Meaningful Tattoo Ideas For Moms to Pay Homage to Their Kids

Summer’s coming and it’s time to show a little skin. This time of year I always start daydreaming about what I’d want if I ever got past my fear of needles long enough to get a tattoo.

As a mom, child-related tattoos or anything that pays homage to the kids is probably the direction I’d want to go. But the traditional ones don’t really appeal to me. Luckily, the tattoos of today are infinitely cooler and less limited than what was trendy when I was younger and first flirting with the idea.

I always promised myself that I would have to want the same thing for one straight year before committing. And while I still haven’t settled on the perfect mom tattoo (yet), these rad mamas are providing plenty of inspiration for my Dream Tattoo board on Pinterest!

More Tattoo Ideas:

13 Meaningful Tattoo Ideas to Pay Homage to Your Kids

In Illustration

A monochrome outline of mother and child to dedicate to your little one is so simple yet so perfect.

Photo: Instagram/ritualpolonco
Minimalist Names

The minimalist trend is everywhere now -- from bedrooms to wardrobes -- so why should tattoos be any exception? If you're going to ink their names, why not do it so simply and sweetly?

Photo: Instagram/kaypstevens
Baby's Footprint

Many parents frame their baby's footprint - so why not take a more permanent approach and get a tattoo of one?

Photo: Instagram/tattoos.by.sztrk
Baby's Night Sky

My husband and I had artwork created to depict the night sky as it was in the time and place where we got married... which got me thinking, how lovely would it be to get a tattoo in the same concept for the date and location of our daughters' births? This tattoo is pretty inspiration on the theme.

Photo: Instagram/NandoTattooer
Birth Flowers

I couldn't be more obsessed with this sweet homage to one mama's kiddos and husband -- she had a tiny bouquet made of their birth flowers and forever etched on her arm.

Photo: Buzzmills Blog
Mother & Baby Elephant

Elephants symbolize so many beautiful things to different cultures, including strength, power, wisdom, and luck. A mother-and-child elephant tattoo is such a sweet way to mark your journey into and throughout parenthood.

Photo: Instagram/Evaleeann
Full Circle

A "twist" on a classic parent tattoo idea: the names and birth dates of your babes in a fun swirl pattern.

Photo: Instagram/katherinearenas
Their Favorite Movie

A precious way to encapsulate their childhood and keep it with you forever... a symbol from your little one's favorite movie, book, or TV show is an adorable idea.

Photo: Instagram/heemee.tattoo
Storytelling

This mother's parenting journey is depicted in a splendid piece of art. The watercolor style rainbow represents children born after infertility struggles. Her son's name is River, and the first time she sensed she was pregnant with her daughter, she was on a trip to the mountains. So creative and gorgeous!

Photo: Instagram/river_in_my_soul
A Handwritten Message...

Incorporating your child's handwriting into a meaningful tattoo is one of the coolest trends right now. I would consider waiting a few years until my eldest can write, just to get something like this on my arm.

Photo: Instagram/errols25
...Or a Picture

A picture is worth a thousand words. This beautiful drawing was done by one mom's eldest after miscarrying her younger sibling. So much strength and healing in this lovely piece of wearable art.

Photo: Instagram/cadeejax
Zodiac Signs

This mama incorporated the star signs for herself and her two children in this creative and beautiful tattoo. The initials on either side are for the twins she carried as a surrogate for her sister. What a creative way to represent this unique and special family!

Photo: Instagram/amyl_perez
Time of Birth

An artful mama tattoo depicting a clock for each baby, with the time they were born. I've never seen anything like this, and I'm all about it!

Photo: Instagram/MadysonNycole