Parents' Feelings

By Margaret Griffiths

As the parent of a trans person, I know the worries that arrive in the wake of disclosure. Some of them are shared by almost every parent I have spoken to through Depend.

Grief

Grief comes in stages — denial, anger, sadness and, eventually, acceptance. Many parents grieve the child they thought they knew, the future they had imagined. This is entirely natural. It does not mean you love your child any less.

Medical concerns

Parents worry about the safety of hormones and surgery. These are legitimate concerns. In the UK, trans healthcare is regulated, and reputable practitioners follow established protocols.

Employment and financial security

Legal protections exist and they are stronger than many people realise.

Telling other people

In practice, most people are kinder than you expect.

The future

The future, while different from what was expected, can still be rich and full.

Things are rarely as bad as you think they are going to be. Transition can bring blessings — a child who is finally themselves, a relationship that grows deeper because it is built on truth.