A Perfect Shoulder Spoiled

The following text message exchange took place last night. Parentheticals added today.

Middle-Aged-Woman: Made Dad watch Dr. Horrible. He sez it has its moments. Promise tat will be small? (See where this is going? Dr. Horrible provided excuse for me to contact 18-year-old-Girl and beg, quietly, for her not to spoil her perfect skin with a tattoo)

18-year-old-Girl: Mooooom!

Middle-Aged-Woman: What?

18-year-old-Girl: Is ums a widdle nervous?

Middle-Aged-Woman: You have small shoulders.

18-year-old-Girl: How very true, my dear. (Does she sound like the daughter?)

Middle-Aged-Woman: U haven't promised yet.

18-year-old-Girl: "Promises are like pie crust--easily made, easily broken." (I was quoting Mary Poppins before you were born beeyotch)

Middle-Aged-Woman: not so easily broken, I think. (because I know my girl)

18-year-old-Girl: Mom you worry too much. (Notice how I'm keeping quiet here. Letting the guilt worm its way in, unnoticed)

18-year-old-Girl: What do you mean by small?

Middle-Aged-Woman: 2 - 3 inches across. (But you gotta be ready to strike while the iron is hot)

18-year-old-Girl: Its about 3.5 inches long. Get online Mrs. Fussy.

Middle-Aged-Woman: Sigh. (See the guilt skills I have?)

I had already seen the picture. A lotus blossom and the Sanskrit symbol for Om. And I was in bed and too lazy tired to argue any further. Plus, she's 18 and it's not up to me anymore, and she's financing it herself. She called and reminded me of all these things, which I already knew to be true. It's just a mom thing, I guess.

But just so you know what I'm talking about, here is a picture of the perfect shoulders:

Sigh.

Here is the result (forever):

Comments

[vodkamom]

I SWORE I would NEVER get a tattoo, let alone watch my children to get one. However, when my sister's son(16) was killed, the first thing she wanted to do when I reached her, was go get a tattoo. I OF COURSE agreed, because sisters do that. It's a little heart with "Cam" in the middle- on my ankle. Yeah, it hurt like hell, but I would do it again. Sassy (16) got one as well. sigh.

[Chad]

Well, at least it's not something stupid like a flaming skull, or on her neck, or like the decapitated head with maggots on the back of some guy's hand I saw yesterday that screams "I'm devoting my life to minimum wage!"

And 3.5 isn't too bad. Could be worse. Could be her entire back. That would be stup... wait, I have that. Never mind.

[Middle Aged Woman]

VM & Chad - Actually I think tattoos are pretty rad. It was just the idea of one on her I couldn't deal with. But it came out pretty cool! I'll post pix later.

[erin]

I used to think tattoos were really cool when they weren't soo... well, mainstream. But you know, she's got a gorgeous shoulder, may as well highlight it. I'm ok with it when my child turns 18. But piercing places other than ears? I don't think I will be ok with that (for my kid), ever. Other people's kids... sure.

[drwende]

The results of that specific tattoo are pretty enough...

...but a fashion trend that doesn't grow out or wash out -- and can't be sent to Goodwill when it goes sour?

Not so prudent.

Twenty years from now, all the "how to look younger" advice will include getting tattoos erased because they make it soooooo obvious that one was 20-ish in the first decade of the 2000s.

[TennLady]

It's one tattoo. Of course it starts out that way. Younger ambitious daughter has three and plans on making it four when she travels here for turkey day. Older college student has one that is pretty large and plans on that matching *sisters* tattoo around turkey day.

Saw one guy that had all his knuckles tattooed and tattoos under his eyes. Wonder where he got those?

[Middle Aged Woman]

You mean I can call those bags under my eyes tattoos? Will that make me cooler?

DrWende: I was thinking the same thing vis-a-vis "How to Make a Fortune in 25 Years: Tattoo Removal and iPod Hearing Recovery."

[Ms. Partly Cloudy]

@ Dr. Wende--In response to prudence, or changing style. I have always loved lotus blossoms, and having always been interested in spiritual philosophy, the ohm symbol is very important to me. It's not about the look, although that's always part of it. It's about what it means. And it's easily covered for many purposes by anything that resembles a t-shirt.

@ All: I'm really enjoying the new tattoo, and taking good care of it. Following tattoo care instructions is something KEY! Thanks for all your compliments as well!

[warcrygirl]

Wow, that's a nice tatt! I've always wanted one but haven't gotten one yet because I don't know what the hell I want. Right now I'm leaning towards something Scout related but I'm not ready for one just yet.

[erin]

I'm glad I checked back for the big reveal. It looks great!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

18 year old son did not go small. He did go with concealable in the event that he ever wants a job which might frown upon the artwork. It's a guitar and the music to Stairway to Heaven.

I said okay mostly because he asked and does realize that as long as we're paying for college he is not truly an adult. Plus, he's a darn good kid.

At least she went with pretty.

Came over from your comment at Trooper Thorn's--too, too funny!

[Middle Aged Woman]

Erin -Yeah, it is pretty. And it's not the rebel statement that it used to be, it's just art, so I'm getting okay with it.

Jenn -welcome, and thanks!

[StartsWithanX]

I was 19 when my shoulders became, um, imperfect. I go back and forth today between thinking the shoulder tattoo is ghetto and fabulous, which must make it ghetto fabulous.

[Middle Aged Woman]

SWAX - Alas, I never had perfect shoulders. Maybe that's what had me mourning for hers?

[yogagrrl]

Holy SMOKES, she went BIG the first time out! I can't say much having 11 (or 15, depending on if you count each little star) tats myself. In a hilarious turn of events, my mother (who referred my my first tattoo as the Mark of the Beast) now has THREE of her own- making her the second-most tattooed person in my family. ;)

[Middle Aged Woman]

Yeah, I'm not that brave. I was thinking of a little Yin/Yang symbol, but am too chicken. I may have to use that Mark of the Beast line.

[ms picket to you]

can i please please please have a daughter who talks to me like that when she (they) are 18? MAW: can you come over and parent for a little while?

by the by, if i got a tattoo -- and i always swear i will and chicken out everytime in the end -- it would be the little thing that went into a 45 rekkid, like Spin's logo.

[gathering.dust]

i love the new tattoo! it always starts with one :-)
i can't wait til i get my fourth in november...of course, it may be my fifth if i work out another design before then.

[Middle Aged Woman]

Ms. Picket - no question, I am extraordinarily lucky with both my kids when it comes to communication. I'm pretty crappy at every other form of parenting, but if you want kids who live in caves, eat nothing but cereal and skittles and talk to you freely, I'll be right over.

Gathering Dust-sounds like your creativity isn't gathering said dust, or your wallet--those babies ain't cheap!

[gathering.dust]

true, they aren't cheap! good thing my job just gave me a raise...i'm sure they'd be happy to see what it's going towards :-)

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

**le sigh**

[Rachel]

Tattoos aren't for me, but at least this one is pretty and has meaning for her. It could be much much much worse....I know several people that got the bleeding heart with a sword through it....sure, it captures your teenage angst now, but in 20 years how will you feel?

[Middle Aged Woman]

Does this mean my "I heart Leif Garrett" tattoo is no longer hip?

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

Alli - I'll send the same thoughts your way when yours are old enough for their own body art.

[Jess]

I have to say I think the tattoo looks very nice!

I have five myself, so I am biased.

My Mother had the same reaction with the perfect skin and tattooing it up and all...but I think she likes them now. :) I was 21 when I got my first tattoo.

There are more to come.

The rule for me is to always be able to hide them and to put them in places that don't stretch too much. (no stomach, boobs, thighs...)

Maybe you two can do a Mother/Daughter tattoo one day!