I got so tired of people saying how well [I’m] handling [my son being trans.]

The bar is just so incredibly low for trans people being treated well that basic human decency and being a good person is seen as something insanely progressive or saintlike. That being said, thank you for being a good parent to your son. It's sad how rare supportive parents like you are to people like us.

I feel this too. Like what else was I going to do? Here’s my (imaginary) comedy bit about it. A little different viewpoint but same basic premise. Laughing about it helps me keep my life in perspective.

Right now I’ve got kids in elementary school, middle school, and high school. That’s a lot to handle at the same time. Three different stages of life, three sets of interests.

Recently my high schooler came out as transgender. It’s been a bit of an adjustment with his new pronouns, but I am always entertained when people ask me “How are you handling that?”

As if I’m the one who has to do anything other than make sure he gets his driver’s license and help him decide on a college, which is exactly what I was doing before he came out.

I tell them, “Oh, that? No big deal. He’s finding his way, as teenagers do. I mean, everyone has always said what an amazing person he is. You know him, you’ve said so yourself many times.

“Let me tell you, the one that’s making me crazy is his little sister who thinks she’s a vegetarian. Eats a bite of vegetables for dinner with a generous glass of milk. But always first in line for hot dogs.

“Yes, hot dogs. She says she can have those as a vegetarian, because one time I told her hot dogs don’t count as meat.”

So I did.

So then I say, “Actually I think I’m raising a Christmas Elf. I’ve never seen a person so full at dinner after two bites of broccoli, who could turn around and demolish a bowl of ice cream the size of her head, and then still sneak candy afterward. This kid asks for waffles every morning and drinks syrup like water.”

You should see the judgment I get when I tell them that. I can see brains misfire. Absolutely no one understands that, for a Christmas Elf, she’s getting her four major food groups. (You know: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup).

By this point in the conversation, my friends are not even thinking about my trans son any more, because as you know the world is united in judgment against parents who don’t make sure kids eat healthy food.

Seriously, I know my vegetarian will find her way, as kids do. And so will my transgender son. And probably even the middle schooler who plays video games every spare minute (talk about things you should judge me for).

The important thing to handle is, I’m going to be there for them all as they grow and become amazing people the world needs. Ain’t no thing, because that’s what parents are supposed to do.

And as you can see, the fact my high schooler is now a son is the least of my concerns at the moment. Those pesky driver’s license practice hours, tho...

It’s all about perspective, my friends. Stay judgment free. It’s a wild ride, but we are all just finding our way. One day at a time.

Peace.

The number of people who applaud me for supporting my son is a little sad...bc maybe most people expect a different reaction? He is my kid and if he walks through fire, I walk with him.

My son is also high functioning autistic, so he still isn’t driving yet and may never pass the driving test. I fretted about that to no end when he was a teenager, until I realized I don’t have to handle it because that’s what the motor vehicle department is for!)

I so totally get this. But on the other hand when I tell people about my impending divorce they say well having a trans kid has to be hard on any marriage. Like wtf. No it’s not my kids fault. If anything that’s why we stayed together so long.