Let's talk about grief

Published 29 days ago • 2 min read

Grief is a tough topic for lots of parents of trans kids (possibly you).

They might even think or say things like “I feel like I’ve lost my son [or daughter].” And that feeling of loss is REAL.

It’s important to remember that you’re grieving the loss of your expectations for your child, not the loss of your child.

Your kid is still the same kid!

It’s normal and necessary to give yourself the space and grace to grieve those expectations, but it’s important to do that grieving, questioning, and processing away from your child.

Your kiddo needs the freedom to explore their identity and discover themselves and grow without carrying the burden of your processing.

Because if your child sees that grieving, it can hurt. Of course you don’t mean to hurt them, but to your child, that grieving can feel like rejection.

It can be really helpful to talk to other parents of trans kids and young adults and find a community for that safe space to process your feelings.

There’s a difference between allowing yourself to feel these really hard emotions, dealing with them appropriately, and making an effort to move on versus staying in that grief and refusing to move on.

And you can’t get stuck in that grief! You gotta get through that grief so you can get to the joy.

And there is so much joy and hope on the other side.

If you're feeling stuck in grief, I'd like to talk about it.

You can schedule a quick call with me on Zoom, and if there’s a way for Parents of Trans Youth to help you, I’ll share that.

But sometimes another organization or resource can help you better, and I’ll point you in their direction.

Just click the button below to schedule a call.

Schedule a chat with me!

Mandy Giles (she/her)
Founder and CEO
Parents of Trans Youth

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Parents of Trans Youth provides learning, support, and community to parents and caregivers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive kids.

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