I really appreciate you sharing your story and commend you for doing your best to protect your son. I’m also happy to hear that your son was not forced into receiving unnecessary medical care and that he - with your guidance, no doubt - is not at all confused about being a boy! One thing I would note is that these “gender specialists” have it wrong all of the time, not just some or most of the time. It is never right to tell a young child they are the opposite sex, regardless of the child’s gender diversity or even the child’s desire to be, or confusion about being, then opposite sex. No child is born in the wrong body. Some adults may eventually decide to transition and live as the opposite sex, but that is a difficult decision involving weighing of costs and benefits and is not something a small child could ever decide. Telling a child they are in fact the opposite sex is just lying.
Thank you for telling your story. As the mother of a male teen caught up in this, it was a relief to find out that your son made his way out instead of becoming one more tragedy. The mothers I know trying to save their children all go to sleep thinking of this and wake up thinking of it. There's very little escape from it.
You mention GeMS and Laura Edwards-Leeper, who has been noticeably silent over the last year and a half. You'd think someone with her experience and notoriety would have something to add to this contentious discussion, some insight to offer. I think she's hoping to avoid whatever blame starts getting thrown around when wider society wakes up. No such luck, though.
This sounds so incredibly difficult. I can't even imagine the fury and frustration you must have felt during those years when you were trying you o get help from wo called experts. I'm so glad that your son didn't go down the medicalization path. Hugs, mama ❤️
Thank you for your article. Your story is heartbreaking and fascinating in its duality but also confusing and mind boggling to see and understand what happened, and perhaps is still happening, in your child’s life. I can certainly recognize why speaking of his personal emotions is now difficult and avoided.
What I would like to know is the process of how or why, or both, your son was able to choose/acknowledge a gender that he was comfortable with. I feel that that information completes the story.
Also, how did your ex-wife deal with his decision and if it’s had an impact in their relationship, and what impact it has the relationship between you and her?
Thank you and my wish for a happy pot and healthy life for your son.
I really appreciate you sharing your story and commend you for doing your best to protect your son. I’m also happy to hear that your son was not forced into receiving unnecessary medical care and that he - with your guidance, no doubt - is not at all confused about being a boy! One thing I would note is that these “gender specialists” have it wrong all of the time, not just some or most of the time. It is never right to tell a young child they are the opposite sex, regardless of the child’s gender diversity or even the child’s desire to be, or confusion about being, then opposite sex. No child is born in the wrong body. Some adults may eventually decide to transition and live as the opposite sex, but that is a difficult decision involving weighing of costs and benefits and is not something a small child could ever decide. Telling a child they are in fact the opposite sex is just lying.
Thank you for telling your story. As the mother of a male teen caught up in this, it was a relief to find out that your son made his way out instead of becoming one more tragedy. The mothers I know trying to save their children all go to sleep thinking of this and wake up thinking of it. There's very little escape from it.
You mention GeMS and Laura Edwards-Leeper, who has been noticeably silent over the last year and a half. You'd think someone with her experience and notoriety would have something to add to this contentious discussion, some insight to offer. I think she's hoping to avoid whatever blame starts getting thrown around when wider society wakes up. No such luck, though.
This sounds so incredibly difficult. I can't even imagine the fury and frustration you must have felt during those years when you were trying you o get help from wo called experts. I'm so glad that your son didn't go down the medicalization path. Hugs, mama ❤️
Thank you for your article. Your story is heartbreaking and fascinating in its duality but also confusing and mind boggling to see and understand what happened, and perhaps is still happening, in your child’s life. I can certainly recognize why speaking of his personal emotions is now difficult and avoided.
What I would like to know is the process of how or why, or both, your son was able to choose/acknowledge a gender that he was comfortable with. I feel that that information completes the story.
Also, how did your ex-wife deal with his decision and if it’s had an impact in their relationship, and what impact it has the relationship between you and her?
Thank you and my wish for a happy pot and healthy life for your son.
Barb