Some guy on the Internet is wondering whether it’s a good idea to tattoo his premature twin sons – and I don’t disagree with him.
Hear me out.
This dad took to Reddit to share his story – and make a plea for advice. He writes there is “no difference” between his 12-month-old sons besides the fact that one needs medication every few hours due to “serious health issues.” One time, he notes, when they tried marking the healthy twin, the marker washed off while the babies were with granda and the wrong son got medication, leaving them both sick and in the hospital.
He explains other options haven’t worked, including nail polish, bracelets, specific colored clothing and more.
“I really hate to say it but we are here. I need to do something permanent. I could have lost both my sons last weekend and I’m desperate. I am only after permanent solutions. Believe me when I say we have tried everything else before and it didn’t work. Please help me. I don’t want to lose my boy.”
Naturally, there are differing views swirling around the issue. One commenter on The Stir, Jayedog Howlin, writes, “I say whatever works for them is best. There’s really no right or wrong answer here in this life or death situation.”
Another commenter, Traci McEuen, remarks, “IN NO WAY do you want to put ANY ink into a 12-month-old preemie,” and adds perhaps piercing the ear of the twin who is not ill would be a better solution.
Other expressed concerns about piercings, too, and also questioned why some alternative methods, like nail polish on the baby’s toes, didn’t work.
Another commenter, Tracie Ables, writes, “There are other ways than tattooing them. You have any idea of how painful that would be for them? Tattooing a small child should be illegal no matter the reason. You can’t write their names on their clothes? Or something that’s not going to cause a lot of pain and something permanent for them?”
I don’t know. And after reading this parent’s heartfelt post on Reddit and failed attempts with alternatives, I have to say I don’t think it’s a 100 percent horrible idea. I really feel for this parent and can’t imagine being in this situation. What’s the idiom? “Desperate times call for desperate measures”?
Under normal circumstances, I’d say, “Are you crazy?!” but it sounds like dad is legitimately concerned for his kids’ health and safety. It’s actually really important that there is a surefire way to tell the twins apart. And it’s not like he’s talking about branding them with a giant tribal tattoo or a favorite song lyric. The guy is talking about some small, insignificant dot.
I just wish this family the best of luck in helping their boys stay healthy – and alive.
What do you think? Is this totally ridiculous, or do you feel for the family? What would you do in this situation?
