If kids got tattoos

If your kid could tattoo himself, this is what his body would look like:

• Your baby boy would cry until he got a picture of his teddybear and a dummy on a chain sketched across his neck.

• An expressive toddler would have a love affair with his Barney, Postman Pat and Winnie the Pooh tattoos, as well as a representation of Thomas the Tank Engine snaking around his calf.

• He’d put the words NO ONIONS across his fists, and have inked Lego blocks up his back.

• With time, he’d cover himself with Transformers, Spiderman, Ben10 and other characters.

• He’d display his skills at marbles and yo-yos by depicting both on his biceps.

• Soccer/rugby and cricket team logos would snag the remaining space.

• By the time he was old enough to have a girlfriend, thank goodness he’d be too inked to fit her name in an arrow-cleft love-heart. She’d soon be followed by others, anyway, so he’d either need to pick girls with the same name, or have a scrolled roll of honour.

You see, kids aren’t all that great at making life-changing decisions. Neither are adults, but at least we temper our foolishness with an understanding that we need to exercise judgment sometimes.

Despite what your child believes, you are the best person to help guide them through the early part of their lives. Not only will you help them avoid marking their skin, but you’ll also be there to cushion the emotional challenges which come with growing up.

For now, he can have lots of fun with transfers and pen designs which will (eventually!) wash off.

Later on, as adults, they’ll get to make some of the same mistakes you did, and maybe even choose to have a real tattoo, too.

If your child could pick a tattoo, what character, object or word would he choose?