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Your child tells you something that changes everything, and your first reaction might surprise you. Heather Hester joins us to talk about what it actually feels like when a teen comes out, especially when that moment collides with bullying, mental health struggles, substance use, and the terrifying job of keeping your kid safe while trying to keep your family standing.

Heather shares how her family moved from confusion and isolation to real support by facing bias head-on and refusing to let shame drive the conversation. We dig into the hidden layers many parents don’t expect: grieving the future you assumed, learning to repair after you misspeak, and understanding why it’s not your child’s job to educate you. We also talk about therapy as a lifeline for parents and siblings, and why doing your own work makes it easier to show up with steadiness when your child is overwhelmed.

We get practical about the stuff you might be Googling at 2 a.m.: how to decide who gets told, how to protect your child’s privacy with extended family, how to handle the attention imbalance between siblings, and what it can look like years later when your child finds their people and you can finally exhale. 

If you’re looking for parenting support, LGBTQ family resources, and a clear path toward more honest connection, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find this kind of help.

Please be sure to checkout our website for previous episodes, our psych-approved resource page, and connect with us on social media! All this and more at www.thelylaspodcast.com