Hi Mazzyb,   sounds like your are doing an amazing job doing all the right things  :) Finding a parents support group for you is also invaluable.... All the best.   ... View more

Hi @Defiant I am new to the forum and just posted my story in the introductions.  I am a mum of a transgender child.  My son came out to me approx 8 mths ago, born female but identifies as male and wants to fully transition as male when he legally is allowed to do so.  But in the meantime I am fully supportive of doing all I can to support him. We found local groups and lgbtq groups, gender groups for parents and teens...sought out specific counsellors that deal in transgender issues and had been doing all the things we could to overcome the gender dysphoria.   one of the biggest issues we face for my son is making sure he feels he can pass as male and masculine. There have been a lot of appearance changes in haircuts..dress etc.   But even when I think I am doing all I can...I can't actually imagine and know what it is like to feel trapped in the wrong body.  I don't have gender dysphoria or body dysphoria and my child was really good at pretending all was ok and internalising this.  This lead to depression and now because he is in so much emotional turmoil over all this, he is cutting his body. And I have a close relationship with my son and we have always been able to talk but this was something that even my son didn't know how to explain or express to me.     My my son has come out with a new name to all his friends and they are all wonderful and accepting.  There are going to be lots more struggles ahead but just like you we will get through it.  You sound like an amazing parent. Sadly I have actually come across families who just can't deal with there child coming out as transgender.  They dismiss it and refuse to accept it. Really sad stuff.   ... View more

Hi thank you for the welcome.   I am a single mum. Left my husband after 20yrs, verbally and emotionally abusive then towards the end physically. I thought that was the hardest thing I had ever done besides child birth but this year has proven to be more challenging than that.  I have a beautiful unique child whom is 14 born female but identifies as male. He came out to me earlier this year.  He also has an autism spectrum disorder which was diagnosed at 5.     The gender dysphoria my son experiences is huge and the anxiety and depression has been scary with suicidal thoughts and now most recently self harming which he has been doing for many many months but kept hidden and I only just found out about it recently so we are dealing with a lot right now.   we have various professionals involved and I have gone back to seeing my counsellor for me so I can remain strong for my son but it's been very hard.   on a positive note my son makes me laugh all the time with his wicked sense of humour. ... View more

Hi so sorry to hear your son is having trouble.  The first thing I would do is raise this with the school.  His class teachers etc.  Check out the schools anti bullying policy etc.  Go chat with the teachers, school counsellors etc and voice your concerns.   Your childs self esteem is important at this age.  Kids are cruel.  I agree get him into some after school activities.  What are his interests...musical instrument, theatre groups, self defence etc.  Reading clubs, computer clubs etc.  Not sure what would be available where you are since you said your in a small country town.    Also find out exactly what your son has trouble with- initiating conversations?  Is he shy around others, feels awkward or overwhelmed?  What is it about social situations that he struggles with.   Can he go talk to a school counsellor or someone- maybe research social anxiety?  I know this is a personal question but does he have an autism spectrum disorder where social communication skills might be the cause.   I ask because my son has asd but around me is fine.   Anyway all the best.  All we can do is try to help our kids through things as best we can but getting to the bottom of it sometimes is like real detective work.  ... View more