I’ve been a single momma for a few years now and I was thinking about getting a small tattoo of my son’s name/initial. Location wise I was thinking on my collar. I already have a few other small tattoos down my spine and on my sternum from when I was younger. Any suggestions?
There’s two ways to look at tattoos for a family member. Well, two common ones.
One is that names are a very direct reminder, and thus make it a very visceral connection.
The other is that, as art, names don’t hold up well, so something symbolic is both prettier and carry meaning beyond what a name can.
Now, I don’t personally think that tattoos need to be art. They’re a very personal thing, and just getting them for other people to see defeats part of what I love about them (despite only having ever gotten two out of my entire plan).
A person’s name in a place like you’re thinking is wonderful. Subtle, personal, close to the heart, so you can’t go wrong.
However, if you wanted something fancier, that’s not too difficult to brainstorm. I’d look at stuff that reminds you of him as the first place to think about. Like, maybe a flower that reminds you of him, or a favorite toy he had/has as a baby out toddler.
But there’s really no limit to options.
As a son, every time I come home with a new tattoo my mom asks what it means, and I say ‘that I love my momma’. A joke, but expressive of the spirit of tattoo IMO.
The tattoos I have for my kids are a daddy bird famous for raising its young, a storybook character, a favorite flower. If my kids ever ask what they mean I can say, 'that I love you.
Not knowing you, Id tell anyone with a question like this to aim for something that says 'I love you, I love us." Names are not always forever. Ideas are though
It isn’t what you were asking, but, I have my son’s footprint from his birth certificate on top of my foot.
Maybe that’ll give you some inspiration.
I have my dog’s paw print on my left leg, where she used to place her paws
It isn’t what you were asking, but, I have my son’s footprint from his birth certificate on top of my foot.
Awww! That is both epic and cute at the same time.
That’s super cute!
My only (kind of random) thought is that some kids change their names, eventually, to fully express themselves.
So I might be tempted by initials, or something more symbolic, myself.
Hard to give anonymous suggestions for something so personal and permanent. Since you already have tattoos you know how you tolerate the process. I would expect spine and collar have similar skin thickness and pain level. Only you can decide on full name vs initials. I think pain tolerance would be a big factor for that choice. Letter style? Black/Grayscale/Color? Do you need to be able to hide it under work clothes?
Probably will go with his full name since it’s pretty short. My work is pretty lax about tattoos, some of my coworkers have full sleeves. As per letter style, something like a soft cursive would be nice and I’m pretty open to any color depending on the design. I’m sorta just looking for any creative ideas for some inspiration.
Sound like you need to look at artists in your are that do lettering, then! If your son has any particular hobbies or interests, incorporating some aspects of that around the lettering could be a nice touch.
