Tattoos and kids...?

Question

My husband has 2 tattoos from when he was younger. He is know 34. My 2 year old Emme saw his largest tattoo (a snake on his upper arm) and freaked out. She's seen it before but she doesn't remember too well. How can I assure her that it is OK ?? She won't go near my husband now and he feels bad.

Answer 1

Just explain that daddy has art on his arm and that it's just like pictures in a book. Tell her the snake isn't real and won't hurt her. Heck, maybe she could even name it. It might make it more "friendly" if she has something to call it.

Answer 2

Aw, that's actually pretty sad! ):

I think that the best thing that you can do is explain to her that it is a sort of art that you can only get when you are much older. Let her touch it, so that she realizes that it isn't real, and it won't hurt her.

Hopefully she will think it is cool & regain her trust in your husband!

Good Luck! (:

Answer 3

My kids are absolutely fascinated with my husband's tattoo's.  They think he colored on his own skin (which is really funny to me when they try to make their own with washable crayons lol).  At first though, they were slightly mortified, as if he had some sort of "owie" and constantly wanted to put band-aids on them.  It stopped being an issue as they got used to seeing them, but to help them feel comfortable, my husband and I would touch the tattoos repeatedly in front of them and say things like "oooo look at daddy's tattoo, it's SO neat/cool etc."  Eventually they touched them and realized that daddy wasn't hurt at all.  We also found some temporary tattoos for kids, and they got a huge kick out of it.  Now everytime he takes his shirt off (which always makes ME happy lol!)  my girls get all excited and say "mommy look at daddy's tattoos!!" and proceed to check the same three tattoos out for at least 10 minutes.  I suppose the fascination will wear off eventually, but for now, it's very entertaining for all of us.  Showing her that the snake won't hurt you by touching it, or even petting it may make her feel better, but it may just take some getting used to for her.  Tell your husband to stop feeling bad, she will get used to it eventually.  Encouraging her to touch it as well may ease her fears when all she feels is daddy's skin.  You have to figure out what way is going to get through to her the best.  If all else fails, just be patient, she'll come around.  I would not suggest he hides it at all unless it puts her into hysterics repeatedly.  I hope it works out for you!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Maybe you could get some temporary tattoos from the gumball machine or the drugstore and put them on her, so she can see that it's not scary to have a picture on your arm.

Answer 5

Just tell her that how she wears fake tattoos, daddy has a real one. Tell her that it doesn't hurt him and it won't hurt her.