Young kids with LGBTQ parents usually see their own family as the norm until they meet other children. But instead of letting them discover by themselves the uniqueness of your family dynamics, you need to take this head-on before it becomes an issue. You must communicate with your kid about the LGBTQ community.
Ways to Find Love Being a Part of the LGBTQ Community
Remember when you were single and on the lookout for love? Which one did you find easier: approaching other people in bars or joining lesbian chats online? Most LGBTQ singles prefer to do the latter. Going on a dating site to meet new people doesn’t require you to block off several hours in your calendar. Whenever you have free time, like on your breaks from work or during your commute, you can just log in, browse profiles, and message people you like. This usually takes a few minutes out of your day unless, of course, you encounter someone you’ve been hitting it off with. Even then, you can reply to their messages whenever you are able.
You can even keep your identity and activities private. In bars, unless you’re in an establishment catering exclusively to the LGBTQ community, you run the risk of outing yourself to a straight person. But online, you only have to disclose personal details that you’re comfortable sharing. And if you’re a single mom, for example, you don’t have to worry about your child accidentally finding out about your dating life.
And then, when you’re already dating your perfect woman over a long period of time, there comes a moment when you must tell your child about you being a lesbian and your relationship with another woman. But how do you do it without shocking them? And how on earth do you explain what being a lesbian means? Special children’s literature comes to the rescue.
Top 3 Children’s Books That Shine a Light on the LGBTQ
Here are some of the books that can help you with this big talk.
- Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Perfect for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years old, Love Makes a Family is a great first book to read to your child. It shows that no matter what your family looks like, whether there are two mommies or two daddies, love is the only thing that makes a family.
- Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
Worm Loves Worm illustrates relationships in their bare essence. What really matters is that two people (or worms!) are in love. In this story, two worms who are getting married address their friends’ questions like who’s wearing the dress? If your child is aged 3 to 5 years old, this book will answer a lot of the questions they might have about LGBTQ relationships.
- The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison
If you adopted a kid aged 8 to 10 years old, they will love The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher. This story features a modern family: two gay dads, four adopted brothers, and a lot of pets. Just like Love Makes a Family, this book perfectly showcases diverse family dynamics.
Introduce LBTQ Love to Your Child with the Help of Books
Talking to your son or daughter about your LGBTQ identity and your romantic relationship could feel like you’re coming out again. But remember: your child loves you, and as long as you take care of them well and that you love them no matter what, they’ll support you.
Of course, good parenting doesn’t stop with the LGBTQ discussion. As they grow older, you’ll also need to talk to them about other serious topics like staying safe online to find true love like you once did.
