So I have a daughter now, that’s what she tells me anyway. I am in awe of how an 8 year old can know so much about who she is, I’m 29 and I still have no idea who I really am. 

I won’t pretend we welcomed this news with open arms, I was scared, scratch that I am scared. Robin is beautiful and brave but I’m not sure the world is ready for children like Robin yet. Gender is a construct in society but the majority of people associate with the gender they are born and act and dress accordingly. I have met with children younger and older than Robin who don’t conform to the gender expectations and I can say they all looked happy and healthy and well adjusted, so why is stepping outside of your birth gender so difficult? So what if they want to dress like an opposite gender, so what if they may change their minds later on. Are they hurting anyone? Are they? 

I feel like every time I leave the house with Robin I’m on high alert waiting for someone to stare or say something, they don’t, most people assume Robin is a girl and don’t think twice about it. So why am I poised constantly ready to fight her corner and so worried about what other people will think. 

So I’m going to take a different approach, focus on what’s important. As long as my children are happy and safe that is what I will focus on. I will try to stem the tide of fear that overwhelms me at times and love and let live. Because honestly there are worse things that could happen.