Welcome back to another installment in our new series – I’m A Mom With Tattoos. In case you have missed the last couple, don’t forget to check them out here.
It seems as though the Moms with tattoos have come out from hiding or I’ve just looked under a different rock – either way I have a few new faces and skins covered with ink to share with you over the next two weeks.
After harassing the Mamahood group Stella got in touch almost immediately and I was so chuffed to get to know her. I’m sure you will be too!
Your age and occupation: I’m 34 and have been a remedial teacher for 12 years but this year have decided to embark on a different journey, as my dad is retiring – so I’m taking over his business, which is an investment brokerage with a large portfolio of clients that he has built up over more than 30 years in the finance world.
Tell us a bit more about yourself, what do you enjoy doing? My favourite things to do include reading, being with my family, live music shows and napping. I can’t stand grocery shopping or superficial conversation. I would rather be poked in the eye with hot coals than engage in two faced, meaningless conversation. My time is spent with the people I love, I don’t waste time doing things I’m not interested in. So if I am with you, know that it’s because I actively want to be. I used to be a people pleaser and have learned that this serves me in no way, and it’s better to be honest and real, even if you lose some “friends” along the way. It’s better to be real with a few people who you resonate with than surrounded by 200 people who don’t get you and don’t want to.
A Mom’s favourite thing to do is talk about their children – tell us about your family: I have a gorgeous three and a half year old son and can’t have any more children. My husband and I absolutely adore him, as do his grandparents and just about everyone who meets him. He’s really cool.
If you work, tell us a bit more about your working environment – are you regularly in contact with new “clients/public”. I am now often in contact with clients, new and old (to my dad) and also often attend conferences related to my industry. I usually cover my tattoos for important meetings and when I’m not sure how I will be received – but as far as my everyday goes I wear whatever I want to, whether they’re covered or not. I never specifically dress to show them off, only sometimes to cover them which just means wearing sleeves.
Tell us a bit about your tattoos, what they are, why you have them, where they are located: I have seven tattoos…
1) The Japanese sign for women on my right shoulder (first tattoo, day I turned 18)
2) Pink and blue stars on left hip (I love stars – my name means star so it’s really not a fashionable thing for me!)
3) My name in Hebrew writing on my right ankle
4) the words “choisir la’amour” (choose love in french) on my right foot
5) the Sanskrit sign for karma on the back of my left arm
6) my sons name and stars on my right forearm
7) my most recent and favourite, a birdcage with birds flying free on my left forearm.
Do you plan on getting more? I definitely want one more at least, I already know what it is but I’m just waiting for my tattoo guy to find a space in his schedule.
How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Most of my family are quite conservative so don’t really love my tattoos, I am the only person in my family with tattoos. Loads of my friends have some ink and they are pretty much all open minded about tattoos even if they don’t have any. When I met my husband he had no ink, and now he has loads. I’ve turned him into an ink lover! (I’m pretty sure my mom in law isn’t happy about this!!! 😉 )
What is the general reaction that “the Public” have towards your tattoos? Have you run into any negativity or adversity because of them? I’ve only ever had people say “but what about when you get old!?” but mostly people compliment my tats if they can see them. As I said, they’re not always visible depending on what I’m wearing. I have them for myself, not to show them off.
Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed? My only advice would be: get something that has meaning and you’ll always love it. Don’t ever rush into a decision, it’s more of a commitment than marriage! Don’t get one because you feel you should or other people have them. It’s not a fashion thing, it’s much more personal than that and much more lasting. Get one because you absolutely feel you cannot live without it. Don’t commit to one unless it’s an idea that’s stayed with you and not left, almost nagged at you, for at least 6 months. (Well, that’s what I do) and look after your new tattoos. If they heal well, they last well. Lastly, don’t go to just any tattoo guy/girl. Make sure your energies resonate. Look at their previous work. Get a recommendation from someone you trust. And if it’s cheap, it’s probably crap. If your guy is booked for ages, that’s a good sign.
