What to do about nephew's curiousity about tatts? Advice please?

Question

I have a few tattoos and my nephew is 14 and is really really curious about tatts. I know that is a part of being a kid, but last week he drew a whole bunch of temporary tatts on his body with a sharpie. I know there is a want to be like me element to it, but what can I do to explain to him that he needs to wait until he is 18 -wait to get something meaningful- and get it done professionally? He wants to go watch me get one next week and I was wondering should I let him? I was wondering if I acted up the pain would it discourage him or would he just go tell his friends and then think his uncle is a big softy and not have the effect I want? What do you think? He is pretty mature for a 14 yr old but I worry about him getting a homemade or something like that. I tried to explain to him to wait to 18 because at 16, when my mom was willing to sign, I was wanting something I would hate now as an adult. What should I do?

Answer 1

will his parent sign for a tatt.. if not.. then don't worry about it.. and ask his parents if you should let him see you get one.. and how you should act..maybe all the blood will be enough

Answer 2

Bring him with you.  You said he is pretty mature for his age.  Use this as an opportunity to talk about the right time to get a tattoo.  Tell him when and why you got yours.  Tell him the meaning behind each one.  Then tell him that he has to wait until he is 18 for his first, and that you hope it would have meaning behind it.

Answer 3

Well he shouldn't be able to get a tattoo without parental permission before he's 18, and if he's as smart and mature as you say, he won't frequent a seedy, back alley parlor and act on impulse.  If he wants to see you get one, I say let him.  Don't act up the pain either.  Just let him see how it is, and maybe he won't be ready for sitting in a chair for so long with all the tools they use.

Just curious, how old were you when you first became interested in tattoos?  and how old were you when you first got one?  It could be a family thing.

Answer all his questions honestly, but let him know that he has to wait to get his, that it needs to be something meaningful to him.