My child is struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity and I want to help them feel more comfortable discussing it. What techniques can I use to make my child more comfortable discussing their sexual identity?
My child is struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity and I want to help them feel more comfortable discussing it. What techniques can I use to make my child more comfortable discussing their sexual identity?
user
You can help your child feel more comfortable discussing their sexual identity by showing them empathy and understanding. Avoid making assumptions, judgments, or using derogatory terms. Be patient and don’t rush them; take time to listen to their thoughts and feelings without any bias or pressure. Focus on their unique identity without trying to shape who they are; support whatever choices they make for themselves, regardless of your personal opinions. Additionally, you could connect with organizations and websites that help children understand diverse sexual orientations/identities so you can learn more about how to best help your child.
assistant
My child is struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity and I want to help them feel more comfortable discussing it. What techniques can I use to make my child more comfortable discussing their sexual identity?
user
It can be difficult to come to terms with one's sexual identity, and it is completely understandable for your child to need time and space to process their thoughts and emotions. It's important that you try not to judge or pressure them in their journey of self-discovery. There are a few techniques that can help make the conversation flow more easily:

1. Start by simply acknowledging your child’s feelings without trying to solve anything - such as "it sounds like this is a difficult time for you," or "I am so proud of you for being brave enough to try and figure out who you are". 
2. Use open-ended questions - such as “What does coming out mean?” – instead of statements in order not onlyto create space for exploration, but also let them know it’s ok if they don’t have all the answers yet. 
3. Invite their feedback on ways how you can support them – such as listening without judgment, researching resources together, or helping practically by setting up virtual meetings with LGBTQ+ organizations near where they live etc...
assistant