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Imma tell y’all a story about parenting.
The Boy, 1st born, asked often if he could get a tattoo. I had 2 when he asked. His Dad has none. We said he had to wait until he was 18. So he did. Researched, chose a smart placement, got it done when he was 19. I’m very happy with it.
The Boy, 1st born, asked often if he could get a tattoo. I had 2 when he asked. His Dad has none. We said he had to wait until he was 18. So he did. Researched, chose a smart placement, got it done when he was 19. I’m very happy with it.
We took the kids to Japan last year for about a week. They seemed to like it but they’re teenagers so how do you really know?
Mini Me said several months ago that all she wanted for her 16th birthday was a tattoo... inspired by our trip to Japan. Now... hol’ up.
Mini Me said several months ago that all she wanted for her 16th birthday was a tattoo... inspired by our trip to Japan. Now... hol’ up.
Initially we told her like we told her big brother: wait until you’re 18.
But... she’s good. VERY good. And we started having conversations about how 18 was arbitrary. And body autonomy. And how she had a specific image in mind that meant something, not flash off the wall.
But... she’s good. VERY good. And we started having conversations about how 18 was arbitrary. And body autonomy. And how she had a specific image in mind that meant something, not flash off the wall.
I called her brother (now in college) & asked how he felt about her getting something before he was able to. Their Dad and I are both first borns. We’re very familiar with Parent Fatigue that leads to different results.
Same thing happened when she wanted a cell phone “early.”
Same thing happened when she wanted a cell phone “early.”
The Boy said he didn’t care. I explored that to see if that’s what he REALLY meant, and he did. Even told her which tattoo shop he used.
Mini Me & I continued convos about placement, ensuring her piece wasn’t appropriative of Japanese culture, etc. She turned 16 on Thursday.
Mini Me & I continued convos about placement, ensuring her piece wasn’t appropriative of Japanese culture, etc. She turned 16 on Thursday.
Today I’m taking Mini Me to get her first tattoo. We’re still working through design, but I’m happy with the plans overall.
Not sure why I shared all this. Parenting is hard AF. I fully recognize the inconsistency of letting her get her tattoo now. I think the lesson is: Grace.
Not sure why I shared all this. Parenting is hard AF. I fully recognize the inconsistency of letting her get her tattoo now. I think the lesson is: Grace.
Grace for The Boy in acknowledging the inconsistency and letting him weigh in.
Grace for Mini Me in acknowledging that she’s not her brother, and that her intentionality matters.
Grace for myself in parenting differently through the years.
Give yourself some grace.
Grace for Mini Me in acknowledging that she’s not her brother, and that her intentionality matters.
Grace for myself in parenting differently through the years.
Give yourself some grace.
I mentioned Mini Me’s cell phone saga. If you want a story from a couple of years ago that may have you actually laughing out loud, here’s the thread. She was 13 at the time.
https://twitter.com/reignofapril/status/879705949795233795?s=21 https://twitter.com/ReignOfApril/status/879705949795233795
https://twitter.com/reignofapril/status/879705949795233795?s=21 https://twitter.com/ReignOfApril/status/879705949795233795
UPDATE: Mini Me is in the tattoo artist’s chair, same artist The Boy used. She’s watching The Sound of Music on her phone. She’s a G; she hasn’t even winced once. But that’s to be expected. Even as a baby, this was her face getting her shots at the pediatrician.
