Your daughter has done something permanent - it won't be changed by your criticism or complaint. You have to think what will be gained or lost by saying anything. If she knows you are disappointed, will that help her not do things in the future that you disapprove of? I doubt it. She obviously has her own mind and wants to use it. Her thought is probably something like, "my parents don't like this but so what - I am my own person." Your job as a parent is to express your values, offer your guidance and set appropriate limits while you convey your love and concern. You've done all that. You can't actually control your youngster. If you don't say anything at all about the tatoo ever, your daughter will not be able to distract herself with your rejection. Even when the weather warms up and the tatoo becomes more visible due to summer fashion, you needn't say anything at all. Just leave her with her own decision. She may say to you, "I guess you saw my tatoo." At that point you can say, "Yes I saw it." And say no more. She already knows exactly what you think about it. If she pushes you by saying something further like, "Well, I like it." You can respond, "Obviously." In other words, try not to get involved. If she had wanted your approval that badly, she could have refrained from doing something that she knows you disapprove of. Your silence on the subject can speak volumes. If you had decided to throw a fit, she could have just focused on YOU and how irrational you are, instead of thinking about her own actions. Just move on. Be your regular, warm, loving self - that's your best bet for continuing to have a positive influence of some kind on your daughter.   Sarah Chana

MY DAUGHTER DID THE VERY SAME THING AT AGE 16. IT WAS ON HER LOWER BACK. THEN AFTER A TRIP TO CHINA, SHE CAME HOME AND GOT A TIBETEN PRAYER TATOOED ON HER FOREARM......IT GOES FROM HER ELBOW TO HER WRIST! BY THIS POINT, SHE WAS 19 AND IN COLLEGE. ALL I SAID TO HER WAS " WELL IT SURE IS BIG".  MY ADVICE IS WORRY ABOUT THE BIG STUFF, NOT THE SMALL STUFF.....