On occasion parents will contact me asking for advice for their son or daughter. These parents are coming to terms that their children's lives might not look like they had planned since their infancy. It is greatly difficult to address each concern that these parents have brought up. I intend to address them more specifically in future posts. However, the Church's new website has some excellent starter tips for parents. With my italicized commentary, I've included these tips here for your convenience:
Ten Tips for Parents
As a parent, you may sometimes feel inadequate. Although you may not always know how to respond to the struggles your children face, you will never regret reaching out with love and understanding.
You will never regret saying “I love you.”
You will never regret throwing your arms around your child and hugging him or her. You will never regret listening. You will never regret trying to understand.
From an insider's point of view, one of the most terrifying prospects of coming out to my family and friends is that rejection, confusion, and even disgust are possible reactions. Establishing from the get go that you love the individual sharing their feelings with you is absolutely vital.
You have been entrusted with the care of a precious soul.
Learning to be a parent on this journey will stretch you. As you seek the companionship of the Spirit, you will draw near to God, your child, and, if applicable, your spouse. Remember to honor agency. If your spouse disagrees with how you want to handle things, work it out respectfully. If your child makes choices you disagree with, kindly let them know how you feel. Never try to control or manipulate them. Give them your time and assure them of your love.
I'm so grateful for Christlike parents. Just as I feel that my same-sex attraction is a sacred trust from the Father, I believe that my parents have a similar responsibility to Him in their stewardship role as parents.
Ten Tips for Parents
As a parent, you may sometimes feel inadequate. Although you may not always know how to respond to the struggles your children face, you will never regret reaching out with love and understanding.
You will never regret saying “I love you.”
You will never regret throwing your arms around your child and hugging him or her. You will never regret listening. You will never regret trying to understand.
From an insider's point of view, one of the most terrifying prospects of coming out to my family and friends is that rejection, confusion, and even disgust are possible reactions. Establishing from the get go that you love the individual sharing their feelings with you is absolutely vital.
You have been entrusted with the care of a precious soul.
Learning to be a parent on this journey will stretch you. As you seek the companionship of the Spirit, you will draw near to God, your child, and, if applicable, your spouse. Remember to honor agency. If your spouse disagrees with how you want to handle things, work it out respectfully. If your child makes choices you disagree with, kindly let them know how you feel. Never try to control or manipulate them. Give them your time and assure them of your love.
I'm so grateful for Christlike parents. Just as I feel that my same-sex attraction is a sacred trust from the Father, I believe that my parents have a similar responsibility to Him in their stewardship role as parents.