Try as we might, we can’t always protect our teens from things that cause stress or confusion as they move through the years to adulthood. Many of the struggles our teens face will be familiar to us, as we most likely went through something like it during our teen years.
Gender identity struggles, however, are something that may not be quite as familiar to many parents. How can you show your teen son that you support him fully while helping guide him as he faces questions, feels lost and alone, and so much more? We’ve got a few tips to help you along the way.
Educating yourself
If you have little to no knowledge of what it means to be an LGBTQ person, you should first align yourself with as much information as possible. If you have friends or other family members that you can reach out to, you should.
Not only could they become great resources for you, but they may also, in time, become great allies for your son as he moves through the world.
There is also an incredible amount of information to be found online, upbeat people to follow on social media, and even books in your local library to help you become a vital source of support and allyship your teen needs.
Fitting in at school
Your teen may struggle to fit in at school, particularly junior high or middle school. If he struggles here, his struggles are pretty likely to follow him to high school. Here are a few things you and he can both do to help him with his struggles.
- Decide whether he wants to come out at school. This isn’t an easy decision to make, and it may need support from teachers and school administrators. It’s extremely personal and a decision only he can make for himself.
- Find out if there are others at school who can offer support for him. This may be other teens, teachers, or coaches.
- If he’s being bullied, or simply not fitting in, consider a hybrid model, homeschooling, or another option where he can feel supported at school.
Your teen spends a significant portion of his day at school, so it’s crucialt that he feels safe and supported while on campus. Be sure you let him know you’ll support him in his decisions regarding his gender identity. You are your teen son’s strongest and best ally. He will need to lean on you as he tackles what life has to send his way.
Support groups for teens
The counselors at your teen’s school or his therapist may be able to provide you with information about support groups for teens. These types of support groups will offer him peer support, guidance, and the chance to grow his social circle. They may be offered at his school, youth center, or church.
He mustn't feel pressured to go to the support group or stick with it if he doesn’t feel comfortable. It may take some time for him to find the right type of peer group and the right people to mesh with his personality and interests.
Support groups for parents
One way you can help your teen son with his gender identity is to get into a support group made up of parents of LGTBQ teens. Not only will you be able to get support and understanding from the other parents in the group, but you’ll likely learn plenty of tips and information that can help you provide your teen with what he needs.
Other parents who have been living with a teen who is struggling with gender identity for longer than you have will understand how you are feeling and understand the questions and concerns you may have. Be sure to ask plenty of questions so you can get the support you need. This should also include questions about how other parents and their teens have handled school and their struggles at school.
Is your teen struggling to fit in at school? Consider an alternative education option that will support him with therapy and other solutions to help him along his path. At Liahona Academy, we can provide teens with the support and structure they need to see the highest levels of success.
