Thinking of a tattoo...

[Miranda]

Date: 5/30/2008 11:09:02 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Ah come on Miranda!!!!

Other than the name, what is so ''naughty'' about this spot??? It is just my lower back!!!

I know YOU wouldn''t associate it with a tramp stamp, but, others may. That would deter me. And I''m NOT into worrying about what other people think of me. Maybe it''s the kinds of women I *sometimes* see with tattoos there that leave me with a bad taste. I would not want to be lumped in the same group. It''s just has a negative connotation. That''s just my thought, though. If you like it do it. Maybe just try the henna first.

 

[somethingshiny]

TMI WARNING!!


I have tattoos and I love them. I almost got a tattoo of a symbol for my son in the same spot. I ended up getting something completely different because my husband said if he was "back there..." he really doesn''t need to be thinking of our son. I have to agree.


Also, just my .02 on all "children" tattoos. You have to make sure you''re able to do equal justice to any future children. I know a girl who got her baby''s footprints (off of his birth certificate) tattooed on her back. Then she had another, and got another set of footprints. So on and so forth. Now she really looks like a doormat.

 

[diamondfan]

SS, You are SOOO right. Nothing like inspiring romance in your man to think of your small child while being intimate.

Also, cracking up about the doormat. Those prints were made for walking! Hope she is not trying to tie Michelle what''s her name and have another baker''s dozen!!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I''ve had my tattoo for 14 years, I''m 30 now, got it at 16. I love it, but I made sure to get something very meaningful, and it is aging well b/c it is black and grey knotwork. I personally don''t have a problem with the idea of my DHs mom having his name tattood on her body, either, esp. if it was a beautiful piece that was really well done. I would think it was sweet, though since he also has two brothers she would need a lot of ink to be fair to them all

Body art is a really personal thing, and obviously most of the posters on here aren''t into it. To each their own! From my perspective, though, people have been decorating their bodies with ink, scars, beads, and piercings for 1000s of years, it is a rich tradition with a long history. We presently don''t have very many body modification practices that are common, except ear piercing, but to me its all just different expressions of the same desire to commemorate important events in our lives... or to commemorate a drunken night out with the girls

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/31/2008 12:03:28 AM
Author: somethingshiny
TMI WARNING!!


I have tattoos and I love them. I almost got a tattoo of a symbol for my son in the same spot. I ended up getting something completely different because my husband said if he was 'back there...' he really doesn't need to be thinking of our son. I have to agree.


Also, just my .02 on all 'children' tattoos. You have to make sure you're able to do equal justice to any future children. I know a girl who got her baby's footprints (off of his birth certificate) tattooed on her back. Then she had another, and got another set of footprints. So on and so forth. Now she really looks like a doormat.

I had the same thought !! LOL

Another spot I have thought is discreet was near the hip bone on the front.

 

[diamondfan]

I love the Celtic design, and think there are many beautiful examples of body art that are tasteful.

I agree that culturally many things are done to the body as a way to glorify it. Some are terribly extreme and even dangerous. Tattoos are not at that level, and I admire some of the work I have seen, but just do not love tons of them, and seeing guys completely covered all over their bodies. I have seen young men who look like they are wearing a shirt of tattoos. Literally the entire torso, arms back are covered. I know to each his own, but that seems like another form of extremism like having more and more plastic surgery.

 

[somethingshiny]

Just thought I''d link some ink....

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-ink.70064/

 

[ljmorgan]

My best friend had her son''s name tattooed on her lower back shortly after he was born. He''s now 6 years old and she''s told me that she regrets the tattoo, and feels that it looks trashy. I have obviously seen it and I think that it looks fine. I think that if you want to do it, go for it, it sounds like you''re already committed to giving it a lot of thought, which I think is the important thing. My friend sort of did it on a whim.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 5/31/2008 12:16:14 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 5/31/2008 12:03:28 AM
Author: somethingshiny
TMI WARNING!!


I have tattoos and I love them. I almost got a tattoo of a symbol for my son in the same spot. I ended up getting something completely different because my husband said if he was ''back there...'' he really doesn''t need to be thinking of our son. I have to agree.


Also, just my .02 on all ''children'' tattoos. You have to make sure you''re able to do equal justice to any future children. I know a girl who got her baby''s footprints (off of his birth certificate) tattooed on her back. Then she had another, and got another set of footprints. So on and so forth. Now she really looks like a doormat.

I had the same thought !! LOL

Another spot I have thought is discreet was near the hip bone on the front.

i don''t get it

 

[Po10472]

If its something that is really important to you, then get it. What I would say, is take the time to research and design your tattoo and be 100% committed to it. And find a really good artist who can translate your vision............oh and, place it where you want on your body.

Tattoos have been around for 1000s of years and should be a symbol of the heart and your life and the people in your life. The problem nowadays is that they''re so popular and in ''vogue'' that the meaning behind the act is often lost and its more about "how many pics can i have on my body to make me look cool" than, this represents this time in my life etc.

If you look into the history of tattooing and really understand the meaning then that should give you some insight and help you make your decision. I''ve always loved tattooing and body art, piercings etc and my DH has several tattoos and piercings, all his tats he designed himself and mean something, he has no regrets.
Me, I''ve been doing my research for years and at 36 now feel ready to really consider a tattoo. I have a couple of important milestones to reach which are very personal to me and are ''me'', so I''m going to design my tattoo with my DH over the next year or two and once I have achieved my ambition(s), the tattoo will represent my journey and achievement and will be a reminder of my success, something that is soooo important to me that I want it on me and with me forever. Once we have children, I will add to my art, as I want that on my body forever too........for me it won''t be a name, but it will be an artistic representation.

I''m thinking of something like this........on my back, between my shoulderblades, wee bitty smaller. The flowers represent growth, and beauty and life.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 5/30/2008 11:01:29 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
I was aware of the phrase ''tramp stamp'', but the term really doesn''t deter me from that location. I want it to be hidden at work, and a lot of the other places would not necessarily be.


I definately need to think on it for quite a while, but I really don''t see a lot of the negatives noted. I might incorporate his name into another image, so his name is less prominent. It won''t be something he sees (or his future wife for that matter).


He is my only ''forever'' - my DH could up and leave me, my job could end, but my son is forever.


I like the henna idea - I might live with that for a bit too.


I am hearing a lot of people who love their tattoos and some that hate them. For the lovers, how long have you had it?

How will he not see it? You''re going to go to the beach, right? It will show in a bathing suit. And if he and his future wife (and no one else) will never see it, what''s the point of getting it? You won''t be able to see it either unless you''re looking for it in a mirror. I think that the area above your a$$, as you put it, is a somewhat sexual area, and having your child''s name there seems a bit off.

And because he is your only forever, I fail to see why you *need* a tattoo to remind you of that.

 

[Po10472]

Date: 5/31/2008 9:49:34 AM
Author: thing2of2

I think that the area above your a$$, as you put it, is a somewhat sexual area, and having your child's name there seems a bit off.

And because he is your only forever, I fail to see why you *need* a tattoo to remind you of that.

I disagree with your first point, it depends on the exact position and not all areas around there are sexual, they do serve another purpose, so the small of your back is a good area for tats.

Secondly, some 'need' to honour their loved ones and wear that honour on their body, its something in their psyche, its permanent recognition of their loved ones, not everyone understands it.

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 5/31/2008 9:49:34 AM
Author: thing2of2


How will he not see it? You''re going to go to the beach, right? It will show in a bathing suit. And if he and his future wife (and no one else) will never see it, what''s the point of getting it? You won''t be able to see it either unless you''re looking for it in a mirror. I think that the area above your a$$, as you put it, is a somewhat sexual area, and having your child''s name there seems a bit off.

And because he is your only forever, I fail to see why you *need* a tattoo to remind you of that.

I completely agree.

The lower back for your son''s name is just weird. Flat out. And it''s kind of creepy, to tell the truth. I disagree that there are any "non-sexual" areas of the lower-back....and if someone feels that they *need* to honor someone by having a tattoo (as in, "need" but not "want"), well, maybe they should go talk to someone.

IMHO, of course.

 

[Sha]

Date: 5/31/2008 9:49:34 AM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 5/30/2008 11:01:29 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
I was aware of the phrase 'tramp stamp', but the term really doesn't deter me from that location. I want it to be hidden at work, and a lot of the other places would not necessarily be.


I definately need to think on it for quite a while, but I really don't see a lot of the negatives noted. I might incorporate his name into another image, so his name is less prominent. It won't be something he sees (or his future wife for that matter).


He is my only 'forever' - my DH could up and leave me, my job could end, but my son is forever.


I like the henna idea - I might live with that for a bit too.


I am hearing a lot of people who love their tattoos and some that hate them. For the lovers, how long have you had it?

How will he not see it? You're going to go to the beach, right? It will show in a bathing suit. And if he and his future wife (and no one else) will never see it, what's the point of getting it? You won't be able to see it either unless you're looking for it in a mirror. I think that the area above your a$$, as you put it, is a somewhat sexual area, and having your child's name there seems a bit off.

And because he is your only forever, I fail to see why you *need* a tattoo to remind you of that.

I agree with this and all of the other posters who feel it may be a bit inappropriate. I know that you love your son and that he's an important part of you...but there are so many other ways to honour that love, other than tattooing his name on your body.

That just seems like something a romantic couple would do...to me a tattooed name on your body IMPLIES (just my view) some kind of physical (erotic) connection between you and the other person ( think Angelina Jolie and the tattoos of her ex, is it Billy bob?). I know that other people don't necessarily view it that way, but stamping someone's name on your naked body just creates that association for me. ESPECIALLY when it's done above your bum. Whether you want to call it your 'lower back or not, it's still directly above your bum, and to me, that's considered a 'sexual' area, just like your breasts and your genital area. I don't think it's an appropriate area to stamp your son's name because it's indirectly associating your son with a 'sexual' part of you. Which makes me think of Freud's Oedipal complex, which is creepy.

I know that you don't consider it to be inappropriate, but I think you should think more of your son's perception of it when he gets older. If it's something that he would feel weird about in any way, then I don't think you should do it. There are other important ways to honour that love that don't have the risk of freaking out your son and other people close to you.

 

[ericad]

I got a tattoo 10+ years ago on my ankle (all the way around, colorful, substantial in size). I have never regretted it. For years I wanted one on my lower back too (and also wanted one on base of neck/skull), but never got around to it. Would not have regretted those either.

When I look at my tattoo, it brings me back to being 20 years old and I chuckle at the memories. I think it''s a perfectly fine (and cool and creative) way to symbolize a time in your life, important person, etc. The whole "tramp stamp" thing is ridiculous, offensive and closed minded. What do you call men with tattoos? Oh, that''s right, there''s no derogatory label for that!

That being said, I would suggest you consider something more symbolic than your child''s name. Astrological symbol, something that represents a particular fond memory, something special between you, etc. (example: DD has always had a real fondness for picking dandelions, so a dandelion flower or "wisher" might be a nice symbol to represent her and her childhood). And leave room for expansion if you think there will be future kiddos

As to the location of the tattoo, that''s completely up to you. Bony places are good because they will not change as much over time.

 

[merlinthecat]

Date: 5/30/2008 5:27:15 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Okay, I agree I will think about this for a while. But what are the pros and cons you can think of? What should I be thinking about?


Pro - beautiful and forever image and tribute to my son.


Con - forever.


Pro - but my back won't turn flabby.


Con - but what will my son's future wife think of her MIL having his name tattooed on her back.

A bit odd I guess! But hey.....David Beckham ain't worried about it!

Why not go for something really small and delicate, like a flower or something.

Merl

 

[TravelingGal]

OK, well say she still wants the tattoo but will put it in a place that is less "trampy". Where could she put it that isn''t sexual, and still would not be seen? Seems to me that lots of posters here have ruled out the entire back. OK, then what? Pelvis? Breasts? Not sure where she could get away putting this tattoo...

 

[diamondfan]

I think therein is the crux of things. Most places that need to be covered up for work and not seen are likely to be the more "private" or erotic or sensual areas. You would NEVER show the small of your back/top of your bum or your pelvic bone or your chest area at work unless you are in a certain field. Those areas are always covered in a conservative and even not so conservative place. And you would consider wearing a top that shows some chest, you are not going to want a tattoo showing there. If you want to be able to wear short sleeves or shorts or tanks (ankles, wrists, shoulders) are going to be the more exposed, and you will end up having your tattoo on display as you can not totally obscure those places all of the time. If you wear capris, a tank and a three quarter lengthed sleeve on a jacket, all those places could show.

 

[VRBeauty]

To me the lower back, just about the a$$ tattoos are "teasers." Most people don't get to see them, they might get at most a tantalizing hint that there's something more down there... but the only people who get to see what's really down there are the ones who share your locker room or (

) your bed. So to me, having your son's name down there does seem a little... ah... incongruent.

Blame it on a dirty mind, I guess.

 

[laine]

Date: 5/31/2008 1:07:24 PM
Author: TravelingGal
OK, well say she still wants the tattoo but will put it in a place that is less ''trampy''. Where could she put it that isn''t sexual, and still would not be seen? Seems to me that lots of posters here have ruled out the entire back. OK, then what? Pelvis? Breasts? Not sure where she could get away putting this tattoo...

TGal, I''ve thought about this before, and you''re right, there aren''t many good options. I think if it were some sort of image rather than the name it wouldn''t be quite as bad in any of the "naughty" spots, but I still wouldn''t do it.

I personally wouldn''t rule out the whole back; between the shoulder blades might work--it wouldn''t show at work, but might show in a cocktail dress. If you don''t wear sleeveless things at work, upper arms or back of shoulders would work, but again you get the dress thing.

Sides of the torso could work--probably only show in a bathing suit, but this can kinda get into the pelvis area or breast region which is probably not where you want to go with this. Upper chest pieces can be non-trashy, but probably not right for this and would likely show often.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I have a small tattoo in the middle of my upper/mid back. Fairly easy to cover. Easy to show off if I want.

 

[asscherisme]

Nooooo, don''t do it! I agree with every one of the cons I have read. Why do you need a memory of him on your body? You have HIM! Take the money and get a really great photographer to take some photos and put them up on your wall. And one in your wallet. That way you can carry him around with you Or buy a mothers ring and you can engrave his name into it. His birthstone? An eternity band for your right hand alternating yours and his birthstone? Lots of jewlery ideas, without altering your body. If you change your mind, you can remove the ring from your finger a lot easier than his name from your body.

I have to admit though, my religous backround forbids tatoos and I''m more into the cons. I don''t judge people who make the choice, thats their personal opinios. But you ARE asking opinions, and I think that its just a really bad idea.

I know my 11 year old son would be MORTIFIED if I had his name on my body. Especially in such a spot! However, he could care less or might even think its kinda sweet if I wore a ring or pendant with his birthstone in it. You need to think of how your son will react to it. And I also agree that your future daughter in law may find it weird and creepy as well.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 5/30/2008 5:18:07 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I''d wait a week or two and see how you feel then....

I''d wait a year, and see how you feel. Seriously, I have three tats and I waited a year after I got the idea before getting it to ensure I really wanted it. It has now been 8 years since my last tattoo and I have no regrets.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 5/30/2008 5:27:15 PM
Author: LitigatorChick

Con - but what will my son''s future wife think of her MIL having his name tattooed on her back.

Haha, didn''t consider this and would definitely be very weird if I was your FDIL. Good that you though of it. Personally, I wouldn''t do it. I think being the mother of my children and taking care of them would be enough of a tribute to them. I wouldn''t want their name permanently placed into my skin. Although, when a child dies, I can understand when parents do that.

 

[Skippy123]

I would get bling w/my childs name. hehee

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 5/31/2008 4:47:13 PM
Author: Skippy123
I would get bling w/my childs name. hehee

Now we''re talking, all for that!!!!

 

[iluvcarats]

You could always get a diamond necklace with his name

Sorry to jack the thread, but I''m always thinking diamonds.....

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/31/2008 4:48:50 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 5/31/2008 4:47:13 PM
Author: Skippy123
I would get bling w/my childs name. hehee

Now we''re talking, all for that!!!!

 

[goldfish]

I''ve really been wanting a white hamsa outlined on the back of my neck. But I''m afraid I''ll regret it, and white will be so hard to remove! But I LOVE the way white looks.

 

[Haven]

I drew my first tattoo idea on my foot repeatedly for what felt like ages (I think it was just closer to several months, I honestly don''t remember) before I actually got the real tattoo. Then I stopped drawing it on my foot an missed it. So I knew I wanted the tattoo.

For me, they''re really not a big deal in terms of this worry of regretting them later in life. They''re just there, on my foot, minding their own business. Most of the time I forget I even have tattoos, especially when I''m wincing at someone else''s, because for some reason I just find them so distasteful when I see them on other people, but I adore my own!

Just think about it for a while, and if you still want it after some time has passed and you have a very clear idea of what you want, go for it.

I still have nightmares that the tattoo artist messed up my first tattoo and tattooed my foot in all black. Thank goodness they''re just nightmares.