I just got some tattoos
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Anonymous
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Hi. I am a current preschool teacher and former nanny. I regularly babysit most of the kids I used to nanny for. I recently lost my grandmother and I've been pretty torn up about this. Anyone who knows me knows how close we were, including all the families I've worked for. About a month ago, I got a small tattoo of her signature. It's on my left wrist and wasn't very noticeable. On Friday, I got my grandfathers signature right under the first one. Since more of my arm is now tattooed, it is a little more noticeable.
One of the families I used to nanny for goes to my church. The youngest child is 8 years old currently and only a few months old when I started taking care of her. I am also employed by my church each Sunday. During the "boring parts" (sermon) I take the children downstairs and do crafts/play games with them. The 8 year old caught a glimpse of my tattoo last week and told her mother. Today, her mother mentioned it, and asked to see it. I showed her my arm which now has two tattoos. She made a face and informed me that she hates it. She mentioned that the next time I come over to watch her kids, she'd have me cover it up. She doesn't want her kids seen with me in public if I have tattoos. I was kind of shocked, and didn't know what to say. Are there any other nannies with tattoos out there? Do you ever get discriminated against because of them? In case you're wondering, my job at the daycare doesn't care if I have tattoos as long as they're not offensive. |
Anonymous
| Sorry OP, that's rather harsh of the mother. It frankly isn't her business. Reading from the post you're religious and I can't help but think it has something to do with that. The tattoos have a special meaning to them and its sad that she isn't accepting of the fact. There are a lot people out in public with tattoos. Does she try to shield the kids from them? |
Anonymous
| Personally, I would refuse to sit for this family again, especially if this is only on an occasional basis (not full time). I'm a nanny with two tattoos, one I got to commemorate graduating from college, and one with a symbol my grandmother always signed cards, letters, etc with. They are very important to me and if someone told me straight to my face that they hated them, it would irreparably damage our relationship. |
Anonymous
| If they ask you to sit for them again, say "no thank you". Not "I'm unavailable". If/when they ask why, then you can explain that she's being an ass (in a more tactful way). |
Anonymous
| My guess is that she is upset because having tattoos is a sin it's harming the body god gave you. Very looked down by super religious people. The body is a temple. |
Anonymous
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The mother sounds insane. You're not walking around half naked with two full sleeves, and even if you were... they're two small tattoos, as far as I understand.
I don't know how important the relationship with this family is to you, but I would refuse to babysit for them again, and explain that it is too bad they have a problem with who you are. I've got a tattoo on my lower back (though it's not a tramp stamp), and you can't see it unless I'm wearing low-rise jeans, which I don't normally to work, or a bikini, and I've had mothers express good natured interest in what it was of, or not care. My current MB is in her 50s and a bit old-fashioned and I know she doesn't like tattoos and would prefer her children didn't have any, but she never told me anything other than 'good for you, but it's not for me'. Which is fair enough and which is how life should be. |
Anonymous
| Do not sit for them again under any circumstances. The mother is an idiot. |
Anonymous
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There are a lot of judgmental people in church OP + it sounds like this mother is one of those "holier than thou" type who likes to look down on those who do not subscribe to a certain belief that she does, etc.
If she doesn't like your tattoos, then tough cookies for her. She can go find another sitter. You shouldn't have to cover-up who you are just for some snooty woman. Personally, I do not like the look of tattoos myself, however if the person watching my children had them I wouldn't have an issue if she had them or not. What would truly matter is what was beneath the skin rather than what was written on it. |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't be sitting foe the family again and if the mother asked why I'd tell her quite frankly it's because of her incredibly rude and totally unsolicited comment about your tattoo.
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Anonymous
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How completely obnoxious. I'm sorry OP. And I'm sorry about your grandmother.
I would turn down any future requests for babysitting (unless that's a financial hardship for you). "I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to cover up the tattoos I got honoring my grandparents and you made your disapproval clear. So I think you should find another babysitter." She's way out of line. - MB |
nannydebsays
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Member Offline
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This is an old nanny family, right? So if you cut ties you will lose your chance to see and spend time with the kids.
I would say something like: Old MB, I was surprised to hear your reaction to my wrist tattoos the other day. I know you are aware of how much I miss my grandma, and these 2 small tattoos are my way of keeping her memory and my grandpa's memory alive, Frankly, I was pretty hurt by your comments that I would have to cover up these small tattoos in order to come and babysit for you again. I hope you will reconsider your position, since I definitely prefer to keep in touch with you and your kids. |
Anonymous
| Tattoo is very bad,I don't like. |
Anonymous
| At least she didn't cut that tattoo off your skin, that would have hurt. |
Anonymous
Your English is worse and I don't like seeing it repeatedly on these boards. |
Anonymous
| Lesson learned, you'll have to cover them from time to time. I'm 41 and have 7 large tattoos I got in my 20's, as both a preschool teacher and nanny I usually cover them (mine can all be covered with clothing) because the questions from children and judgements from parents are tiring and old now (kinda like the tattoos). When children ask about them I explain my regret to for putting them permanently on my body. Unless you get something pretty and simple in 30 years it will look like crap. Sorry, but a signature tattoo is not pretty and people will ask you all the time "what is that?" You'd better get used to it and come up with a generic answer and not get upset when people judge it because it will be there when your old and wrinkly! |