Is your child struggling with their sexual identity and orientation? Are you unsure how to navigate the conversations? I am here to help! I would love to work with you and provide tools on how to talk your child about their sexual identity and orientation. Whether you are just discussing the terms and labels or having an open and honest conversation about your child’s sexual preferences, I am here to provide information and support.
PRIDE month has just ended, and your child might have had questions about what PRIDE is all about. Or maybe they even went to some PRIDE events. Now is a perfect time to talk with your child about these things, but before you have these conversations, I have a few tips to help you begin.
First of all, I think it is important to know the correct terminology and gender definitions before talking to your child. Do some research of your own before starting the conversation. This will make it easier for you to understand what your child is going through. It is also vital to explore your own feelings about your child’s gender identity. It's ok to have feelings about your child’s sexual identity and orientation, or even be uncomfortable about their decision, but accepting your child as who they are is the most important factor. Children want to be heard and understood. It is important to validate your child’s feeling. The first step to accepting your child’s identity and orientation is to become comfortable with it and educate yourself on their gender identity.
It is also very important to encourage your child to talk about it. Offer resources for outside support, the following are wonderful programs that can really help your child. Here are a list of a few: Colorado Crisis Line- 844-493-8255, The Trevor Project Crisis Line- 866-488-7386, Thrive Lifeline- 313-662-8209(18yrs or older), Trans Lifeline- 877-565-8860, GLBT National Hotline 888-843-4564, or the Youth Talkline 800-246-7743. Try and understand that your child may not want to talk to you directly about it -so utilize the resources above. Therapy can also be a good option for you, your child and the family. And you can always CALL ME! I can help you through this process and provide you with concrete tools on how to navigate this potentially sensitive issue. Just remember you are not alone, and when you are prepared to start the conversation, you will build a stronger relationship between you and your child.
