When your child tells you they are gay, non-binary or transgender, or anywhere else on the gender and sexuality spectrum, you immediately have a lot of thoughts and feelings about it.  Instead of feeling grateful and happy that your child has shared this with you, you may feel fear, disappointment, anger, or frustration.  Or maybe experience a mix of all of it. It can be a roller coaster ride that you aren't prepared for.

 

As parents, we have expectations for our children, and when they don't meet those expectations, it can create negative emotions. On top of those negative emotions, you feel guilt, and that sets you up to feel shame, which feels terrible.

 

Our feelings drive all our actions, and I promise you that no great parenting moments will ever come out of guilt or shame -- the best ones come out of love. I will help you sort through the complicated emotions that you have around your LGBTQIA+ child, whether they are still under your wing or a fully-fledged adult, so that your relationship with them can move forward in love.