Kids get teased. It's as much a fact of life as scraped knees. Even if there is nothing obviously tease-worthy about your child, rest assured, some kids will find something, and hone in on it—especially if you're Honey-Rae Phillips, a little British girl born with a blotchy red mark that covers a good stretch of her body.
“I was at checkout, when I saw an old couple whispering and staring at Honey-Rae’s leg," said mom, Tanya. "I was distraught. It was the first time I had taken her out without covering her up and it confirmed all my worries and fears. People are cruel without even realizing.”
Knowing that unfortunate incident would be repeated time and again, Honey-Rae's parents, Tanya and Adam, decided to do take action. As a means to show their solidarity, and to make her feel good about herself, both parents got tattoos that replicate Honey-Rae's birthmark.
“Most people might think it’s very extreme, but to us, it was the natural thing to do to ensure our daughter never felt different or alone in the world,” said Tanya. “We wanted her to feel special, that her birthmark was something to feel proud of and not embarrassed by.”
The process was "incredibly painful," yet the couple stands by its decision.
“She now constantly touches mine and Adam’s tattoos, then her own birthmark and giggles—I couldn’t be happier,” Tanya said.
Extreme is right. Part of me wants to applaud these brave parents for supporting their daughter in the most radical, meaningful way.
The overwhelming part of me, though, questions whether this was the most effective or even necessary means to teach a child to love and bolster herself. Because what happens at school? What happens at ballet or swimming or soccer...? Her parents won't be there in the playground, ready to whip up a pant leg at a moment's notice saying, "Look, I've got one, too."
In the long run, will this grand gesture actually equip Honey-Rae to deal with taunts?
Dad Turns Son's Artwork into Inspired Tattoo
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