Let me introduce you to Jackie. Jackie is in first grade now, and has been Jackie for three years. Before that she was Jack, and he was miserable. Since realizing that she didn't have to be a boy, and wearing whatever the fuck she wants (tending towards girl-ish, but really, whatever) and wearing her hair long, she has been the most energetic, enthusiastic, and dare I say happy kid on the playground. As of the end of December, she even has a US passport in her name and gender.
Yes, she's 6 now, so that means she started this when she was a little bit older than the child in the letter, but not much. Let me introduce you to a large number of trans folk, many of whom knew who the were at very early ages, despite massive efforts by their family to deny it. Rather than be fighting this kid's desires - which may be a phase, or may be an expression of what she truly feels - try celebrating the child and encouraging them to be whomever they want to be. Isn't that one of the joys of having kids these days?
Other than that, pretty much what everyone else has said.
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Yes, she's 6 now, so that means she started this when she was a little bit older than the child in the letter, but not much. Let me introduce you to a large number of trans folk, many of whom knew who the were at very early ages, despite massive efforts by their family to deny it. Rather than be fighting this kid's desires - which may be a phase, or may be an expression of what she truly feels - try celebrating the child and encouraging them to be whomever they want to be. Isn't that one of the joys of having kids these days?
Other than that, pretty much what everyone else has said.