When we’re looking at any life transition, we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Even when that change is good, transitions are hard. We’re bound to have missteps and hard moments in the messy middles that most of us work really hard to avoid because of how uncomfortable they are.

But there are some times, like when your child comes out and wants to transition, that those moments become unavoidable.

Navigating anything that goes against social norms is never simple.

It might mean having to have hard conversations and make hard choices around extended family. It means having to fight for your child in school. It means rumbling with all kinds of emotional baggage most of us didn’t even know we were carrying.

It might even mean a change of faith.

There’s nothing simple about the massive ripple effect that your child’s gender transition has on your life.

Today we’re going to be talking to Mama Bear Kristen. Kristen is the mother of two kids, and she and her family live in a rural community where they own a farm. Kristen’s sons are both teenagers.

Check out the full episode to hear about:

• How his childhood stereotypically feminine presentation made Alex’s coming out more of a shock to Kristen
• The challenges they faced with his name and pronouns with grandparents
• How they grappled with their church’s response the Alex’s coming out and finding a new spiritual community
• How Kristen came to terms with Alex’s desire for medical transition and hormones

Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

• Wildheartsociety.org
• wildheartsociety.org/downloads
• Wild Heart Society on Facebook
• Wild Heart Society on Instagram