Talking to Young Kids — All Articles

Here’s How to Explain Gender Identity and Expression to Kids

How can I teach my kids that a person's appearance does not tell you anything about their gender or pronouns?

Gender, Young Children, Dear MKIG, Expression, Gender, Gender, Pronouns, Talking to Young Kids, TerminologyGrace MangerMarch 15, 2018#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Gender expression, Pronouns

How to Handle Parental Censorship of LGBTQ Books

Our school's librarian included the book "George" in the student book club and was met with a lot of pushback from parents saying it's inappropriate. What can I do as a fellow teacher?

Dear MKIG, Media, Talking to Young Kids, Gender, Students + TeachersGrace MangerJanuary 18, 2018#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, teachers, trans*, transgender

Nervous About a New Years Kiss

My daughter and her girlfriend will be at our New Years Eve party this year, and I'm not so sure about seeing them kiss at midnight. Can I ask her not to?

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Holidays, Partners, Talking to Young Kids, Telling OthersGrace MangerDecember 27, 2017#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Dating, Extended family, Holidays

Getting Your Kids Involved in Activism

The horrors of Trump have made me want to get my kids more involved in activism. But is talking about Trump age-appropriate?

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young KidsGrace MangerOctober 19, 2017#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Activism, Advice, Intersectionality

Talking to Young Kids About LGBTQ People

Talking to young children about LGBTQ people and issues does not have to revolve around sex—here's how.

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young KidsGrace MangerNovember 7, 2016#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay

5 Tips For Talking To Your LGBTQ Child About Sexual Health

Talking to your child about safer sex practices can always be a tough conversation to have, but especially if you have to have the conversation as your child is coming into an LGBTQ identity at the same time. Ellen Kate has five tips to help you through it.

Sex, Young Children, Lists, Safer Sex, Talking to Young KidstheparensprojectJune 1, 2016#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Sex

Explaining the Gender Binary to Young Children

The gender binary is really complicated, but I want my young child to know about non-binary gender identities. How do I explain it in a way they can understand?

Gender, Young Children, Dear MKIG, Gender, Non-Binary, Talking to Young KidstheparensprojectMarch 1, 2016#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, nonbinary

Five Things You Can Do For Your Intersex Child

Intersex activist and scholar Georgiann Davis shares five things parents can do to support their intersex child, including respecting their autonomy of their bodies from day one.

Young Children, Lists, Talking to Young KidstheparensprojectJanuary 21, 2016#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Intersex

Talking to Young Children About Their Bisexual Sister

Polly Kim gives a worried mom some ways to talk to her younger children about their bisexual sister, such as introducing queer topics into books and conversation.

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young Kids, Telling OtherstheparensprojectDecember 4, 2015#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Pansexuality

How Can I Talk to My Child About Consent?

How and when should parents talk to their queer children about consent? The answer: Early and often.

Sex, Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young KidstheparensprojectOctober 8, 2015#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Sex

How Do I Tell My Grandkids that Their Aunt Is Gay?

Emma Tattenbaum-Fine gives advice on explaining to young children that their aunt is getting married to another woman. Long story short: Love doesn't need a grand explanation.

Young Children, Coming Out, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young Kids, Telling OtherstheparensprojectMay 7, 2015#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Coming Out

Handling Offensive Feedback About Your Kid

It can be hard not to worry about what others say or think about our children or the way we are choosing to raise them. Loni Jorgenson offers some advice for avoiding becoming overwhelmed by offensive remarks.

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young Kids, GendertheparensprojectApril 16, 2015#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, nonbinary

Son Bullied for 'Girly' Backpack

Karen Thompson gives advice for supporting a child who is being bullied by the other boys in school because they think his choice of backpack is too feminine.

School + Work, Young Children, Bullying, Dear MKIG, Expression, Talking to Young Kids, GendertheparensprojectAugust 30, 2014

Parent Advice: Talking to Young Children

Mom, Writer, and LGBTQ youth ally Julie Tarney gives advice to a parent concerned about properly addressing issues of sexuality and gender with young children.

Young Children, Dear MKIG, Talking to Young KidstheparensprojectApril 24, 2014#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, teachers