Tattoos for Moms: why celebrity parents get inked

Many mothers will carry pictures of their kids in their wallets, post photo albums on Facebook, wear jewelry with their children's birthstones or initials, or even put bumper stickers on their cars declaring there's a "baby on board." But the Daily Mail claims a new trend is emerging where proud moms are celebrating their kids—and their womanhood—through body art. Men have often paid tribute to their children through ink, but "mommy tattoos" are on the rise and female celebrities may be responsible for leading the trend.

Angelina Jolie displays love for her six children on her arm. The birthplaces of Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne (and last year she added Brad Pitt's) are written as earth coordinates covering up an old "Billy Bob" tattoo-the remnants of her old flame.

Heidi Klum has husband Seal's name tattooed on her arm (pictured below), but they just announced they're separating, so that may get removed! Next to his name are four tattooed stars symbolizing the couple's children, Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou. Remember: a spouse may be temporary, but children are forever.

Likewise, Pamela Anderson once had "Tommy" (as in her ex, rocker Tommy Lee) etched on her ring finger, but after the romance failed she changed it to "Mommy," a name that will be more permanent in her life.

Forget "tramp stamps." Julia Roberts has the names of her kids, Hazel, Phinnaeus, and Henry, tattooed on her lower back.

Victoria Beckham has five stars tattooed on her back-one for her, one for husband David Beckham, and one for each of their three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. Brooke Burke got the names of her four children tattooed on her wrist in cursive. Now Neriah, Sierra, Rain, and Shaya will always be with her. Mel B of the Spice Girls has a Phoenix on her arm as a tribute to daughter Phoenix Chi.

Let's face it--tattoos have a bad wrap. But that's because some people get them while intoxicated or choose symbols or characters in other languages without understanding their true meaning. Some people get random tattoos like a rose with no real meaning at all and later regret them. Others get caught up in passion and get a tattoo for their significant other that will last far longer than the courtship.

You know which tattoo most women wouldn't regret? One in honor of their children. Whether it's a tattoo of your kid's name, their birth date, their baby footprints, or their portrait, a mommy tattoo has a meaning that people can respect. Tastes change, and relationships end, but your kids will always be your kids no matter what.