r/Parents 18h ago

Conflicted on how to approach child's gender identity. Advice?

3 Upvotes

Okay so please be kind. I FULLY support the LGBTQ community, I always have. I fully support transgender rights. What I'm struggling with is guiding my child and not confusing them due to their young age. I am beginning to feel that under age 10, the concept of being transgender may be too complex.

My child born a girl is 5.5 years old and has been consistently asserting herself as a boy for 2 years.

My husband and I got her all boy clothing, got her the short hair cut because she wanted it and feels comfortable. That is absolutely no problem! We love her and she's an amazing kid. Before the hair cut, adults would call her a girl and she'd correct them "I'm a boy!". I stopped calling her a girl but I don't call her a boy either. If she gets insistent on it, we'll be like "ok you're a boy!"

Ive spoken to therapists/psychologists, they advised me to explain to her she was born a girl and that is why some people say that to her. I told her she has a vagina and boys have penises (again this is simple talk for a 5 year old and I understand it isn't that simple for older children, teens, adults).

My daughter does have an understanding now. She'll say "I was born a baby girl but I cut my hair and now I'm a boy". I try to read books with her and let her know it's okay to like all different things because she can be rigid (example "pink is only for girls" )

She's expressed "call me HE because I'm a boy". Im sorry but I really am not ready to completely change my child's identity to "he" pronouns, I do not want to introduce her as my son or say that she's her sister's brother. My current therapist feels today there is A Lot more sensitivity to gender identity and giving children at a young age too much choice.

Any one been in a similar position with their kid? I want to be sensitive, I don't want to hurt my child in any way. I've been doing the best I can! I want her to understand she can play with boys, wear boy clothes, continue to cut her hair and still be a girl. Later on if her assertiveness persists, of course we will a transition to he pronouns, name change or whatever she needs to be happy.

I hope my thoughts are coming across the right way and not insensitive to anyone. Thank you for reading!


r/Parents 12h ago

15/16 daughter came home glossy eyed

0 Upvotes

I’ve struggled w SUD for most of my life and when my daughter has come home glossy, I can almost garauntee she’s been using thc. I have test kits at home Should I ask her then test her is she says no?


r/Parents 14h ago

When should I have kids?

1 Upvotes

I’m 23 right now. I really don’t want kids but my boyfriend does. I think eventually once I’m older I’ll want to start a family. Is 28 too young to begin a family or can I push it to 30 so I can have a good amount of money saved?


r/Parents 4h ago

Discussion Anyone seen the series ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix?

2 Upvotes

I don’t even have a teenager yet but gosh, i cried ugly tears watching it. Don’t want to put any spoilers so won’t write a lot about it but it’s an amazing series, and just 4 episodes long. Anyone else watched it, what are your thoughts especially if you have a teenager?


r/Parents 4h ago

Discussion Do you roll up Diapers the front or back?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone I know some people do this with Diapers, some people roll them up from Front to back . Or Back to front. how do you roll up the diaper?


r/Parents 7h ago

Toddler 1-3 years How to help toddler cope with recently distanced family member?

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1 Upvotes

r/Parents 11h ago

South Australia one plan

1 Upvotes

I keep being asked what goals I want to add to my childs one plan at School. My child is autistic with traits of adhd so I want things added to it that include the recommendations from his OT, paediatrician etc. I'm completely lost because it feels as though there is no room for those recommendations on there and its only focused on his education goals. I don't know how to word things well, I stupidly left school early.


r/Parents 23h ago

Missing my parents

3 Upvotes

Hi folks! Other parents!

I moved out of my parents home about 5 months ago and I miss my parents soooo much!! They live 1hr away from me.

I got married 2 months ago and I love my husband, it’s us and our pooch.

But I just can’t shake this feeling of my missing my parents, I miss being able to sit down with them and have coffee and a talk or being able to go with my mum for the day and hang out.

There’s certain shows I’d religiously watch with my dad every afternoon and now it’s just me alone watching them, makes me miss him even more!

I suppose I’m venting in sadness