I am a terrible parent
 

So I had this old, faded tattoo on my shoulder. I was fine with the tattoo, but I wanted it redone so it didn't look so blah. I wanted to add some color. Long story short, I ended up getting it redone, and a big stylized lotus put around it.

Great. Except that I failed to realize that part of the design was so close to the middle of my back, that I couldn't reach it. And its been so long since I have had work done that I failed to recall all the clean up and aftercare that needs to be done. And my wife is out of town for the next 10 days.

Sooooo....anyhoo, I've got my 7 year old daughter acting as my nurse, cleaning my tattoo and applying bandages. Great parenting.

Preface: I have young daughters too. So please take this question with that in mind. I am not trying to insult, but to learn.

How will you feel if she comes home with a tattoo? Or two, or more? Or a lower back one?

I wouldn't be too concerned, just the fact that you are spending time with your daughter and she is spending time with you is more than most parents do. I'm sure she will go up to be a fine woman. Just save up so you are ready when she asks for tuition to med school.

Did you get an Esprit or Elise?

Exige if you must know.:D

@KaptKaos, I'm fine with her getting tattoos. I'm not fine with her getting bad tattoos.

She's actually enjoying her role as care provider. She feels important being able to help out, and I have complimented her on her excellent beside manner. She's charging me a quarter for every treatment.

Very cool.

Dad's got a tatoo? BFD.

I have no tattoos. I've been looking at my dad's poorly done tats all my life. They are part of him. I don't love him less because he has ink and his tattoos have never embarrassed me.

Sweet that your daughter is taking care of her dad.

i think that is great. good experience. you need to up her wages, IMO. ;)

I think the quality time spent with your daughter is a memory she'll retain for many years, regardless of what you do together.

She will see your tat when she is older and it will bring back memories. You're doin' fine.

Moms out of town, and we have been having fun. Trips to the books store, going out to dinner, slot car racing, art time, massive pillow fights, popcorn, Mythbusters marathons......

I have a feeling I'm going to miss this when she's 13.*sniffle*

You have a tramp stamp?

rjp

My sister just turned 13 (damn I'm old). The fun is just beginning as she garners her adolescent interests. Luckily, boys (nor girls) are not one of them so she can focus on what she enjoys and none of the BS melodrama tweenagers have nowadays.

Savor these days, HardDrive. They go so, so fast.

One day you will be giving her away to some dude with more tattoos and piercings than you have...:p

Ditto. Pretty certain the ink doesnt make you a bad parent. Being a bad parent makes you a bad parent.