Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning Son or Daughter

Rating:
Summary: Always My Child: A Great Resource
Review: Always My Child is an incredible book and one that any parent should read not just parents of GLBTQ children. Kevin Jennings provides practical advice to parents in a readable format. He helps parents understand their children without being preachy. A parent could use this book as a resource for how to talk with her child and keep lines of communication open. Teachers and school counselors should read this book and make it available to parents and others. Not only is this book a great read, it is a great resource.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide for EVERY parent
Review: Kevin Jennings, Executive Director of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) has co-authored the definitive book on guiding, understanding, and - hopefully - accepting in love your GLBTQ child. It is primarily targeted toward parents struggling to help and deal with their questioning or coming out teenage child.
This book is not specifically about dealing with transgender children, although there are about 30 pages devoted to dealing with issues and problems of Trans teens. It also talks to people of color and includes young peoples' input to parents. Cultural messages of gender and sexuality are discussed and techniques of dealing with these messages are offered for consideration.
Many of the popular myths about homosexuality and transgenderism are analyzed, with facts presented to aid in accepting and understanding. Suggestions are provided for dealing with friends, your teen's friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Signs of trouble are discussed, along with suggestions for helping your teen deal with them.
While the advice is directed toward sexual and gender diversity, the advice applies to dealing with any youth. The principles of dealing with children apply globally.
So what is the secret? The title says it best - "Always My Child." Your child's needs come first, no matter what. Love your child; don't pressure them, but encourage them to discus their feelings, fears, and problems.


Rating:
Summary: An outstanding resource
Review: This amazing guide will help parents navigate the challenges of connecting with a GLBTQ child and becoming an integral and supportive part of that child's life. With chapters on school harassment, drug abuse, and depression, this book also addresses the negative and sometimes self-destructive behaviors of our youth, but gives hope and tools to help heal these wounds. "Always My Child" is especially notable for its chapters on transgender issues and multicultural issues that previous guides didn't include. I was also excited about the chapter on youth questioning their sexuality (straight and gay and in-between), and how parents can be supportive in that as well, because this isn't something many acknowledge. Jennings and Shapiro have created a marvelous resource that will help not only parents, but anyone interested in helping our youth, both queer and nongay, create positive lives.