Nurturing Supportive Families

We know how important it is for students to be supported by both their family and their school. When it comes to SOGI-inclusion, some parents and families may be seeking guidance on how to support their children at home.

Here are three ways you can support parents on their journeys to creating an inclusive environment for students at home.

1. Lead with empathy.

• Understanding and getting used to a child’s identity can take time. Parents may need time to grieve the loss of the child they thought they had or the future they had imagined for their child. Grief can manifest in many forms.

• Parents may truly want to support their child while also being surprised by, and struggling with, their own negative feelings.

• Provide a judgement-free listening environment to validate parents’ journey of understanding and acceptance at their own pace.

2. Focus on the student.

• Establish common goals with parents to work as a team in support of the child’s well-being.

• Encourage parents to be curious, speak honestly, and continue having open conversations with their children.

• Remind parents that youth need and appreciate adults who are willing to listen to and advocate for them.

3. Offer resources.

• There can be a shift in dynamics after a child comes out where youth know more about the topic than the parents. Suggest books, podcasts, videos, or other materials that might help inform parents’ learning about 2SLGBTQ+ stories and histories.

• Share and connect to community resources such as PFLAG or the Parents Page on this website.