Show Notes
If your child has just come out to you — or you sense they might be questioning their gender identity — you may be wondering what to say, what to do, and how to get this right. This episode is here to help.
Dr. Lisa Damour walks parents through one of the most important conversations of adolescence: how to respond when your tween or teen comes out as gay, lesbian, or bi, or expresses a non-traditional gender identity. From what to say in that first moment, to navigating sleepovers, sex, family disclosure, and community attitudes, this episode gives you a clear, compassionate roadmap so you don't have to guess your way through it.
💡 YOU'LL LEARN:
- Why your first response matters so much, and the exact words that protect your relationship and your child's trust
- How to handle the complicated question of whether to tell your other parent or keep your child's confidence
- How to set sleepover and dating boundaries that are fair, consistent, and built on trust, regardless of your child's sexual orientation or gender identity
- What to do if your initial reaction missed the mark (and how to repair it)
- How to support your LGBTQ+ child even if your community isn't fully accepting (and where to find resources to help)
In honor of Pride Month, we're bringing this one back. Every family navigating this deserves guidance they can trust.
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DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS
- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – https://bit.ly/UntangledBook
- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook
- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp
UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP
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Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
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Episode keywords: how to support lgbtq child, my daughter came out as gay, my teen says she is bi, how to support lesbian daughter, parenting lgbtq teens, talking to kids about same sex relationships, lgbtq teen coming out to parents, rules for sleepovers lgbtq, conservative community lgbtq child, is my teen really gay or a phase
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology,
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