Last year, I came out to my parents, sister and best friend.  Since then I was hoping to have started transitioning or taking steps towards it but University work got in the way.  I've now finished University and want to start transitioning before I get a full-time job.

However, so far I have struggled to talk to my parents about what I want to happen.  They've accepted me but my mum is struggling to understand it because my interests are generally 'male' interests, like playing or watching sport (which my sister enjoys as well).  However, I've generally kept any 'female' interests hidden because I was worried what people would say.  I've always been a very reserved person and I struggle when I try to provide answers to my mum's questions.  My dad and sister haven't really talked much about it but have both said they accept it.

My best friend has been very helpful and I've been able to talk to her with more confidence.  However, we now live about 300 miles apart which makes things difficult, although I will hopefully be seeing her soon.

I can understand, I'm sure I'll have a hard time convincing my mom, when most of my interests are 'male', and I spent all my childhood pretending to hate girls and all girly stuff, and now, if I came out to her, I'm sure she'd be surprised and shocked. I wasn't visibly 'unhappy' either when, I always kept my unhappiness and depression hidden, and only in the past few years have I let her in on the fact that I'm pretty unhappy with life; but I never really told her why I'm unhappy though.

Sometimes, the time isn't right for taking a big decision like transitioning, I'd say you did the right thing by waiting to finish university, now you have one less thing to worry about, and probably feel a lot more secure.

It's always nice to have a friend who you can confide all secrets too, makes life a lot easier.

Your parents need to understand that being transgender has nothing to do with interests. How many trans guys here liked playing with dolls? How many trans girls here like shooting and martial arts. Just like cisgender women, trans women express their gender in a whole variety of ways.

You're actually in better shape than a lot of people here, whose parents refuse to accept their gender or their transitions. Once the lines of communications open and your parents get over their shock, it wouldn't surprise me if they become decent allies.

People like to think that girls like girly things and men like macho things... but, i see everyday that this "rules" are overrated. A lot of my friends who are cis girls like sports, like soccer, UFC, cars. When i think about that, is clear that my fiancee like more "guys" stuff than me.

So, dont let those things change who you are. If you are a girl that like those kind of thing, so what?

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 02, 2014, 10:07:17 AM
Your parents need to understand that being transgender has nothing to do with interests. How many trans guys here liked playing with dolls? How many trans girls here like shooting and martial arts. Just like cisgender women, trans women express their gender in a whole variety of ways.

You're actually in better shape than a lot of people here, whose parents refuse to accept their gender or their transitions. Once the lines of communications open and your parents get over their shock, it wouldn't surprise me if they become decent allies.

Very well said... 
I agree..

Thank you for your replies.

I don't think my mum really believes that there are separate 'male' and 'female' interests, she's just looking for some signs that I am female.  I think once she gets used to it, it will no longer be an issue.  It's just when she asks questions like that, I feel I have to explain myself, which I'm not very good at and that affects my confidence.

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 02, 2014, 10:07:17 AM
You're actually in better shape than a lot of people here, whose parents refuse to accept their gender or their transitions. Once the lines of communications open and your parents get over their shock, it wouldn't surprise me if they become decent allies.

When I read some people's experiences, I realise how lucky I am that at least my parents accept me, even if they don't understand.  I had hoped that when I first came out to my parents, I would make progress, but it doesn't feel like I have.  I feel like I have spent a lot of time explaining what I want to happen when I'm not entirely sure what that is.  Since I came out to my best friend nearly 18 months ago, the only people I have told have been people in various support roles at university.