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Rosie to the Rescue: I’m A Mom With A Tattoo. So?!

Posted on March 12, 2013 at 5:39 pm by Rosie Pope / Rosie to the Rescue, Rosie's Reality

In case you missed it, here is a recent post from “Rosie to the Rescue”, my blog for Parents Magazine.  This was a very personal post for me, as it covers so many important parenting points.  Don’t miss the rest of the “Rosie to the Rescue” posts, available here.

I was playing with my son this morning, drawing and naming different spring flowers. We decided we’d buy some tulips after school. It was a lovely few minutes, just the two of us talking. I had just come off the red-eye from Seattle and I was so glad to have a few moments together before the hustle and bustle of the day.

We had arrived early at school and were waiting inside just outside the classroom. My son’s school is attached to a church, and a few of the church elders came by and greeted us with their warm smiling faces. Usually they fill me with such comfort as they finish nibbling their coffee and cookies and head on their way. Through their usual smiles, one suddenly looked down and noticed the tattoo on my foot. We were sitting on the floor as they had laid their coats on all the available benches, so my foot was exposed. (I make it a point not to hide my tattoo. It is not a regret of mine.) One of them asked, “What’s that pattern?” and I thought he was referring to the drawings my son and I were having so much fun doing. I started talking with pride about my son’s new interest in spring flowers and nature, when I realized he was referring to my tattoo. I simply explained it was a rose, from much younger days, and smiled. Another gentleman responded, “Oh yes, my son made a mistake like that”. To which the other chimed in: “I suppose you’ll have to do that laser thing to have it removed”. And to just go that extra bit further a third added, “Well, at least you don’t have them all up and down your arms, as bad as those basketball players.” All this was while my son watched and listened.

I can’t quite describe how hurt and angered I was at this and it didn’t even occur to them for one second how judgmental and inappropriate they were being. To my great shame, I started babbling excuses about my earlier choices in life, rather than standing my ground with pride. As they walked away, my thoughts started to clarify (isn’t that always the way?), and my blood started to boil. First, these were Christian men. Second, they decided to attack a personal choice of mine in front of my son with complete disregard for my or his feelings. And third, they decided to paint such a negative picture of me and my choices in front of the person whose opinion matters the most to me–not to mention the offensive reference to basketball stars, who of course my son looks up to.

I should have stood up for myself. It was a different time in my life and I want to teach my children to be proud of their evolution as people, and to know that even their parents have a past but it has shaped who they are, that they are proud of who they have become, and that they should love themselves. When the church elders finally left, my son said, “Good thing you have a rose on your foot mommy, so we’ll never forget how to draw one.” If only everyone could have the purity and non-judgmental honesty of a child. Just as in parenting, there is no one size fits all. We are all individuals, so let’s teach our children to embrace those differences and to stand up for themselves, to love themselves but loving ourselves, and our differences with pride.

I am so ashamed I didn’t say anything. For my kids, I will always speak up from now on–definitely one very important lesson learned by this mom. So thank goodness for my tattoo, thank goodness for my differences, and thank goodness that it is I who will teach my children how to treat others, and not the gentlemen passing us by.

Tags: lessons, parenting, tattoo

5 Comments

  1. sophiacosmas

    March 12, 2013 - 6:28 pm

    Truly and honestly, Rosie, some people are just plain revolting. Nothing you could’ve said would’ve made any difference to them and their narrowminded idiocy. The conversation you had with your dear boy later, will be what he remembers. And that’s the main thing. (And that’s my two cents worth.)

  2. KeliB

    March 12, 2013 - 7:27 pm

    Hey Rosie,
    Don’t sweat it, I too am a mom with a tattoo(s) 5 very small ones I have one on my ankle (my Korean name), one on top of my foot (om), one on each wrist (this too, shall pass), and one on my ring finger (my fathers initials). I love the story they tell from when I was 18 to when I turned 26.
    Do not be ashamed!!! Keep doing what your doing. I am such a fan!
    Keli B,
    Seattle

  3. marciaterry

    March 12, 2013 - 7:45 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story!

    I love the message you’ve shared, of sharing our evolution with our children and being honest and proud. I am one who would rather sweep the past away and I’m reminded now of the power and importance of showing our children the whole picture.

    I also take comfort in knowing that someone who is so lovely, poised and elegant can also be stumped for a moment when met with criticism and take from a beautiful lesson.

  4. jessicaspears-ashmore

    March 12, 2013 - 8:38 pm

    Absolutely, but isn’t that a lot of times, you will have a conversation with someone and you think about it later on and think of all the things you could’ve said. I myself don’t have any tattoos, however, I see them as a personal choice and I am a christian and doesn’t it say in the bible thou shall not judge. Everyone judges and some more than others, I think they should’ve been more reserved about their thoughts but it’s going to happen. I love what your son said about your tattoo, his words were not judgemental but were innocent and I love it. I agree with you Rosie, I’ve never actually thought of it that way before with children seeing we have a past and sure, we make mistakes, and yet our children still love us. You’re an inspiration Rosie don’t be too hard on yourself, shame on them for not being more reserved, especially infront of your child.

  5. wonderlandphoto

    April 7, 2013 - 8:03 pm

    I really relate to this story. I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve wondered what sort of things people will say one day when I’m carrying my kid around in my tattoo-clad arms:-) I love that your son was able to show you his unconditional love for you in that moment.

    Thanks for sharing, and acknowledging the fact that there is still a huge stigma about women (especially mothers) with visible tattoos.

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