Transgender playmate poses a challenge
DEAR ABBY » My 7-year-old granddaughter, “Leyla,” has a playmate who is a transgender girl. My fear is that she may find out the truth and feel betrayed by her playmate as well as me. Should I explain it to her?
It doesn’t matter to me that her friend is transgender because I have always believed that a person’s most important trait is having good morals. I’m an upfront and honest person. However, with respect to this subject, I feel that if I remain silent, it’s as though I’m somehow betraying my granddaughter.
Leyla is very accepting of all people, and I don’t believe it would change her relationship with the child as long as I explain everything to her about people who are trans. Any advice would be appreciated.
— Progressive Gran in Arizona
DEAR GRAN » Do Leyla’s parents know about the friendship? Assuming they do, have a chat with them, as well as the playmate’s parents, to make sure you’re all on the same page. I do not think you should “out” Leyla’s playmate to her. But I DO think it is time you start talking to your granddaughter about gender and what makes a girl a girl and what makes a boy a boy.
At some point, her friend may feel comfortable enough about the friendship — and herself — to tell Leyla herself. When that happens, be prepared to answer any questions your granddaughter may have. PFLAG, an organization I have mentioned before in my column, is an excellent resource for LGBTQ issues and will be helpful to you if you reach out. Its website is pflag.org.
DEAR ABBY » My worst fear has come true. My daughter just became engaged to someone we do not approve of. They have been together for three years, and it has been three years of drama — from not working because they have to be together 24/7 to domestic violence. Must I attend the wedding? Should I help her plan it? She is my first born and I adore her, but
I feel she is making a huge mistake. — Reluctant in Ohio
DEAR RELUCTANT » I am going to assume that you have expressed your feelings and concerns to your daughter. If that’s the case, then you must accept that she is an adult and capable of making her own decisions.
Should you help plan the wedding? Yes, as long as you are not paying for it. Should you attend even though you don’t approve of her choice of husband? Absolutely! If he’s a violent abuser, she is going to need family around her so she doesn’t become isolated and totally under his control. Her life could depend on it.