First, congrats to your daughter for showing the poise to come out. I’m sure it’s a brutally difficult thing with which to grapple. Societal pressures, peer pressure, ignorance, family, hell, even possible personal fears, doubts about what was/is taking place that I know I’d have. So to come out, awesome on her.
Congrats on handling this with grace and love. That’s all you can do. Educate yourself, listen, and support her. While you seem to have alluded to some ways you could have handled it better, no worries. We’re imperfect as people and parents. I’m sure you’re daughter knows your love and support for her is unwavering and that’s what matters.
Having said all that, I have some questions because I myself am not educated on the topic. Like, at all tbh. She was born a male? And then at some point started identifying as a female? At what age? Is this something that she or others would have surgery for and take hormones for? I apologize if I appear to be prying. I’m curious more than anything.
In addition, how did you handle it semi-poorly at first as you’ve mentioned. I could see me doing the same and basically having the mindset that kids are dumb as **** and that they shouldn’t jump to any conclusions about sexuality or identity as it’s such a hormonal, tricky time. Admittedly, there was a time period late in high school and early in college in which I questioned my sexuality. It wasn’t that I craved ****, lol, it has to do with other reasons. I’ll divulge them if people are curious. I guess my point is, again, it’s a tricky time and to come to a definitive conclusion about something so important could be, for lack of a better word, possibly wrong. At least at that point in time.
I feel like one should listen to one’s self but not do anything life altering til maybe 22-23 years old as we are so vulnerable at a younger age. **** can be confusing. That said, if an 18 year old is that sure about something like this, I doubt they’re “wrong” and would feel differently 4-5 years later.
Anyway, you know I think you’re a great dude. You’re highly intelligent and compassionate which are perhaps two of the most important qualities a parent could have in helping raise and support a transgender child. I hope you did not take my comments as doubtful or crossing a line or anything of that nature.