The 8 Dramatic Stages of Telling My Latina Mom About My Tattoos

Updated on 9/10/2017 at 11:00 AM

I had been wanting a tattoo of a heart on my wrist since I was a teenager, so on Feb. 14, 2015 (I didn't realize it was Valentine's Day), while I was away in college, I decided I was going to take the plunge. It cost me $20, and five minutes later I was officially "branded," as my mom would say, for the rest of my life.

My mom didn't see my tattoo until a month later when I was home for Spring break, but when she did, she practically fainted and then went in for the kill. The Dominican slayer in her came out instantly, because she was pissed — and I mean, pissed.

Eventually, she got over it, and when she spotted my second tattoo years later (a small elephant I got on a whim while on vacation in Thailand.), it wasn't as bad. Though she did call me a heathen — I'd like to point out, both of them are smaller than the size of a quarter.

If your mom is Latinx and you love getting inked, you probably relate to my struggle. There's a reason memes and videos of Latinx telling their moms about their tattoos are popular. If that's the case, keep scrolling for eight dramatic things that happen when you tell your mom you got a tattoo.

First, You Don't Say Anything and Wait Until She Sees It For Herself

You maybe try to cover it with clothing but know she will eventually discover it so quickly give up.

Once She Notices, She Tries to Rub It Off Multiple Times, and You Explain to Her That It's Permanent

You try to look as innocent as possible while doing this.

You See Her Angry Eyes and Go Into a Speech About Being Able to Do Whatever You Want With Your Body

You are getting a little sassy and starting to worry you went too far.

Now You Know That Chancla For Getting Slick Is Probably Coming

That moment when you realized you should have just cried and begged for forgiveness.

Now It's Time to Give Her a Couple of Days to Cool Down

This is when she ignores your calls and texts.

You Finally Apologize, Even Though You Don't Mean It

"I'm sorry."

Then You Remind Her There's No Turning Back and It's Time to Accept It

You are still the same person, after all.

You Make a Mental Note Never to Mention It Again

And you might as well try to hide that tattoo again, because the minute she sees it you'll have to go through this whole cycle again.