Entry FeedOK. I am little conservative. I have one hole in each ear (done by my parents back before I can remember). No tattoos. No other piercing. Dyed hair consists of "natural-looking" highlights.
I almost got a tattoo in University. I had just started dating my husband, and he asked me not to. So I didn't. He later told me that he thinks they are trashing. OK then, honey. I married him, and I can tell you with 100% honesty and Husband has never had a piercing, neither of us have ever had a tattoo or tried drugs. Conservative? Maybe. I consider us fairly normal for our peer group.
I was out the other day with the kids. We saw a man, bald, piercings and tattoos riding a motorcycle. Son Two loves motorcycles. The kids never seemed to be phased, or judgmental, of radical appearances. However, about a month ago Son Two stood across the waiting room at Daughter's dance class and pointed out that a conservatively dressed Dad there had "holes in his ears." The dad couldn't believe that Son Two could see his old holes (from his wilder teen years, he explained) form across the room. I couldn't believe that he pointed them out.
Yet yesterday we see a biker, leather, ears pierced, lots of tattoos, and the kids say nothing. I tried to take it a learning opportunity.
"Guys, please promise me that you will NEVER get a tattoo."
"You mean not until we are adults, right?" Son Two... he is going to be trouble.
"No, NEVER. Even when you are adults. They may look sort of cool when you are 20, but by the time you are 40 they just look weird and silly."
"So when I am 20 I can get them, and then get rid of them when I am 40." Son Two... for sure he will be the one to come home with a tattoo.
"Honey, tattoos are permanent. They don't come off. You have them for ever and ever."
"Uncle Steve has tattoos."
"Yes, I know."
Damn those relatives with tattoos! Both Husband's sisters actually have tattoos as well, but this is not something that I am going to be telling my kids. However, given that they will see them in bathing suits this summer, they will figure it out.
"How come he can have tattoos?"
"Because I am not Uncle Steve's mother. I am your mother. Besides, Daddy really, really doesn't like tattoos." When in doubt, mention Daddy, their hero.
"I don't want a tattoo," said Daughter. Yes! One down, two to go.
I know that Son One won't get a tattoo; you can even put a band-aid on him most days without him whining and crying and trying to run away.
Son Two, on the other hand, is one tough cookie. He could handle the pain. But I guess only time will tell if he decided to go for permanent ink. Let's just hope that if he does, it is a maple leaf because he is an Olympic Athlete!