In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Dr. Cam sits down with Heather Hester, founder of Chrysalis Mama and host of the "Just Breathe" podcast, to discuss the journey of parenting an LGBTQ+ teen. Heather shares her personal experience with her son Connor’s coming out at 16 and how it inspired her mission to support parents of LGBTQ+ teens. In this conversation, Heather offers valuable advice on how to navigate your emotions, avoid common pitfalls, and create a safe, inclusive space for your teen.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Why your LGBTQ+ teen is often already sure of their identity when they come out—and what that means for you as a parent.
- The #1 question you should never ask your LGBTQ+ teen (and what to ask instead).
- How to support your LGBTQ+ teen through their coming out journey without unintentionally causing harm.
- Why your teen’s social media activity isn’t “influencing” their identity, but rather helping them find community and support.
- The importance of processing your own emotions with trusted friends or professionals, rather than relying on your teen for emotional support.
Top 5 Takeaways for Parents of Teens
- The most important thing parents can do is provide unconditional love and support, making home a safe space for their LGBTQ+ teen.
- Parents should process their own emotions and questions with professionals or trusted friends, not with their child.
- Social media isn't "influencing" teens to be LGBTQ+; it's helping them find community and understand themselves better.
- When you make mistakes (like using wrong pronouns), acknowledge them simply and move on without making a big deal about it.
- Focus on who your child is as a whole person rather than fixating on their LGBTQ+ identity
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Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Podcast: Just Breathe, Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen (available on all podcast platforms)
- PFLAG: https://pflag.org/
- Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
- GLAAD: https://glaad.org/
Connect with the Guest: Heather Hester:
- Website: https://chrysalismama.com
- Instagram: @chrysalismama
- TikTok: @chrysalismama
Connect with the host: Dr. Cam Caswell
- Website: AskDrCam.com
- Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
- TikTok: @the.teen.translator
- YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
- Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
About the Show:
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together. #theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam
Chapters
00:00 Navigating the Challenges of Raising LGBTQ+ Teens 02:59 The Journey of Acceptance and Support 05:58 Understanding the Coming Out Process 09:05 The Importance of Unconditional Love 12:02 Addressing Parental Concerns and Misconceptions 15:03 The Role of Social Media in Identity Formation 17:51 Creating a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Teens 21:03 The Path to Resilience and Acceptance 22:54 The Importance of Self-Education 25:04 Navigating Identity and Relationships 28:50 Understanding Loss and Expectations 30:32 Fluidity in Identity 33:14 Challenging Social Norms 36:01 Embracing Authenticity 39:12 Letting Go of Control 42:17 Supporting Resilience
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