Today my son brought home a note from his teacher. He wants me to come with him on a field trip to a Museum. I would be a chaperone, so I would be watching other children too. I've done this before, but that was pre-transition. He still wants to call me Dad. I warned him of the possibility of being bullied by the other kids, but he's being a real trooper and said it doesn't matter. He will still call me Dad.
How have you handled this kind of situation? and has your child faced bullying because of their love for their parent?
I have already dealt with bullying issues with my child and it was long before my situation arrived.
The thing is, as a parent, you might as well already get ready to deal with it regardless. You won't need any help in having some of these issues appear.
I wish I had an easy answer for you. I haven't come out to my daughters' school yet, mainly because they're in High School and the simple fact that I happen to convert oxygen into carbon dioxide is embarrassing enough for them... let alone the fact that their mum is transitioning into a dude.
I am soooooooo glad my son has escaped the public education system and gone into being an adult.
I have so little of anything kind to say about the education system.
Quote from: Lesley_Roberta on April 02, 2013, 11:40:07 AM
I am soooooooo glad my son has escaped the public education system and gone into being an adult.
I have so little of anything kind to say about the education system.
Then may I ask you to refrain from mentioning your disdain for it? Some of us work very hard to make that system a success.
@Keaira:
Haven't faced yet faced your situation yet, but it will come. I teach in the school my daughter attends and I'll be a full time woman next year.
Make sure your son knows he doesn't deserve bullying. Once he knows that, he will deal with it in a constructive way, either confronting it or bringing in adult help.
Quote from: suzifrommd on April 02, 2013, 04:01:26 PM
Then may I ask you to refrain from mentioning your disdain for it? Some of us work very hard to make that system a success.
@Keaira:
Haven't faced yet faced your situation yet, but it will come. I teach in the school my daughter attends and I'll be a full time woman next year.
Make sure your son knows he doesn't deserve bullying. Once he knows that, he will deal with it in a constructive way, either confronting it or bringing in adult help.
We had the chat about bullying last night. He's 11 yrs old.I gave him the choice to call me by something else or by Dad. I also went though with him that other kids may not understand, they may tease him or bully him if he calls me Dad. He said he would still call me Dad. Brave man he is. I'm proud of him.
I am in a similar position, with the dad stuff. I am not comfortable with being called dad any more than I would being called he, my son,, my brother, that guy over there. It's not really right. I know there is a biological aspect to this, but parenting is about more than biology, otherwise non-biological parents wouldn't be able to be anything to their children.
I am not pretending to have an answer, or saying I *know* anything. It's just a difficult one. Good luck whatever happens. I always try and remember that it is our job to do what is best for them, not what they want, not what we want. That is the real question.... It might be best to sit this one out until you have figured out whether it will result in bullying. Being bullied is horrid as loads here will know and it doesn't stop if you change your mind.
I have no answers just thoughts and I really hope it goes well whatever you decide.
Steph :-)
x
Quote from: Keaira on April 02, 2013, 06:40:47 PM
Brave man he is. I'm proud of him.
Obviously takes after his parent.