Tattooed Mommas

I am covered in tattoos (heavily tattooed, not just a couple here and there), and I loooove breaking the sterotype. Not just about eating healthy and raising healthy, smart children, but I'm also room mom for both my girls classes, on the PTA, volunteer assistant soccer coach, etc. I am always helping older people get their groceries to the car, or holding doors open for people. My kids are SO polite, it really makes people second guess the ink when they know damn well my kids are more well behaved than theirs ;) LOVE this question, I had asked something similar a while back... The way I see it, if you don't like tattoos (like my MOTHER), at least see past them to the person who's wearing them... we're not all bad or scary, we're just a bit more colorful :)

In Portland, there are lots of tattooed mamas that eat organic and are active parents here:) It seems to be the mecca for for alternative ladies who are settling into parenthood. (myself included, I have many tattoos and ear plugs:) It is almost the norm here, so I have tremendous respect for mamas in more conservative parts of the country that have to tough out that kind of discrimination every day.

Just because you have a tat or few does not make you trailor trash! Some of the prettiest women & most loving moms I've seen are covered in them! (This coming from a NON tatted mom LOL)

I like fast food, i drink, smoke(cigs only), cuss, and have two tattoos! but i spend all my time with my son, volunteer at least 2 days a week at his school, make sure he eats right, teach him right from wrong, take him to every muesum and exhibit i can find, teach him no color is better then the other, and every other thing i can think of. i know i'm a good parent and i don't hav to buy organic(the standards that make some foods"organic" are so lax is sad) only parenting book i have ever picked up is "what to expect when expecting", and basically i do what works best for me! tattoos don't make you a bad person at all. how many mother do we all know that don't have a tattoo but should have been prescreened before pregnancy? lol

You can be a good mom no matter what your skin color... white, brown, black, or rainbow. :P

I have no tattoos and reeeeeaally could improve my diet, but no way would I ever judge. Good parents are easy to spot, with or without tattoos. They are loving, thoughtful and kind to their children.

I'm sorry you feel that people are judging you... just keep being who you are, and ignore the idiots around you!

I have tattoos. I don't think that having tattoos has anything to do with what kind of parent you are. Love your kids and love your body. Don't worry what other people think. It's a personal choice.

I do eat healthy but we don't always buy organic. I do volunteer at my kids' schools. I have bright pink hair,14 tattoos and various piercings. I have been called the Pink haired betty crocker by some of the teachers at my kids' schools. There are some other moms who avoid me which is fine by me.
I have yet to have anyone tell me to my face that my choices make me a bad mom. Though I have heard gossip that some mom think I'm not appropriate but those that have told me this gossip correct those moms. I laugh about it cause I really could careless.

Funny, I'm usually drawn to those mamas: ) I'm tattoo-less, but like someone else stated, I have commitment issues. Everything else, that's me.

I just had this discussion with someone about how the judgment never ends. You're too hip, to conservative, too rich, too poor. Really interesting process to just be our own authentic selves and walk our walk.

I have a few tattoos and they are usually visible when I'm clothed.

I've read many parenting books and I put time and energy into preparing my healthy meals for my children. (((laughing))) But! Of all the things that make me a good mother, I don't think reading books or buying organic are among them!

ETA: I live in a liberal college town. There are many formally educated, thirty-something, tattooed, organic-cotton-cargo-pants/fair trade shirt wearing, mamas who love attachment parenting.

Honestly, I have received judgments from folks who fit into that stereotype as often as I have from others.

Oh well. I can shrug it off. I think being a "good" parent has more to do with how present, loving, flexible/consistent, and dedicated we are than where we shop, how much money we make, what degree we have, how we look, how we dress, or how old we are. And, regardless of how many tattoos we do or don't have, we can choose to be kind to one another and learn from each other's wisdom and lessons.

(I have many more positive experiences than negative experiences with MOST people - regardless of what they believe in or look like.)

I don't have tattoos but my 22-year-old has quite a few and she is a great daughter and a kind person. And it makes me sad that her grandma hates her tattoos and even though we don't see her that often, makes hateful comments about them in her presence and to others in the family. What is wrong with people? Some of the nicest people I meet have the coolest tattoos.....

I am one! I have tattoos, and I eat very healthy. We are not totally organic, but I buy very healthy foods and we live a very healthy lifestyle. We made a big change last year to be much healthier. We completely quit drinking, quit smoking and added diet and exercise. Both me and my husband have lost a considerable amount of weight. We now live as healthy as possible.

I also read a lot of parenting books, and I have a very well behaved and polite toddler. She doesn't throw fits, have tantrums or act out. We devote all our non-working time to our child and our family. So yes, I have 3 tats and my husband has 12. And yet we live a very healthy lifestyle and we are damn good parents. I didn't even realize there was a stereotype, because I don't judge people based on their appearance. Shame on anyone who does.

I have a tattoo- and I think I am a great mom! LOL- I just can't bring myself to write a list of what makes me such an awesome mom (i'll sound like I am bragging...hehehe) but lets just say that my children come before all else and I try to do what is best for my daughter in everything I do!

LOL- by the way, my tattoo is of my daughter's initials and is on my left shoulder... my second baby's initials will be on my right... eventually- (still pregnant).

Hehehe- good parenting comes from the inside!

-M.

Yeah -if you saw me or most of my tattooed friends, you would probably not think we had tattoos unless we were wearing something where you could see them! I got my first two eons ago before everyone had them, but honestly, so many people have them now -from sorority sisters to biker chicks that anyone with a hangup about them really needs to get our from under their rock a little more. I would say that a good 70% of the women I know (including myself) are pretty healthy eaters, into organics and the latest in parenting and finding out what is best for our children -and that's those of us with tattoos! We all also have college (and many graduate) degrees and successful careers. Those who are SAHMs are doing so strictly by choice but had careers (and tattoos) before children. We range from college professors to attorneys to doctors to all types of business women. Some of us have one ankle tattoo, and others have sleeves or tatoos on multiple legs, arms and assorted other places.

Well..
I'm tattooed, I try to eat healthy, but haven't always, I buy organic but I buy processed, I don't necessarily read parenting books, but I am open to anyone's advice, experience, and way of life. I pick what I can use, accept people for the way they are and live my life.
I get stereotyped all the time...I have 10+ large tattoo's and will eventually have a partial sleeve and probably a full leg done. I think when people actually talk to me, they realize what I am about, and the type of person I am. It's the people that give me dirty looks I just play into their fears or judgements of me to mess with them (hey it entertains me, lol). =)

Although I usually wear my nun's habit when I am out in public, you can sometimes see the rainbow-colored interconnected lizards sleeve on my right arm. People judge me enough because I am a mom and a nun, so it's hard when they give me dirty looks because of my tat as well.

How sad that tattoo's are still used to sterotype sometimes. Didn't that end with 'The Fonze' ;-) on Happy Day's 40+yrs ago ??
Maybe your tattoo's serve you well by alerting you to people who are closed minded and judgemental and not worth your time. I should get one !! and I just might. One of the things I loved the most about becoming a mom was discovering empathy and support from other women. It seems often that is reservered for new mom's. I love the book 'Every thing I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten' like never judge a book by it's cover. Good luck to you and your choice to be true to yourself and also be a great parent

I have 3 large tattoos. I am a great mom, teacher, friend, sister, daughter, co-worker, etc!! It doesn't matter if you have tattoos or not, all that matters is what is on your inside.

That being said, I understand where you are coming from... getting "the look", "the frown", "the sigh".... just grin as wide as you can & keep walking.

I have tattoos and also a great Mama!! so I break the stereotype lol

B. k

Yes, and I also break the norm being in my early 50s, a teacher, etc. etc. Each one has a special meaning and, if asked, I'll gladly tell all about them! (o:

I'm not tattooed (it takes me 6 mos to pick out hand towels so I can't take the "permanence" aspect! LOL), but I don't think that automatically when I see a mom with a tattoo....Lord knows the world doesn't need another stereotype!

Hey Girl!! Since I personally know you, I already know you and the hubs are the best parents in the world!!! My God, just point out the jerks who judge you and I'll kick their butts myself!! LOVE YOU!!

LOL I love this question... I am 29 and never been tattooed and want to get a huge piece done on myself. I was and am a young mother and I beat all the odds I graduated high school and went to some college (I am going back next fall when all the kids are in school) I am living pretty well considering I am young mother. My kids get good grades and I look for parenting books and keep myself very involved in my childrens lives. I think the defintion of a good mom isnt how you look but its how you raise your children. I know this couple who are pierced tattooed and listen to heavy metal and they are very involved in their daughters education. I think either you have it or you dont no matter what age, race, social class, or ethnic background, even you sexual prefrence. My mom was 50 when she got her tattoo and its of my late brothers face and she was a good mother to us (a little harsh) but she is the only mother that was their for me.. So all you tattooed mamas its just art on your body... I think they are beautiful

Hi there!
First of all I didn't know there was any such stereotype, ha! But I have one tattoo and going for a much bigger back piece once I turn 40 as a gift to myself. I eat well, stay fit, organic eggs with spinach every morning right after my yoga routine. So to answer your question... sure! I bet there is a bunch of us :)
Cheers!
M.

I don't have any tattoos nor will I ever. Just my personal preference. But there is no way I would think someone is not a good mom by that. Just keep being the best mom you can be and ignore any looks or feelings projected on you by others.

I have 5 tattoos, eat (fairly) healy, work out regularly, am a fantastic mother...and the kicker...I'm a Christian :D I chose to get my tattoos in discreet places, but that's because I was worried about them keeping me from getting a job at some point in the future. I have at least 2 more tattoos planned and I have a few tattoos that I would like to add on to. I think a well done tattoo is a beautiful piece of art. I find myself staring at people that have visible tattoos, but that's only because I want to see their artwork :) I've been known to approach people and ask if I could have a closer look at their tattoo. I think they're a gorgeous piece of self expression.

I didn't know there was a stereotype that said since I have tattoos I'm a bad mom (just kidding!!). I don't care what anyone else thinks because I'm a rockin mom! I have the best relationship with my 2 year old, she's well behaved, cultured, and super smart and healthy. My hubby is an artist and we both have tattoos, I think that there's a difference in tattoos, they are not all created equally.. all of our have meaning and they aren't things that were picked off of a wall. I think with the baby boomers retiring attitudes about piercings and tattoos is changing (even in the workplace). I don't get why someone would even think to classify someone based on looks. You don't see a fat person and say "man, she must be a bad mom" when if you think about it the odds of her teaching her kids bad habits are far greater than a mom with body art. Not trying to offend anyone just making a point.

I have 3 tattoo's and 2 in the works. My tattoo's are not visible unless I choose them to be (ankle, shoulder and the middle of my back). I got the first one 16 or 17 years ago and I love it. I don't care about the look. I work in a professional environment, eat some organic, eat mostly vegetarian and I don't read a lot of parenting books, because I have you guys that read them for me : )

Now my husband has a partial sleeve (down to his elbow), his chest is covered and most of his other arm. He looks "normal" at work and when he leaves the law office for an after work run some of his co-workers do not recognize him when he takes the suit off. Sometimes he finds it funny and sometimes it is annoying, but he is now known as the "tattooed" attorney and some people ask for him specifically because they feel he can "relate" to them better. I don't know, maybe he can maybe he can't, but it keeps him busy.

My favorite is when his secretary asked him "Why would you do that?" and his response was "Why wouldn't I?" She had no answer and she dotes on him still.

One of my really good friends has quiet a few works of art, and she is an amazing mother :) We do pick on her because she got the mobil horse without realizing it lol! Just because you have art does not mean you are not a good mom! I actually plan to get a couple as soon as I am able too :)

I am tattooed and I am a good mom but I do not care if others think I am a good parent or not, I do not fit a stereotype.

tattoos are soooo "in" right now. which i think is great, don't get me wrong - i have two, and one is my son's name, which he thinks it's great to spell out the letters...lol. i think that the tattoo is seriously becoming less of a taboo. it's almost like it's expected now. there is more of a difference between people getting just a few, and having them all over though...but regardless, i think they're great, and yes, i'm a mom and pretty dang good one if i do say so myself. welcome to 2011 i guess! :)

I am 30 years old and mother of 4. I have 3 tattooes. Small med, and large lol. The big one I just had done a few weeks ago on my back, it is my hubby and kids zodiak signd. I have a rose on my sholder with my first borns name under it that I got right after she was born. The small one is just inside my bikini line. That one I got on a dare. They are in places I can cover them up or show them ( except for the small one) My diet is very healthy. We eat organic, and processed food does not enter my house! I myself don't eat much meat as I don't care for it and don't believe we were made to eat meat. And yes I read Parents magizine and have read other parenting books. I DRIVE A MINI VAN! LOL. There have been a lot of people who have given me totaly shocked looks when they found out I have tattoos. I have even had people say things like "I bet you regret that now" "and you would probably get that removed if given the chance right" Wow!

Here! My husband has a full back piece, two full leg and arm sleeves, and a chest piece. He gets more looks than I do because I do not have any on my arms and I rarely wear shorts or capris. I couldn't have asked for a better father for my kids, but you are right - the looks people give him and then to me, like why are you with him, are ridiculous and insulting.

Having tattoos DOES NOT

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Having tattoos DOES NOT make you a bad mom. It has nothing to do with being a mom. It has nothing to with what you eat or read. And everyone gets stereotyped, even the ones who do the stereotyping. People are out to hurt others and get under others skin. Don't worry about what they say. I am sure you are a great mom.

I have a tattoo. I make sure my daughter who is now 18 months knows how much she is loved, eas well. I habe always homemade her organic foods. She stays away from sugar- I breastfed until 3 days ago. we teach her sign language and Spanish. But I have never felt sterotyped I must say, (maybe because I only have 1) her dad has 1 too, the most amazing man. My daughter is growing into a confident, loving, heathy girl.

Not all tattoos are visible to the public.

I never thought of tattoos as a way to gauge whether or not you're a good parent. Do you love your kids and do waht's best for them?

But I do see a split between the organic/healthy thing and injecting dye into your body. I try to eat organic and healthy but I also color my hair to my orignal color to cover my grey - so I think the organic thing is kind of futile in my case -although I guess any attempt to limit chemicals is better than none.

I am not bothered at all by tattoos although I don't think they're particularly attractive unless as a small accent. But I'm a minimalist. To me a little of anything goes a long way. Less is more when it comes to makeup, home decor, jewlery, BBQ sauce, etc. ;o) But everybody has different tastes don't they?

I have a tattoo, my husband has 8, we are vegetarians, buy organic and i read so many parenting books i couldnt name them all. Someone has obviously prejudged you. Im sorry that happened.

I've never viewed body art as an indicator of parenting quality.

Are you talking about lots of tattoos or a couple of smaller ones? Because a lot of moms I know have a tattoo or two and they don't try to break any stereotypes, we just try to be the best moms we know how to be and if that means buying organic then we try to do that, not because are trying to break a stereotype but because we love our kids.

Me. You would love this book I just read to my boys from the library, I might even purchase it... it's so crunchy and earthy, and loving, the family is even biracial... called All The World:

http://www.amazon.com/All-World-Liz-Garton-Scanlon/dp/141...

wow, it never occurred to me that i was supposed to be a bad mom. my husband has a tattoo and he's a great parent too!

I want to get a Tattoo never find time to do it, maybe this year....????

I'm not a tattooed Mama per se (I have a tattoo dot on my hand that I got in high school ... back then we called them love dots) but you know what? I secretly wish to have a real tattoo. :) Maybe for our 20th anniversary I'll suggest it to hubby. Anyhow, just wanted to tell you to keep on keeping on and don't worry about those judgemental a-holes. Take care.

Oh lord! I have 4, 3 of which are very visible.
I've never had anyone comment to me...but that might just be my personlity. LOL!

I certainly don't look like the "sterotypical" tattoo'd mom. Most people do get a look of surprise on their face when they notice mine for the first time, but that's as far as it goes.

i just moved to orlando from a small town in NC. and boy did i get stares!! lol i actully had a town cop stop me and ask if my son was mine! he was upset and crying. i was shocked! but i feel like im a very good momma!

Well I have tattoos and I am a good mom. I don't read parenting books (I guess I just wing it...so far so good). I sometimes buy organic but prefer to grow my own food and/or purchase from local farmers markets/lockers (which may or may not be organic). We eat fairly healthy meals most of the time.

I haven't had a problem with people making a connection between my tattoos and my parenting. The people I know or with whom I have come into contact just don't care one way or the other, have enough couth to refrain from mentioning their views on tattoos, or are smart enough to realize that a tattoo doesn't make you anything but tattooed.

I personally feel that having tattoos doesn't make one a bad parent nor do I feel that buying organic, reading parenting books, and serving only healthy foods makes one a good parent. That just is not the criteria I go by when determining one's parenting status.

I totally understand.. My problem isn't the tattoos though. I am 23 and have 2 kids and I am happily married to a wonderful man. I get the look of "you are a young mom who had kids at a bad age and knows nothing" type of stereotype. LOL I just brush it off because I know what works best for me and my family. So I did things differently but I did them MY way and I LOVE it!!! I would never change a thing. (even the 3 tattoos that I have :) lol)

YES - and I breastfed and made my own babyfood!!!

I've had a tattoo around my ankle the past 10 years and would like to get more.

I try to eat as healthy as possible, buy organic sometimes, and read lots of parenting books too.

Having a tattoo does not make me less of a mom - it does not make me less of a veterinarian either.

And there is another vet where I work who is a mom of 4...and home-birthed her last 2 kids after having her twins by c-section...and she has tattoos also. Including one of her pet snake all up and around her lower left leg.

I have 2 tatoos. One you can see one you can't and I plan on getting more. I don't ear organic or healthy for that matter I also don't read parenting books but I also don't think those things make you a good mom. Never judge a book by its cover.

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I have 2 tatoos. One you can see one you can't and I plan on getting more. I don't ear organic or healthy for that matter I also don't read parenting books but I also don't think those things make you a good mom. Never judge a book by its cover.

I don't have tattoos and I don't gawk at or think poorly of others that have a few of them. Too many is just a turn off.

I had considered getting a small one myself until our heavily tattooed pool maintenance guy died from hepatitis turned liver cancer a couple of years ago, which was contracted from dirty needles at the tattoo parlour. And the artist swore his stuff was clean. He left behind a lovely wife and two kids.

In general I find people will stereotype no matter what position they are looking up or down at.

I'm a total hippie granola-gardening-green-tattooed mama! My daughter loves "the pictures" on me and my husband. :)

I try every day to remember the golden rule to never judge a book by it's cover. Tattoos are not my thing, and my first reaction is judgement (I am human), but I stop myself and find I have openned myself to some great new friends by being and open and accepting person. One of the best mom's I know does have a bunch of tatoos, lives in a trailer, and has a somewhat checkered past. She is amazing and strong and doing a great job raising her kids.

I have tattoos and visible peircings and I challange ANYONE to say that I am a bad mother to my three small kids because of it!!!!

We pay our bills, we (adults included) are respectful and considerate toward others, we play hard, keep the kids active in sports and make sure things get taken care of in the academic department. We have never neglected or abused our children and expect them to be well mannered (there's a fight for you! LOL!) and adhere to the values we believe in. My husband and I are smart, he works very hard, and we stand up for the things we believe in

I think that this makes us great people and parents and to think we couldn't be this way because of our body art just shows others's ignorance.

Yup. I've got 15 tats.

Most people that look like us, are the more responsible ones... At least from what I see on a semi-regular basis.

When I was growing up, my mom worried more about the people that DIDN'T have tats, piercings, funky hair (color/style) of my friends. And if one of those 'normal' looking people called her mam or Mrs. then I knew they were 'gone' from my friend group. LOL!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Beauty is only skin deep

Actions speak louder than words

So what does it matter what others think of you or your looks or social status, if you demonstrate on a regular basis that you are a loving, competent, responsible, and good parent?

Judge not........

Blessings...