Mark Wahlberg is focused on the most important thing in his life, his family and being a dad to his 4 kids. He is all about nurturing them, guiding them and spending time with them, but he has some unconventional parenting tips too. Yesterday we learned that he has been taking his two eldest kids, to his tattoo removal appointments. Mark has 7 tattoos and has decided to have them removed and in an effort to deter his children from getting one, he is taking them with to see the pain he is going through. Hmm….
We have been hearing a lot recently about Mark’s upcoming projects, he is still working on the Entourage movie, and he is also working on the new film, 2 Guns. Aside from his obvious professional and business success, Mark has made it clear to the public that his most important role is playing father and husband.
“I’ve always said, ‘If I succeed as a businessman and I fail as a father, then it’s all been for nothing…That’s, by far, the most important role that I’ll ever play in my life … being a parent and a husband.”
It is so sweet hearing Mark talk like this. It is quite clear what a family man he is. We often see gorgeous pics of him with his family (like the one above and more below.) Mark and his wife, Rhea Durham have 4 children, Ella Rae, Michael, Brendan Joseph and Grace Margaret. It is quite clear that he takes his role as father seriously, but his decision to take his 2 eldest kids with him to his tattoo removal procedures “so they see how painful it is and what I have to go through” is fairly out-there IMHO. It would probably be highly effective in deterring them from getting their skin inked when they’re older, but it could also be very frightening for them. There’s nothing like teaching by example, huh?
What do you think of Mark’s parenting style?
When I was 13 I tried smoking. My dad, a palliative care doctor, found out and took me to see one of his terminal lung cancer patients (with the patient’s permission). I learned more from that than I would have from any lecture. Kids can’t imagine late consequences, they have to be shown first hand…I never smoked again, and I’ll bet that Mark’s kids will think long and hard before they get a tattoo now :P
agree
Absolutely. Actions speak louder than words. Much respect to your dad. I probably would never have touched a cigarette again if I’d been exposed to such a hard lesson. I smoked for 20 years. Now I can’t stand the smell of cigarette smoke.
Tattoos are something that should be thought about before getting anyway, but it kind of irks me when they’re viewed upon so badly-like they’re on the same level as smoking,drinking and drugs.
I think it’s kind of over kill what he is doing, when his children are older he could have sat down with them and talked about tattoos, That they should really be something, that they are art and like most things in life are something that should not be done on a whim.
totally agree!
I don’t know. I think with tattoos better safe than sorry. I’m sure there are some girls out there with horribly disfigured dolphins jumping over their belly buttons that would have liked to learn a lesson like this. Too many young people get them for the wrong reasons.
I agree, which is why I said it shouldn’t be done on a whim. Instead of taking them to this, he could of got a barbie doll or something of that sort, something that would get their attention and give it tattoos with a permanent marker-then explain to his children that, like the permanent marker, tattoos are something that are permanent and tattoos are something that should be thought out completely and planned before getting them.
I have one tattoo now, and three others I plan on getting, all of these tattoos have been ten + years in the making. Not only for planning the design but for making sure it’s really something I want to get.
I don’t think tattoos or people with tattoos are bad, but I think it should be planned out. I just think his way of ‘teaching them a lesson’ is kind of out there and overkill.
Ya know, I don’t think they’re too young. My son is 5 and there are a lot of life lessons that I think you should continue to discuss with your kids from an early age. He seems like such an awesome dad that I’m sure he approached this in a good way.
I don’t mind the lesson he’s teaching, especially since tattoos are so glorified. I have nothing against tattoos, I have 2 myself, but they are deeply personal and I know that I won’t regret them in 30 years. My 11 year old is interested but she knows how much they hurt and that I didn’t get them just bcuz I thought they were cool at the time. Her dad has a few of those tattoos and tells her constantly how he wishes he hadn’t gotten them.
I guess my parenting style is similar. I’ve thought about taking my kid to the dentist with me so she could watch me get one of my molars drilled on; with the hopes that it would make her see why I’m so annoying about her keeping her teeth brushed. (The tooth I’m referring to is one that got filled when I was a kid, and now needs to be refilled.)
I’m on the fence, wouldn’t it be better if he kept them and used them to remind his kids on why you shouldn’t get shitty tattoos?
I agree Sarah and Ama! I’ve been thinking about a tattoo for 2 years now, and I’m going to get it this summer when I go to the US. The point should be to not get shitty tattoos u will regret. Tattoos can be beautiful though, they are art.