The Gender Identity Guide for Parents: Compassionate Advice to Help Your Child Be Their Most Authentic Self

by Tavi Hawn

Nurture and celebrate your child's true self with this parent's guide to gender identity

Talking with your child about gender identity can seem overwhelming—but with the right guidance, you can have healthy conversations and create an affirming environment for them as they grow. Whether your child is cisgender, gender expansive, transgender, or still unsure, this guide provides practical advice and strategies to help you embrace them for who they are and support them as they approach puberty.

Create a safe and inclusive space for your child to explore themselves with The Gender Identity Guide for Parents .

Genres: LGBT, Parenting, Nonfiction, Queer, Childrens, Gender

156 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

Tavi Hawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential "entry level" read for anyone (read: everyone) that lives in the real world with real people. It is a purposeful and challenging collection of strategies and information on how to navigate the world of gender and sexual identity, and offers real-world ideas and approaches in helping a loved one, friend, family member, through the pitfalls of societal dysfunction and marginalization.
Affirming and compassionate, it challenges us to re-examine identity and the roles societal norms have created for us and made many of us "comfortable."

[Chels Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more tips to ensure that as a cis woman I’m handling my child’s gender exploration in the most supportive way, but I found it a little basic for what I was hoping for. I can see how this could be a good starting point for someone previously unsupportive or un knowledgeable of the LGBTQIA+ community though.

[kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure- I am not a parent, but I play a large role in raising a younger sibling who is queer. I also identify as queer and view gender as a fluid concept.

Disclosure noted, I think this is a terrific resource for any parent of any knowledge level regarding gender who wishes to cultivate a gender-affirming environment for their loved ones. In a more perfect world, this would be a required text in hopes of fostering basic understandings of gender, but moreover, how to let children take the lead on topics they are still starting to learn themselves!

The only requirement for reading this book is an eagerness to support your child and to learn. The book covers not only foundational understandings of gender identity in a digestible manner, but moreover, how to create a supportive environment and cultivate conversations with one’s child in manners that opens dialogue, supports growth, and addresses erasure of queerness in our everyday spaces. It provides questions to ask (with an entire section on HOW to ask the ‘right questions’).

This book is truly for anyone who wants to cultivate honest conversations with their child and create a safe dynamic to do so, no matter your experience with these topics and/or the extent to which your child is ready to talk about these topics. I think it is also a great book to return to as a refresher and somewhat of a ‘check’ on oneself to ensure they are continuing to support their family/children in an ever shifting and evolving world where, now more than ever, we need to bridge generational gaps that might keep some parents from expanding their more restricted viewpoints on these topics.

[Amy Greensfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great guide for parents looking to learn more about raising children in a gender affirming way. Parents who are new to thinking about gender identity as well as those who come to this topic with some background will walk away with practical knowledge and skills. The author provides resources for further learning, real world scenarios, and questions for reflection. I particularly liked the overall framing around becoming a more curious, patient, and reflective parent— this guide has already impacted my parenting both in terms of how I discuss gender with my 5 year old and other aspects of parenting. This book is helpful for parents whose children encompass a range of identities— including those whose children may identify as trans, nonbinary, or cis. Highly recommend! (I received a copy from the publisher.)

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this plain and simple approach to gender identity for parents. Meeting people where they are, the author lays out the definitions of gender identity and builds from there, in an unassuming and supportive manner through not only gender affirming parenting strategies, but foundational parenting strategies at large. Most importantly underscoring that our approach to this topic, and interest in embracing understanding of our children and everyone around us, as the one of the most important ways we can support not just our children, but all humans.

[Alexa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Tavi’s writing. Such an important topic. Very digestible and the scenarios illustrated each of the topics in a lovely way!

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, quick read that packs a lot of real world info and stories, and practical tips. Really helpful starting point.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer and also just a great general parenting guide. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I'm glad I read it.

[maybepsychology · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️ Poradnik dla rodziców, myśle, ze bardzo przydatny

[Ijon Tichy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nie lubię poradników

[Chet Taranowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A n excellent guidebook for parents with a gender questioning child.

[Kim Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focuses primarily on younger children, was looking for something to help with my teen. However, good information to help a parent get started understanding their child.