Tattoos?

[Brooksie]

I was just wondering what every ones opinion is on visible tattoos/piercings in child care. I have a few tattoos that are concealed but I have quite a few unusual ear piercings that none of my parents seem to care about. Personally I feel like that quality of child care is more important than the appearance or personal style of the care giver. I am currently getting ready for my next sitting where I will be getting a tattoo for my daughter that will be on my inner bicep area. This is my first tattoo that will not be covered up. (Although I have one on my shoulder blade that shows in the summer). I'm certainly not having second thoughts on the location because its so important for me to be able to see it every day, but I want to know what every one else thinks of it in general. Does any one else have any tattoos? And do you think it affects the parents opinion of your business?

[SquirrellyMama]

I think it could affect how some people view your business and I think it is their right to have that opinion. I also think it is your right to have your tattoos. If it bothers someone and they don't choose you for that reason then it wouldn't have been the best fit for either party.

I'm not a huge fan of tattoos but I wouldn't base my decision on them.

ETA: Funny tattoo story. When my SIL got married one of her bridesmaids has several visible tattoos. Many were not church appropriate. They had her wrap gauze around the offensive tattoos. She ended up looking like she had been in a fight before the wedding with all the gauze and bandages They would have been better off letting the tattoos show because I think most people wouldn't have noticed or wouldn't have known what the tattoos meant.

K

[youretooloud]

I think it would be regional. Certain parts of the U.S you'd be more likely to see piercings and tattoos than others. If it was uncommon in your area, it might make a parent feel uncomfortable.

I, personally think moderation is everything. I don't like gauging ears.. I think it looks like a stupid mistake that is going to cost someone a lot of money to fix in a few years when that person realizes it looked stupid.

I also don't like some piercings. But, I don't usually notice most of them, unless it's huge. My niece has a ring in her nose that looks like horns. She can't get the job promotion she wants (working in medical sales) because she refuses to remove the horns from her nose. (same niece has thick black gargoyle wings tattooed on her back.)

Tattoos are so common, it's more unusual to see someone without tattoos.

Some parents won't get past the initial appearance to find out the quality of care. But, most tend to overlook appearance and don't mind.

[Blackcat31]

I am going to be 100% honest here with my reply but before I do, I want to say that I am also aware that times have changed and what is socially acceptable now is not always in line with what I believe.

I do NOT have any tattoos and do not plan to ever get one.

I DO think it does and can affect your business as many parents do not like tattoos or view them as appropriate.

I grew up in a time that tattoos were for "bad ass" people (LOL! ) and for people in the military.

Do I judge people for having tattoos. Yes. Sometimes I do. Obviously my judgment is NOT solely based on a tattoo and more so the overall package....kwim?

As a business owner, I would tread carefully when hiring someone with tattoos based on MY personal beliefs and my upbringing.

FWIW~ I do have several friends (both male and female) and a few family members who have tattoos and honestly, to each his own. I do make assumptions when I see a tattoo but it doesn't mean I base my relationships on whether someone does or doesn't have one.

I make judgments and assumptions on all sorts of first impressions but I am also mature enough and old enough to know to never judge a book by it's cover.

If you want one get one. If a family has an issue with it, like anything else we do in our personal lives, it really isn't their business and if it does bother them, they are free to find a tattoo-less provider.

HTH

[Evansmom]

I have a very visible and pretty large tattoo on my inner left forearm. I've never covered it for interviews, never had a problem that I know of. Tattoos are pretty common these days.

Edit to add: if someone took offense to my tattoo I wouldn't want to work with that type of person anyway. So our feelings would be mutual.

[JLH]

I have a large tribal art tattoo on my chest. It is very hard to hide but I do make an effort to cover it up with high collared shirts during tours and interviews. I've had centers that I worked at when I was younger ask me to cover it but it has never been a problem since I own my own home daycare. I'm sure I may have lost a tour or 2 because of it without knowing why, but you definitely can't please everyone out there and you will go crazy trying.

[AnneCordelia]

People will judge for tattoos and piercings. Its one reason I won't let my sons pierce their ears until adulthood....because even if it closes up the hole will still be in the ear, and in Tue white collar world that is frowned upon.

My dh is covered in tattoos. No piercings. He covers his tattoos at his white collar job for social judgment reasons.

I have tattoos on my back that are visible in the summer when I wear tank tops. My parents never know I have them until after they sign on, as I keep them covered during the interview process.

[Brooksie]

I have a very visible and pretty large tattoo on my inner left forearm. I've never covered it for interviews, never had a problem that I know of. Tattoos are pretty common these days.

Edit to add: if someone took offense to my tattoo I wouldn't want to work with that type of person anyway. So our feelings would be mutual.

My boyfriend is a very successful professional tattoo artist and I truly see myself being with this guy for the rest of my life. His arms are covered and his ears are gauged (completely acceptable for his line of work) so in the future this is going to probably be a normal thing around here. I think all my clients can tell we are a little more alternative around here but they all rave about the care and professionalism I provide and exude.

[Little Star75]

At first I wondered the same thing, I have a total of 5 tattoos and only 2 are visible I have 4 colorful stars on my hand near the thumb and one big one on the upper side of my right leg, that one is only visible during summer when I wear shorts. I also have a small piercing on my lip (stud) however when the food program lady came she told me I had to take it off if corporate ever came to visit She said it doesn't look professional as far as parents.... I don't think they care they all have tattoos everywhere

[daycarediva]

I am going to be 100% honest here with my reply but before I do, I want to say that I am also aware that times have changed and what is socially acceptable now is not always in line with what I believe.

I do NOT have any tattoos and do not plan to ever get one.

I DO think it does and can affect your business as many parents do not like tattoos or view them as appropriate.

I grew up in a time that tattoos were for "bad ass" people (LOL! ) and for people in the military.

Do I judge people for having tattoos. Yes. Sometimes I do. Obviously my judgment is NOT solely based on a tattoo and more so the overall package....kwim?

As a business owner, I would tread carefully when hiring someone with tattoos based on MY personal beliefs and my upbringing.

FWIW~ I do have several friends (both male and female) and a few family members who have tattoos and honestly, to each his own. I do make assumptions when I see a tattoo but it doesn't mean I base my relationships on whether someone does or doesn't have one.

I make judgments and assumptions on all sorts of first impressions but I am also mature enough and old enough to know to never judge a book by it's cover.

If you want one get one. If a family has an issue with it, like anything else we do in our personal lives, it really isn't their business and if it does bother them, they are free to find a tattoo-less provider.

HTH

This.

Several of my dcm's have multiple tattoos and are wonderful people/parents but it just isn't my cup of tea. I also think that MANY of them are going to be regretted later. (like my bff's ex husbands NAME tattooed on her butt!) ::

I also don't have numerous piercings (ears and belly button, which is never visible to dcp's) or do crazy things with my hair. I'm pretty plain jane.

[CedarCreek]

I have 2 that are covered and one that is on my inner wrist. No one had ever complained about it,I think it's very tasteful. I attached a pic. Like a pp said though,I wouldn't want them here if they were offended any way.

Dh is pretty heavy in the tattoos but nothing on his forearms or wrist or hands. His line of work wouldn't allow it and he prides himself on his professionalism.

[laundrymom]

I have one on my foot. It's the birth flowers of my kids. About the size of a bandaid. I love it. I don't know if it's ever
kept someone from choosing me. Personally, don't care. ;-/

[My3cents]

I am going to make a poll

[just_peachy]

I plan on getting one fairly large tattoo that will be visible in a tee shirt. Honestly, I value the meaning behind the tattoo and what it means to me far more than I value an unaccepting DCP. But I'm in a fairly liberal area and I don't think anyone would even bat an eye.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I had several piercings but took out 1 (small nose stud) because I felt that it wasn't professional. I have nothing against those that do work with them in, it was just a personal feeling. One isn't visible (so, no worries there!) and then I have my ears pierced.

My only tattoo isn't visible either. It's a mother's heart on my upper outer thigh, so no one sees it unless I'm married to them. I'm a modest dresser.

If I get another tattoo in the future, it won't be visible either. Personal preference.