My son wants tattoos!

[Tattooedmummy96]

My and my husband are both heavily tattooed, I myself have almost all of my body excluding my face tattooed and my husband is not far behind me. We both have well paying professional jobs and are very well off so I am finding it hard to explain to my son why he cannot have tattoes. He bothers me day and night about it and I hate using the "because I said so" answer to this question. The answers my mum gave me such as you will regret it, you will never find a suitable partner, you will never have a good job, so and so forth just don't work anymore as they are outdated in my opinion and do not apply to my circumstance in particular. I want to be the type of mum who listens, understands and explains so I am really just at a lose for words with this one.  If anyone has absolutely any good answers for me to give him I would be over the moon!

[Curtainback]

I think the only thing in this case that you can tell him is that he can have them, but only once he is an adult. Explain to him that tattoos are grown up things and that he will have to wait until he is old enough. I would still try to be supportive, such as saying that when he's old enough if he still really wants one that you will be there with him to get it, so that hopefully he doesn't try to sneak off and get one when he's still too young. Nurture that love of tattoos, but make it clear that he is way too young for that right now.

[wayneOFgotham]

tell him when he get a job and is old enough he can get one. Really not that hard. Its his body you cant tell him not. Just say your not paying for it or signing for it so he needs to be old enough to make that choice for himself.

[cfanderson25]

You're a loss of words that your son wants a tattoo?  Really? You are tattooed, your husband is tattooed, so it's only normal that your son would want to follow in your footsteps. Clearly tattoos are a norm in your household, and not disapproved of. You really should not be shocked that he too, would some day want to have them himself! And you should not judge him for wanting to do something you, yourself have done! Now you did not mention his age. Is he 6, 10, 16?  I do not think it really matters, his age that is. Just tell him that when he turns 18, he can get his own ink. And stop acting like its a huge a deal lady, you have them too!

[Gdamnmaggie]

As a child of parents who are very against tattoos,  hell the whole extended family,  at 26 I just rounded up to lucky 10th piece.  I don't know your kid but I was and he is a kid,  and we want what we want.  You can inform him of all the risks,  about job hunting being harder (I have very visible tattoos and have never had trouble, I'm a hospice nurse, actually), or maybe having other hardships later,  but ultimately as soon as he turns 18 there's nothing you can do,  it's out of your hands.  Express your disapproval as you will,  but I hate to tell you he's most likely going to get some ink, if not now, later.  Just make him tell you what it is first.  Make sure it's not a super bad decision. Make sure he goes to a reputable shop.  It's all about harm reduction.

[TheKing_Lion15]

Tell him if he waits till he is 18 you will pay for his first tattoo as a bday present. I don't know how old your kid is but I would tell him straight up....getting a tattoo always comes with consequences. I have a few and I got my first at 17. He is a curious kid and let him be curious. I would tell my kid at 18 he could get one but I would have to approve of what it is. If you can't think of anything....I guess you will be stuck saying the same old stuff over and over.

[specialmom]

I agree.  I think that you can also tell him what you think the downside of having a tattoo might be.  Like, it kind of hurts to get.  That it is permanent and as a young person, he may not know what he wants (don't you have something that you wish you'd have not gotten?).  While tattoos are a trend for your generation, there is a good chance it won't be for his (these things can be cyclic).  

But really, the biggest thing is he is not an adult.  You'll support him once he is an adult and until then, the answer is just NO.  It's like drinking alcohol. :>)  An adult can have a drink.  Until he's of age, he can't.  Once he is of age, then it is his prerogative to make that decision.  

Think that would work?

[RockRose]

How old is your son?