KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, HastingsPermanent Love: Mommy Tattoos

Permanent Love: Mommy Tattoos

By Annie Andrews, aandrews@nebraska.tv

It's not your normal daycare by any means: but one local tattoo shop is finding themselves surrounded by parents, some still toting their kids, wanting to get inked. 

"I always said I would never get tattoos, I'm not a tattoo person, but now to honor my children and show them I love them, [I am getting inked]," explained Amy Wilbur, a mom of two, getting her second mommy tattoo.

Amy Wilbur is the newest type of client, KOPZ-N-KONZ in Hastings is booking, first-timers wanting tattoos of their kids.

"I had a mother of five, bring in all five of her kids in and I did all their names and they stood and watched," said Raleigh Kelsey, a tattoo artist at KOPZ-N-KONZ.

Although it's not as traditional, as say, saving baby booties, it is becoming a trend. Thanks in part, say some, to celebrities like Angelina Jolie who has the coordinates of her children's birthplaces on her arm; Julia Roberts who has her kid's names on her lower back; and who can forget Victoria Beckham's Hebrew tattoo honoring her children.

"I had my first daughter in 2006 and it was such a life changing moment," said Wilbur. Wilbur's reason is a common one among the mommy tattoo circle. In pregnancy and birth, they say, women dedicate their bodies to their children. An after birth tattoo is a way to claim their body back, even if it hurts.

"It's a great conversation piece, because you get to talk about your kids," said one dad showing off his child's name on his forearm. A  topic of conversation these artists can appreciate too. "It's the most special kind of tattoo to do, especially because we're parents ourselves," said David Worrell, owner of KOPZ-N-KONZ.

A tattoo is a permanent expression of love, which both these women said they love, just hoping their kids do too.

"I think she's going to be ecstatic about it," said Wilbur.

KOPZ-N-KONZ owner Worrell said they do upwards of ten mommy tattoos a week now seeing the first surge hit a few years ago.