When women get tattoos, the last thing on their minds is how they’re going to explain them to their children. Let’s face it, our bodies are our bodies and we don’t feel the need to explain our tattoos to anyone—even our kids. But, recently, Busy Philipps—TV show host and true ’90s icon—received some rather annoying mom-shaming for a new tattoo she inked onto her body.
The tattoo in question, which Philipps posted on Instagram, showcases a girl figure skating across the words: “F*ck ‘Em”
She captioned the post:
“My favorite illustration drawn by @mcfetridge for my book #thiswillonlyhurtalittle (it’s in the A Movie Script Ending chapter). Tattooed beautifully by @dre.dayli in Dallas at @thirdeyegallery last night,” she wrote. “And weirdly true to form and as things always tend to be, it really always only hurts a little.”
Surprisingly—but not too surprisingly—people began to comment on the photo to ask Philipps how she was going to explain the new ink to her children. When you’re a celebrity with offspring, it always seems as though you are nothing without your children. No matter how successful you may be, it always comes back to: “you’re really going to do that even though you have kids?” *yawn* Boring!
Instagram user @debohya left a comment saying she “wasn’t judging” but was curious what the Freaks and Geeks star would tell her children.
In all honesty—it’s a moot point. As a parent, you don’t need to revolve your entire life around your kid. In fact, you should never have to do so at all. Philipps made a point to be very clear that she would not be taking any sh*t from mom-shamers.
Philipps responded: “I tell them that these are words to live by. Especially as a woman.
People online whole-heartedly agreed with this statement.
But, that didn’t stop another mom-shamer from jumping in and asking yet another stupid question.
Don’t worry—we have a feeling Busy can handle herself. I mean, she’s been known to totally shut down trolls in the past.
Like, this one time a guy commented on a mirror selfie after the gym complaining that her “rolls were showing,” and she replied with a pretty great burn.
But, sometimes we try to fix them and they come out awful.
Pinterest
We can try to be funny.
Pinterest
Like, really funny.
Pinterest
But, we all know that they’ve left their “mark” on us.
Pinterest
But, there is no one who has done a better “ex” coverup than this one person who turned his ex-wife into a glorious, brilliant, wonderful devil.
Not only did he go through the pain, trouble, time, and money of sitting through this ink session (that had to be a lot of shading for that color red), but, he thought about this a lot. His ex-wife must have been a hell of a woman to deserve this. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
And, while we’re on the subject of stupid people doing stupid things—like getting their lovers tattooed on their bodies—enjoy these horrible/funny/brilliant coverups.
I’ve always struggled with body image issues, as most young girls unfortunately do. Growing up, I struggled to see anything but flaws on my body. Even parts I like about myself, I would scrutinize because they still weren’t perfect. As a curvy Hispanic girl, I didn’t really see anyone who looked like me on TV. All I wanted was to be skinny like the Olsen twins, but alas, I never would be.
Sometime in my freshman year of college, after spiraling into a deep depression, I realized that I would literally never look like anyone but myself. I began a journey to loving my body for what it is and having the autonomy to change parts of myself through tattoos helped me along that journey.
1. I reclaimed my body
I got my first tattoo when I was 19 after a musical festival. I had wanted to get one before I got the idea to wander into the tattoo shop at midnight, but if I’m being honest, I did this mostly on a whim. I got the number thirteen in roman numerals on the back of my right ankle. It was 2014 and the previous year had been an especially rough one. When I first got it, I loved looking at it. I loved wearing anything that showed my ankle because I felt like I owned this tiny piece of my body. I finally got to choose something about the way that I look, which made me want more.
2. I began to love specific body parts
Tattoos allowed me to mark my skin with the things that I loved and I began to see parts of myself I disliked as in a positive light. I have a human heart on my hip that my best friend and I got as semi-matching tattoos. I used to despise my hips. They kept me from wearing so many trendy clothes when I was younger because they were too wide. I chose my hip because I wanted to like to look at my hips and to see something beautiful when I did. I now see the beauty in my hips, even if they did prevent me from participating in the jean skirt phase of 2006.
3. Tattoos remind me of positivity
I got a tattoo after I graduated college that says “it’s all happening,” which is a quote from one of my favorite movies “Almost Famous.” I used to obsess over the movie in my teen years. It’s part of what inspired me to pursue journalism. It felt fitting that I’d mark (literally) the end of my college career with something from the movie that made me want to do it in the first place. It’s a positive reminder to keep going and that everything will happen in due time. Having the positive reminder etched on my body makes me love it a little more.
4. Their meaning has evolved with me
Although I did get some tattoos in dark periods of my life and they had a specific meaning when I got them, their meanings have continued to evolve over time. This has been a great reminder of how I have changed and how far I have come. I love being able to have something permanent to remind me of this.
5. They allowed me to change parts of myself
In a world where we are given one body that we can’t choose, having autonomy to change parts of yourself that you don’t particularly love is freeing. Even though I do work on loving my body as it is, being able to mark myself with art that in places on my body that I don’t love makes me love my body that much more.
6. Tattoos have marked my life trajectory
I’ve made it a tradition to get a tattoo when I visit new places. This might eventually die out because I travel a lot, but it has allowed my body to become a map of memories. Every tattoo holds a special memory of a happy time in my life. They each tell a story about specific moments of my life and I get to wear that on myself every single day.
7. I take my body less seriously
I have a light bulb tattoo on my forearm that serves as a reminder that I am more than my body. It represents my intelligence, my ideas, and my creativity — all of the other things that I have to offer that have nothing to do with the size of my pants. I realized that my body is not all that I am and it doesn’t really matter how big or small it is. It is mine to shape, mold and mark.
8. I feel more myself
As I’ve continued to get tattoos through the years, I’ve felt more and more comfortable in my own skin. Having chosen to present myself with art that I feel represents the ~real me~, I’ve never felt more myself. The ink I have has allowed me to express myself fully.
9. My “flaws” turned into art
When I look at my body now, I still see flaws, but I don’t hate them. I don’t scrutinize myself the way that I used to. Rather than seeing stretch marks and cellulite in the mirror, I see little pieces of art. And more importantly, I see a whole person. I see the good and the bad without judging each part.
10. I’ve gotten a higher self-esteem
I can’t completely give credit to tattoos for my higher self-esteem, but I know they definitely helped. I feel hotter with my tats, honestly! Apparently, I’m not the only woman who feels this way. Women with multiple tattoos report higher self-esteem than anyone else, according to a 2015 study.
“I think women, especially, are more aware of their bodies through, among other things, fat shaming, the cosmetics and plastic surgery industry and hyper-sexualized imagery in media,” Sociologist Jerome Koch of Texas Tech University said. “What we may be seeing is women translating that awareness into empowerment.”
My tattoos are part of me and my favorite accessory. I look and feel better than ever and it’s (mostly) thanks to some tats. It’s amazing how small changes on your body and in your mind can make loving yourself a little easier.
For many who have tattoos and piercings, they know that complete strangers pass judgment without even getting to know you. For some strange reason, society had stigmas against those who decide to use their body as a canvas to create art. No matter the person, profession, or circumstance, many face discrimination. Even doctors.
30-year-old Sarah Gray from Adelaide, Australia is a doctor and surgeon trainee. But, despite her intellect and her hard work, Gray says she’s judged immensely by many.
People in businesses also sometimes discriminate against her. Although she has a blooming career and is very capable and bright, people see her ink and sometimes turn her away—like in stores and restaurants. Gray told Daily Mail Australia that she once went shopping for shoes, and like Pretty Woman, was turned down by sales associates.
They served all the other customers first and wouldn’t even make eye contact with me.
Another time, she went to a restaurant with a friend, management told her that they had a harsh policy against body art.
After being seated for lunch, management then came up to us and asked us to leave as they had a ‘no visible tattoo policy’ for diners. That was a little disappointing to say the least.
Gray has even been turned away from casinos with friends because of how much ink she has. But, she has not let anyone stop her on her journey through life.
Gray said:
Quite a few night venues seems to have this policy and although it doesn’t affect me very often as I hardly go out, it can be super frustrating when we get categorised as “bad people” or being gang affiliated due to our colourful skin.
And, Gray has friends and family who love her and appreciate her and all of her ink. Additionally, Gray says that her tattoos make her feel more confident in herself and her body.
And, despite her ink, Gray says patients and other doctors don’t treat her any differently.
Having colourful skin in no way affects your skill level and with all the anti-discrimination laws now it wouldn’t be appropriate to compartmentalise or treat me differently based on my appearance.
Everyone expresses themselves in their own way and we will always love that. Whether it’s piercings, tattoos, style everyone has their own idea of what looks good. I mean who doesn’t love a fresh tat? I love the idea of being able to turn your skin into a work of art. My skin my rules. I’m no stranger to tattoos myself I’ve got a fair amount of ink throughout my years. Some I love as much as the day I got them. Others I could do without for sure. Life changes and so do we as people.
