What'll I Tell My Son About Tattoos?

I've lost count of how many times people, upon learning that I am a single mother, have asked me "how on earth" I'm going to explain tattoos to my son.  Frankly, I don't see what the big deal is.  Granted, I'm usually asked this by someone who remembers the way-back-whens when tattoos were only something worn by sailors and hookers (or, more recently, by bikers and hippies), but seriously....it's 2012, people!

I realize that single moms are far more common these days than they were just a couple of generations ago.  Divorce rates have grown exponentially and the rate of children born to unwed mothers—like myself—has risen as well.  But let's face it: even back in the "good old days," parenting has never been an easy undertaking.  Throughout history, parents have always been faced with the decision of how to raise their children, what lessons to teach, and what morals to instill into their offspring.  My case is no different.

Yes, I have tattoos.  They are visible.  And Kaleb knows that I have them.  However, until very recently, I only had tattoos that had been on my body longer than I had been a mother.  Now, however, I have fresh ink at a time when Kaleb is old enough to be aware of it and curious about them.  The one on my forearm, especially, has gotten a lot of attention.

Today, Kaleb asked me if he could have a tattoo, too, "like Mommy's tattoo."  We had a talk about tattoos—yes, my 3-year-old and I—and how they become a part of you forever.  I explained to him that real tattoos are something only for grown-ups, because they are an important decision and because you have to be old enough to take good care of them.  [For the record, I have this exact same opinion on piercings.]

Kaleb then pointed to the remnants of the rubber stamped bumblebee he got on his arm while on TumbleBus this past Friday at daycare.  He said, "This my tattoo?"  I told him that it was similar to a tattoo, and then I had an idea.  I went and dug out a package of temporary tattoos I've had around for a while and let Kaleb pick out which one he wanted.  A little bit of water and a minute later, Kaleb was the proud wearer of his very own dragon tattoo.

So, now I don't have to worry about how I'll "explain" tattoos to Kaleb.  He's only 3, and I have already explained them to him.  Tattoos are for grown-ups, and kids can only have the kind that wash off after a few baths.  When he's an adult himself, it is my hope that, by then, I will have raised him to be able to make informed and well-thought-out decisions for himself.