My son is 6-years-old, but I still fold him into a cradled position in my lap so I can rock him and smother him with kisses. Me, remembering his tiny body and sweet smell when he naturally rested in my arms this way as a baby; him, giggling hysterically, insisting he’s not a baby. I try to do the same thing with my 2-year-old daughter, but she just squirms away. Her independence is still too new to give it up on anything less than her own terms.
Yes, I am that mom. That mom who will still call her kids her babies when they’re 40. That mom who will always have a little trouble accepting that they’re no longer babies. That mom who wants to hold on for as long as possible.
So, when I decided to get a tattoo last summer, there was no question that it would be something to symbolize my kids. A mom tattoo. I consulted with a tattoo artist in Brooklyn, where I live, and he designed an infinity symbol that incorporated their names (it’s included in this gallery), on my inner left wrist. I love it. It’s a conversation piece, yes; on my son’s first day of first grade, a mom stopped me to chat about my new tattoo. But it’s more than just something to talk about; it’s a symbol of the bond I have with my children.
While researching ideas for my own tattoo, I discovered so many inspiring ideas out there for mom tattoos: Footprint tattoos. Heartbeat tattoos. Baby name tattoos. So if you’re thinking about getting your kid’s name in ink, check out some of these incredibly cool ideas for inspiration.
Mom Tattoos: Super Cool Ways to Get Your Kid's Name in Ink
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Sweet Illustration
This illustration of a mother caressing her baby, with their names in script as a border, is a unique tribute to the mother-child bond. Photo: Pinterest
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Birthdates
This simple, discreet tattoo is a lovely way to honor multiple children. Photo: Pinterest
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Birthdates (Roman Numerals)
Brooklyn mom, Meirav Savyon, has her birthdate, her husband's birthdate, and her two daughters' birthdates tattooed in roman numerals. "I’m a very independent person but I'm also proud of us as a group and love that it's represented by these dates on my back," she says. Photo: Meirav Savyon
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Kid's Art
This tattoo, on the back of Brooklyn mom, Alex Richards, is based on one of her 5-year-old daughter's drawings. "When I got it, the tattoo artist said, 'I'm really starting to understand the complexity of your daughter's style!' Made a mama proud," she says. Photo: Alex Richards
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Baby Names with Infinity Circle
I love the symoblism of the infinity circle, so I chose to incorporate my children's names into it, on my inner wrist. Jon Jon, the owner of Triple Diamond Tattoo in Brooklyn, created the original design. Photo: Heather Morgan Shott
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Middle Names
Vicki Chan, also of Brooklyn, honored her daughters by having their middle names tattooed on her wrist. "I love that on the outer arm, it just looks like two thin bands, but on the inside, the names are like a little secret meant only for me," she says. Photo: Vicki Chan
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Footprints
Tiny footprints, with three children's names and birthdates, are a sweet rememberence of the baby days. Photo: Pinterest
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Heartbeat Tattoo
A popular trend, this heartbeat tattoo incorporates the word "Family." Photo: Pinterest
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Baby Names with Heart Trail
This unique tattoo, incorporating baby names and hearts, is a pretty way to honor four children or a combination of children and parents. Photo: Pinterest
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Three-Name Heart
Here, three names make up a unique inner-wrist tattoo. Photo: Pinterest
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One-Name Heart
And here's the same cool concept but with one name. Photo: Pinterest
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Thumbprint Heart
Here's a beautiful way to capture your child's (or children's) fingerprints and have them with you forever. Photo: Pinterest
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Baby Names with Arrows
How cool is this idea with arrows? Photo: Pinterest
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Baby Names in Cursive
This simple, elegant inner-arm tattoo can honor two children or a parent and child. Photo: Pinterest
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Baby Names & Birth Dates, in a Spiral
Another fresh way to incorporate children's names and birthdates--in this case, on the outer arm. Photo: Pinterest
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Baby Name on Shoulder
How pretty is this simple baby name tattoo finished off with a heart? Photo: Pinterest