explaining to young children

[ChelseaAnn]

I will be going to a friend's party on Saturday, presenting as Chelsea. (I am pre-everything). A friend of mine is bringing her two elementary age children, who do not know yet. They are likely to recognize me. She is looking for suggestions on how to explain things to them. I have already suggested I am Jazz. Any other ideas, or things that have worked for you?

[suzifrommd]

"Some people who look like men, actually find out that they are happier being women. We call them transgender. I'm one of those people."

Kids find this remarkably easy to understand. They haven't absorbed a lot of the adult gender baggage yet.

Enjoy.

[ImagineKate]

My therapist's advice:

Tell them you are transgender. Don't be afraid to use the word.

Don't try to explain the etiology, just explain that inside you are one gender and outside you look like another. Eventually you will change to look like the other and this will make you happy.