As I’ve become a more grown-up adult – as opposed to the time in my life when I was called an adult but felt like an imposter – I’ve realized that a big part of the holidays involves managing expectations. Your own. Your family’s. And other people’s. You essentially become an event planner/social director/professional shopper/caterer/customer… Continue reading Managing Expectations During the Holidays
As we approach the holiday season, there is increasing pressure to attend social events. These can be with family, friends, co-workers, or other acquaintances. Often, it requires getting together with people you don’t see very often. If you are the parent of a transgender child, this can also mean people who haven’t seen your child… Continue reading Setting Boundaries During the Holidays
In the LGBTQ+ community, we recently observed Trans Parent day, which takes place on the first Sunday in November. According to TransParent.org, which operates a public group on Facebook, this is a day that “celebrates life and the love between Transgender parents and their children. And parents and their Transgender children.” Not either/or, both/and. However,… Continue reading I’m Not a Trans Parent: Admitting When You Are Wrong
When your child comes out as transgender, you will find yourself having to make a choice about the unsupportive people in your life. Keep them or walk away.
For example, I might say, “I’m grieving the hopes and dreams I had of having a daughter.” Or, “I’m grieving the fact that I had expectations, and they’ve changed.” This way, I own my feelings and experience them. I still support my child by not saying, “I’m grieving the loss of my daughter.”
When my son first came out as being transgender, there was a lot I didn’t know and understand. I mistakenly thought gender and sexuality were the same things, and so the whole idea of being transgender was confusing to me. It took me a long time to come to the understanding that much like how… Continue reading When Parenting Your Child is Confusing
Merriam-Webster defines choose, a verb, as: “to select freely and after careful consideration.” The third definition is decide, “to make a final choice or judgment about.” I didn’t choose to be the parent of two LGBTQ+ sons. My oldest son is gay, and my youngest son is transgender, and I am their mother; because these… Continue reading Coming Out As An Ally
The first few weeks of back to school season can be very overwhelming for students, parents, and educators. Children are trying to sort out new schedules, new friends, and new expectations. Parents are trying to juggle before and after school activities, navigate emotional rollercoasters (their children’s and their own). Educators are working to ensure that… Continue reading Back to School Resources
Alex Gino’s George is a compelling and tender story about the strength it takes to live as a gender you don’t identify with, and the courage it takes to reveal to the world your real identity. This middle-grade fiction novel features George, a ten-year-old fourth-grader who loves reading, video games, and chocolate milk, and has… Continue reading Review: George by Alex Gino
It was March of 2016, and I was at our town’s community center to vote. A woman I had known since I had moved to town was checking me in. As usual, she was asking how my children were. Our children grew up together. Her oldest son was in the same grade as my oldest,… Continue reading How to Respond When Others Ask About Your Child
