Mom of a trans teen son.

[Sparklefish]

Hello everyone.I have been browsing the forum for awhile now and decided to join.My 15 year old only child is trans and wants to start T soon. I am overwhelmed by all the information out there honestly. I don't know where to start or how I feel about it. I want him to be happy this is the point where all this is becoming very real for me! I just don't want to do anything dangerous or that he will regret.Any other parents of trans teens out there? When he was growing up I thought that he'd be bi or gay but I didn't see the trans stuff coming.So I'm here for support and guidance.I want him to know I love him unconditionally even though this is hard for me.

[PollyQMcLovely]

They're probably going to turn out pretty darn great with an intelligent, caring and supportive mother like you.

[Laurie]

  Hi  Sparklefish,

  I'm Laurie, I see that you are new here. So please let me say, Welcome To Susan's Place! Come on in and take a good look around. As a parent I understand the love of a parent for their child. It is or should be an unconditional love. I can see that it is in your case. You are correct that there is a mountain of information out there. It can be overwhelming. Where does a parent start? Well Hun, a good place would be to find a gender therapist with experience of treating the younger teen transgender patients. They can be of tremendous help in not only exploring this transgender issues but can help guide you and your son in want is next. A therapist if a great help to those of us of all ages. I started my MtF transition at 64 a bit more than a year ago. I have been seeing my therapist the whole time and doing see me stopping as this road we travel can be bard and confusing. You could also benefit from some sessions yourself to help you understand it.
  We also have a Significant Others forum where we try to let other SO's share with each other and we try not to intrude too much though it is open to all. we also have a youth forum the is moderated a bit more to keep an eye on your younger members. Both of you are welcome here. ((Hug))
  I'll add some links and information below that can help you get more out of our site. Please take time to become familiar with them especially the RED one as we are always getting questions that are answered there.
 
Laurie
Global Moderator
Laurie@susans.org

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[V M]

Hi Sparklefish 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

[Sparklefish]

Thank you for the welcome and the kind words! I will check out the links and me and his dad are looking into therapy now. I have a great therapist who is very supportive.I finally have gotten the pronoun right and call him by his male name all the time now.That's my baby so I am proud to call him my son. 

[HappyMoni]

Your love and support are the most important thing. Your priority is right, this is your child. I imagine your son will help guide you. As a parent myself, I just want my children to be happy. It is an adjustment for all. Don't feel bad if it takes you time to adjust. It will not happen all at once, it is a process. Finding support for all of you is a great idea. It will be okay.
Moni

[Janes Groove]

Hi SparkleFish.  And welcome to the site.  I love that name.  As someone who didn't have very supporting parents I can't tell you how good it is to know you are supporting your trans son. In my opinion it will mean the world to him.

Please feel free to join in any of the discussions in any of the forums. We value all our allies and SO's.  They are as important to us as our trans members.  You're part of the family now.

[Jessica]

Welcome Sparklefish, your son has wonderful parents!

[sam.i.am]

You are amazing for coming here and doing this..whether it is for yourself, your son or both of you. Even just the fact you already are calling him, your son. I'm in my 30's- just openly came out as trans. But, have been out as "gay" since 2002 when I was 16, which was hard enough for my mom (at that time). You're amazing for supporting who he is, really. More so, that you are finding your own resources on a different level than merely relying on search engines and others who aren't living the same lives.

Your son deserves a congratulations, but honestly, so do you.

[Sparklefish]

I know I'm late in my response but I just wanted to say thank you all so much for your kind words. You all are the brave ones! It takes so much strength and courage to come out and live the life you are meant to live. Yes I am extremely proud of my son. When he was little I always told him it didn;t matter what other people thought of him and his only job was to be true to himself because if he was the rest would fall in place. He is so bold and confident.I am so happy he feels free to be himself. Keep being you guys.You are fabulous!