Supporting Your Child as They Discover Their Gender

Gender is an important part of your child’s development and overall identity. In this episode, our hosts come together with Carrie & Wayne from TransParent Okanagan and Kendall, a Social Worker from BC Children’s Hospital to share with parents & caregivers of younger kids:

  • a starting place to learn about concepts and terms related to gender 
  • tips on how to talk about gender identity with your child, their siblings and extended family 
  • approaches that can help you to support your child as they discover their gender and express it in ways that feel right to them

 

Episode Transcript

 

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Website: TransCare BC Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Website: TransParent Okanagan

Book: The Transgender Child

Book: Red: A Crayon’s Story

Peer Support for Families at the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Guest bios
Carrie and Wayne
PARENTS

Carrie and Wayne are the parents of two wonderful kids and the founders of TransParent Okanagan Support and Education Society, a registered non-profit society that provides peer support, education and advocacy for parents and caregivers of two-spirit, transgender and gender creative kids in the Okanagan.

Kendall McSweeney
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

Kendall McSweeney is a Registered Social Worker at BC Children’s Hospital gender clinic. She also works with autistic youth and young adults through the Canucks Autism Network. She loves getting to work with folks as they learn to let their true selves shine in the world.

Where You Are | S5 E3 | May 8, 2024

Supporting Your Child as They Discover Their Gender

In this episode, our hosts come together with Carrie & Wayne from TransParent Okanagan and Kendall, a Registered Social Worker from BC Children’s Hospital to share tips and gender-affirming approaches with parents & caregivers of younger kids.
Where You Are | S5 E2 | April 19, 2024

Taking Care of Yourself: Parent & Caregiver Well-being

As parents and caregivers, it can be easy to continuously push taking care of ourselves to the bottom of our list. But, when we prioritize our mental health and wellness, it also has a positive ripple effect on those around us. How can parents and caregivers take care of ourselves amidst full schedules and busy days?
Where You Are | S5 E1 | April 10, 2024

Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges in Kids

In today’s episode, our hosts chat with Tammie, a parent who shares her personal story of supporting her child with sensory processing challenges, and Courtney Hall, BCCH Occupational Therapist.
Where You Are Podcast

Through real stories, expertise, and practical tips, this podcast helps families promote their mental health and wellness, navigating important topics to meet you where you are in your journey.

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Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

BC Children's Hospital 
Healthy Minds Centre, Building #85, Room P3-302, 3rd floor,
4555 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Local Phone: 604 875 2084
Toll-Free: 1 800 665 1822
keltycentre@cw.bc.ca

The BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is located on the unceded, traditional and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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Call 911 or go to your local hospital’s emergency room if you or anyone else’s safety is at risk and immediate help is needed.

If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their own life, or needs someone to talk to about suicidal thoughts or ideas:

  • Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for the BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line. Available in over 140 languages using a language service.
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