

[SpecialK]

No tattoos here until you're old enough to not need permission and can pay for it yourself. Even then I won't be thrilled.

 

[PrincessDana]

My daughter can get a tattoo when she is 100% self-sufficient.

That means I no longer assist her with college expenses, cell phone, insurance, she doesn't live me at all, etc. It must be 100%.

She's only 15 and I doubt she will even want one when she is 18, but that is my rule.

In my opinion, if she has enough money for a tattoo, then that money should be going towards something else I may be paying for at the time.

And I'm not at all against tattoos. I have one on my stomach. But I was 29 (nearly 30) when I got it.

Mostly I just want her to be absolutely sure it is what she wants before she rushes out to get one.

 

[Pixiedust34]

18, when they are legal adults and can sign for themselves that they want one and can pay for it themselves, too.

 

[dawn1620]

Make sure she researches the tattoo...those chinese characters don't say something like peace or tranquility...they are something the tattoo artist got off his carry-out menu, it really just says"no MSG".

I joke, I joke.

 

[JVL1018]

I would never give permission. I don't like tattoos at all.
Nothing against the people who have them , one of my brothers has one and the other brother has about 6 or 7, and one of my sisters in law has 4 tats, many of my friends do. It's just a style thing-I'm not a fan of the way they look on 95% of the population. Some hot guy who is built-tats usually look good on a guy like that. Otherwise notsomuch for me.

So they can get them once they don't need my permission, that's about it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Middle school? Now I've heard everything.

I guess to answer your question, if I had to let them, then they'd be waiting until they were self sufficient.

 

[MushyMushy]

So at 13 years old this kid made a decision that she has to live with FOREVER! That's one awesome mother there! That was TOTALLY sarcastic btw.

Yeah, I'm putting the brakes on this friendship. My daughter walks home from school with this girl and called me yesterday and said, "Friend's mom said we can go to the VFW and hang out, is that okay?"



Sure, DD, you can go hang out at a bar with your teeny bopper friends -- no problemo. While you're at it, why don't we go grab a beer and a tattoo.

 

[VAN]

I would never let a "child" get a tattoo.

When my older teen daughter informed me that she wanted one, I told her that she could get one when she was off the family payroll. I also gave her the lecture, right or wrong, some professions frown on tattoos and so it was best to wait anyway.

As it happened after a couple of years she wasn't hanging out with the same friends, so it has become a non-issue.

I feel strongly about this and, if she wants one, she can just do it when she is totally on her own and I am not paying the bills.

But, no CHILD should ever get one.

 

[MushyMushy]

Make sure she researches the tattoo...those chinese characters don't say something like peace or tranquility...they are something the tattoo artist got off his carry-out menu, it really just says"no MSG".

I joke, I joke.

I know, right?

No, what's worse is it's handwritten in English, and not the greatest handwriting either. It's decent, but crooked and not something you'd want to pay to put on your skin permanently. At least all the words are spelled correctly.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When they are moved out and paying their own bills. I am not against tattoos but I am against the price tag that can be used for her college expenses.

 

[Arielle22]

I agree with PrincessDana. Once they are self sufficent then it is their decision. However if they need help from mom and dad for their daily needs then there is no extra money for a tatoo.

Several of my 20ish yr old nieces have tatoos. One niece is 24 and has several tatoos. She got a dove on her foot when her grandpa died and a has pink ribbon for my mom (died of breast cancer when niece was 9). I joke with my niece that by the time all her aunts and uncles die (I have 7 siblings) that she will be covered in tatoos for us.

I wouldn't even let my dds get their ears pierced until they were 6 so I can't imagine deciding a tatoo was a good thing for a middle schooler. Wasn't there a criminal case against a father had his son get a gang tattoo?