Megan does. Yes, my 17 year old daughter has a tattoo.

In Georgia, it’s illegal to get a tattoo under the age of 18 unless you have written consent from a parent.

Did either of her parents sign for her to get it? Nope.

So how did she get it you ask? Illegally, of course.

Apparently a “friend” who knew a tattoo “artist” who does tattoos out of his house. Last Thursday, while I thought she was hanging out with her friend, they drove to the adjoining town where the “artist” lives and paid him $40 (money from her Grandmother for her upcoming birthday no less!!) to give her a somewhat LARGE tattoo of a sparrow on her left shoulder. Now since we don’t know if this “artist” actually cleaned his stuff and used sterile needles or wore gloves, there is no telling what else he gave her for that $40.

As you can imagine I’m pissed. Actually, I’m a little more than pissed. There is no word for what I am right now. I actually have yet to cry, scream or even swear. I think I’m in shock that my gifted since kindergarten but utterly stupid daughter has gone behind my back 2 weeks before she turns 18 and could legally get a tattoo at a reputable place and done it in such a sneaky, underhanded, un-clean way.

Now if you are wondering how I found out she got a tattoo…

Dakota had heard it at school from one of Megan’s used to be friends. I guess Megan had been showing it off and bragging about it thinking it would never get back to me. Well, it did. Thank you, Dakota. I don’t give you enough credit from time to time since you are usually my not so loving pain in the ass son.

Since Megan is underage and the friend that took her was over 18 and the f***ing loser artist that did it never checked her ID or made her fill out paperwork, I called the police to file a complaint against the two of them. And lucky us… when Megan’s “friend” who took her to get it finally gave the “artists” last name, turns out he was already in the system. Yes… the f***ing loser “artist” has a police record.

Hmmm, imagine that. Would you want someone with a police record to inject dye into your body with a needle that may or may not be sterile?

Ummm, yeah. Me neither.

But Megan did. She paid him $40 to do it. And bragged about it at school after. Sound like a gifted class student to you?

Ummm, yeah. Me neither.

And unfortunately for us, the drama doesn’t end there.

Megan’s “friend” that took her to get the tattoo is pissed she’s in trouble. She was messaging threats to Dakota on his phone and even to me on facebook.

Such nice people Megan has chosen to spend her time with.

You know… I used to judge parents who had unruly teenagers and blame them for their child’s behavior.

I’m sorry. I was wrong.

I used to think those parents must be trashy and therefore that was the reason their kids were bad.

I’m sorry. I was wrong. I had no idea that raising teenagers is so hard. I had no idea that no matter what you do or say or how you have raised your child to believe or think that in the end they will have free will and do what they want.

So my dearest Megan, I feel the need to apologize to you for some things…

I’m sorry that Dave and I have provided you a nice home to live in since you obviously don’t appreciate it.

I’m sorry that I’ve always been that lenient parent who trusts her daughter to do the right thing and make good decisions and basically let you do what you want to do.

I’m sorry that you have never really wanted for anything since we’ve given you all of your needs and most of your wants.

I’m sorry that I’m riding your butt about going to nursing school. You are the one who spent the last two years getting a double seal on your diploma taking those healthcare classes. Up until you met your “friend” that was your goal. Now your goal apparently is to see how many tatt’s your body can hold and how big you can stretch your ears.

Megan’s “friend” told me that because of my actions yesterday (grounding her and calling the police to file a report) I have now lost her. She informed me that Megan will move out when she turns 18 on the 22nd (just like her friend did when she turned 18- who is now living with her boyfriend and not going to college).

I guess that is just the chance I’ll have to take to do what I know is right. Personally, I would like to think I know Megan a little better than her “friend”. Megan knows she will lose her car for good(since it’s in her Dad’s name) and her phone for good(since her Dad pays for it) if she does. She also knows we will not pay for her to go to college unless she lives under our roof. And Megan doesn’t have a job so she therefore has no money. So “friend”, I thinking she’s going nowhere unless you plan on supporting her, but I guess time will tell…

Geez, Thanksgiving should be fun at our home this year. Anyone wanna come over? All the talk at the table will surely be about the bird- not the one we will be eating, the one on Megan’s shoulder!