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My child says they are gay, lesbian or asexual. How do I cope?

Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 19, 2016
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Well realize that your child being bisexual gay/lesbian or being asexual is not wrong and support them and help them it's better they told you then feeling they should lie or cover it up its not easy for you or the child just love them and don't judge them.
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Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 18, 2014
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You accept them for the person that they are because that's the person they always were. There will be so many other pressing issues in life other than a persons sexual preference, keep it in perspective and don't let it define you and especially them.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Sep 26, 2014
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Tell that is completely normal. Define sex for them, sex is just an physical activity, where we get satisfaction when our hormones are released out. There are different forms of sex like straight, gay sex lesbian sex oral anal threesomes and so on. Hence tell your kid that they are completely normal, and to be safe and think twice and thrice before doing anything they want. Make them relaize that, like all they all have 24 hours in a day, there blood color is also red and its the same sun they see just like all others.
Profile: RainyGirlILY
RainyGirlILY on Dec 30, 2014
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By remembering that they are still your child who you have loved and cared for -that has not changed
Profile: julesap3
julesap3 on May 30, 2016
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You accept them. You have to understand that what they are feeling is real. It may take a while to understand, do research and ask questions. Just be a supportive as you can.
Profile: softLight60
softLight60 on Feb 14, 2017
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They are your kid, they look up to you for everything. You should feel glad that they felt comfortable with opening up to you about such a personal topic. Right now they just need a support system from the ones that they love. It may not be ideal or what you imagined but at the end of the day that is still your kid and they need you to be there for them.
Profile: Aayla
Aayla on Dec 9, 2019
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Let them talk about it with you and express their feelings. Telling you about it was important for them, so let them free to share as much as they want. If you have questions, you can ask them in an empathetic and respectful way. Support them and let them know that it's ok and you just want them to be happy. If you're new to this, do some research about these realities, and look for the support of an LGBT association. Many of them are used to supporting the family of LGBT people and helping them understand and accept this reality.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 1, 2021
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The most important thing to realize is that your child knows themselves better than you do. Your child will identify in whichever way they want, and you cannot change that. Policing your child's identity will only lead to frustration and resentment for both parties. Instead, treat your child with compassion, and get to know more about this aspect of their identity. Do some research on your own. Becoming educated on an unfamiliar topic can help you understand it better. Your child is still your child, there is just a new piece of them that you haven't learned about yet. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not an inherently bad thing, and it is important to celebrate their identity rather than shaming them for it.
Profile: HeyItsMeLiz
HeyItsMeLiz on Nov 9, 2014
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Never tell your child outright that this is wrong, or shun them for what they feel. For some it's a choice, and depending on your religion and beliefs, it may be a good or bad one. But for some, they can't help it; it's just how they feel, and they may grow out of it. Don't act like your child is something abnormal or dirty, because chances are, they already feel that way.
Profile: LookForTheRainbow
LookForTheRainbow on Nov 10, 2014
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Accept their sexuality, it's their life and choices. They would be living a lie if they tried to live as heterosexuals.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 13, 2014
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Well, they're your child. You must love them to want to cope. Just tell yourself that this is what he/she really truly wants.
Profile: serenesunset15
serenesunset15 on Nov 16, 2014
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it is not some thing for you to cope with. sexuality is not something you can choose. you cope with trauma, you cope with tragedies since being the above is none hence there is no need to cope instead be there for your child and support them. it is already tough for them in this narrow minded world.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 16, 2014
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Well, you need to get your mind clear. Talk about the situation, talk with people who experienced the same thing. The important things is, never forget your child in this situation. You're not alone!
Profile: LucyInTheSky
LucyInTheSky on Dec 22, 2014
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The most important thing is to just listen and not judge. Your child is opening up to you and trusting you with something that is really close to their heart and probably really difficult to talk about. The next thing is that parents should learn more and do research, ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions about what this means. Remember they are still your child, the same one you loved before; and that's all that matters.
Profile: Beyond
Beyond on Dec 27, 2014
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That's nothing wrong with that, every person is different. Your child relies on you to be there for him, especially in a situation where people are judgemental and disagree with their preferences, so the most important thing for him now is to have someone to believe in him and tells him that its natural and they shouldn't be ashamed for who they are, despite people's believes.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 29, 2015
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Love them for who they are, not their preferences. Just because your child is gay doesn't mean they are any different than before they came out. Also keep in mind that it took quite a bit of courage for them to come out to you. Support them and love them! They are the same as they have always been!
Profile: LovelyFlower94
LovelyFlower94 on Aug 18, 2015
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It's important that you support your child through this regardless of how you're feeling about it. It is sometimes hard for parents to understand or get their head around these conversations, however you need to makesure you listen to them and reassure them that you're always there for them and always will be. You could try talking to your friends about it if you're finding it difficult to understand, or if you're finding it hard to accept or understand your child's sexuality there are lots of online helpsites and advice sites as well as help books.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 8, 2016
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You accept them for who they are. Let them openly discuss it with you, perhaps they could help you understand. And you support them. Just because they have a different sexuality than you doesn't mean their character is any different. They simply have a different preference when it comes to partners.
Profile: grumpymama
grumpymama on Feb 20, 2016
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I'm not sure I understand the question. How do you cope? What are you coping with? If your child is something other than heterosexual, it is just who they are. Love your child the same as you did yesterday.
Profile: TangledRivers
TangledRivers on Feb 21, 2016
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You don't. It has nothing to do with you and isn't an affliction that requires coping. It should be the same to you as if they say 'I have blonde hair' or 'I'm tall'. It's a part of who they are and that's that. You should accept them and move on.
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