For some, tattoos are casual, spontaneous, and fun. Designs might have come from a Friday the 13th special, a dare, or a wild draw at the parlor. For others, tattoos are deeply personal and convey unique meaning. This is especially true for moms, who wish to permanently showcase their love for their children for all to see. In fact, between 2018 and 2020, Pinterest searches for “mom tattoo designs” went up by a whopping 6,000%! Way to go, moms.
Thankfully, the tattooed mom stigma isn’t what it used to be. While inked-up mamas of generations past might have received some looks at school drop-off, society is much more accepting of body art and tattoo clothing these days.
What. A. Relief.
Gone are the days when tattoos implied a Harley-riding, beer chugging, leather-wearing bada** (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Instead, many moms choose delicate, feminine designs to highlight the beauty of motherhood. These moms are brave, fun, patient, and they love their children fiercely (not to mention they're super cool).
Sometimes it’s good to be able to glance down at that permanent reminder when the kids are running wild and wreaking havoc or going through that rebellious phase. Whatever the reason or occasion, there are a wide variety of ways that you can commemorate your children through a tattoo.
1. Names or Initials
It’s simple and it’s to the point. You can pay tribute to your child by tattooing their first name, first and middle name, first initial, or first and middle initials. Or, if you don’t think they’ll resent you for it once they reach high school, try having that sweet little nickname tattooed.
2. Heartbeat
We’re not sure it gets any sweeter than this one. Ask your doctor for a printout of your baby’s heartbeat when you’re at the hospital. One glance at this artwork and you’ll be hearing that precious sound all over again for years to come.
3. Flowers
Birth flowers are a wildly popular trend. Here’s a list of birth flowers by month:
January: Carnation, Snowdrop
February: Primrose, Violet
March: Jonquil, Daffodil
April: Daisy, Sweetpea
May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn
June: Honeysuckle, Rose
July: Larkspur, Waterlily
August: Gladiolus, Poppy
September: Aster, Morning Glory
October: Marigold, Cosmos
November: Chrysanthemum
December: Narcissus, Holly Berry
If you aren’t crazy about your child’s birth flower, look around for flowers blooming during their birth month and choose from any of those.
Bonus: Not really into flowers? Birth month birds and dog breeds are also a thing.
4. Quotes
Quotes are another great way to commemorate something unique and personal. This could be something sweet or funny your child said, song lyrics that remind you of them or that the two of you like to sing together, or a quote from a book or the “I love you 3,000” trend that followed Marvel’s Endgame hit us right in the feels.
5. Animals
Are you one of those moms who’s given your child an animal pet name? Maybe you lovingly refer to your child as “bug,” “duck,” or “bunny.” A tattoo of their animal nickname is a great way to keep them with you. Other options for this trend include favorite animals or a mama animal and her baby (i.e., a mama bear and cub).
6. Handwriting or Artwork
Has that first stick-figure drawing of you and your child holding hands been adorning your refrigerator for months? Do you keep that sweet little “I love you” note in your bedside table drawer? Preserve it forever by bringing it in to your tattoo artist.
7. Birthdate or Time
We’ve seen this trend grow substantially in popularity since there are so many ways to execute it. Options include a roman numeral date, a minimalist time of birth, or the date of an adoption.
8. Location
Similar to birthdate tattoos, this trend highlights the location of your child’s birth. You might choose coordinates, the outline of a state or town, or something that reminds you of that location like a flower or landscape.
9. Matching or Coordinating Tattoos
If you have older children who are down for a date to the tattoo parlor, matching or coordinating tattoos are a must. For a matching tattoo, designs like hearts, butterflies, flowers, animals, quotes, or the sign for “I love you” are adorable options. For a coordinating tattoo, opt for something like a flower and a petal.
10. Family Portrait
Do you have a favorite photo of your family? Ask your tattoo artist for a simplified, artistic rendering of that picture so that it’s always there for you to enjoy.
11. Zodiac Constellation
Similar to the birth month flower, zodiac constellations are another fun way to pay tribute to your child and their unique personality.
12. Foot or Handprint
If you’re like most parents, that sweet little handprint or footprint you received at the hospital is probably sitting in a box or closed up in a memory book. Props to you if it made it into a frame. We think tattooing one of these is a touching way to remember just how little they once were, even if he passed you up in height years ago.
13. Morse Code
A unique twist on the name, birthdate, or location, this trend will have everyone who sees your ink asking to know more. Sure, we don’t need an excuse to brag about our children, but this allows you to do it in style.
14. Multiple Children Tattoos
Actress Heidi Klum has four, teeny, tiny stars tattooed on the inside of her arm, each one representing one of her children and bearing their first initial if you look closely. This concept can work for pretty much anything, including hearts, triangles, birds or butterflies.
15. Mom and Child
Nothing says a mother’s love quite like a picture of a mama holding her baby close. You can choose to replicate an existing photo or give your artist the freedom to imagine a sweet scene featuring you and your little.
With so many adorable and meaningful options, it’s no wonder “mom tatts” are more popular now than ever before. The question isn’t “will you get one?” but “which one will you choose?”
Infographic
Explore the world of maternal tattoos with diverse expressions and sentiments. In the evolving perception of tattooed moms, societal acceptance now embraces body art. This infographic guides mothers in commemorating their children through ink, offering ideas from names and birthdates to heartbeat prints and family portraits. Each suggestion encapsulates a unique story, celebrating today's culture's evolving artistry and acceptance of tattooed motherhood.
