TPT#38 - It Gets Better

Parenting is often something of a roller-coaster. And special needs kids may sometimes seem to make things worse, but they really just make the highs and lows more extreme. So after a bit of discussion about our amusingly underplanned thanksgiving prep, we wrapped up some of the loose ends of stories and topics related to kids that are turning out pretty well.

TPT#37 - Social Stuffs

Back when we were growing up, the only safe social space was with the other queers. Now that we're "socially acceptable", we've found other friends that share our values and priorities but don't share the queer experience. Parenting makes social time hard, especially when much of the queer community choose not to raise children, and "just don't get it".

TPT#36 - Dysfunction Junction

We like things that are functional. George's aunt has come to live near us, so we can care for her and she can care for our kids... and for George's ex-wife. And the awkwardness is totally overshadowed by the functionality of it all.

TPT#35 - Six Months and Naughty Kid

So we started out with intent to make a "Six Months on T" update, but we got distracted talking about Child #1's recent arrest.

If you missed the link to the SAGE test in our social media last week, it can be found at http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/sage/.

TPT#34 - That Gender Stuff

Jess has always felt rather ambivalent to the concept of gender, but recent changes in George's behaviour and affect have made her realize just how she really is less ambivalent and more oblivious. Close friends and partners of trans* persons have occasionally recognized the social and emotional changes caused by hormone treatment, and remarked "Oh, that's why women/men do that!", validating stereotypes. But when her natural inclinations are all over the gender spectrum and she doesn't even realize the genderedness of her own actions, what's a princess-man to do?

TPT#33 - Oh, For Gender's Sake!

George has been changing. That was kinda the idea of this whole adventure. The word "transition" indicates change. This week, we discuss how the changes in his world, both internally and externally, relate to gender both as a biological concept and as a social construct.

Information on finding a kinesiologist in your area can is online at icak.com.

TPT#32 - Bad Humour and NewOld Endo

When you need to cope with difficult circumstances, it's useful to be able to laugh about them. Raising special needs kids is often frustrating and exhausting, and we occasionally make jokes that would, out of context, be absolutely horrifying. George felt that it would be best to clarify that when we say awful evil horrible things about our children, we don't really mean it, we're just making one another laugh.

We segue (badly) from there into discussing the endocrinologist that George was referred to. Which happens to be the same one he had the hassles with back in the spring, 'round abouts episodes 4 to 10. Thankfully, this time around they seem much more supportive.

TPT#31 - STP'ing

Now that the question of which bathroom to use is fairly settled for George, he's started researching various Stand-To-Pee devices. Links to the two he's used are in the post below. After discussing the specific items he's begun familiarizing himself with, we delved deeper into the topic of gender dysphoria, and George is very thankful that while he would very much appreciate the experience of having genitalia that matched his gender, he does not feel the need to utilize prostheses to assist in managing the discongruity.

STP'ing Links

As discussed in today's episode, #31 "STP'ing", the two items George has made use of so far:

All you buy for this one is a 1/2 gallon juice or milk carton. Not good-looking, but it works!
- Homemade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLiaVVihEn4

This one looks natural-ish, and works okay.
- Made by #1 Laboratory: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NumberOneLaboratory
- As purchased from Good Vibrations: http://www.goodvibes.com/display_product.jhtml?id=17AJ04

TPT#30 - Back To Work

Returning to work after three weeks of leave can be daunting, but the results of surgery and changes from five months on testosterone have probably affected that process, and George's colleagues have been, on the whole, supportive and encouraging. Meanwhile, the kids are still extra-special, and Jess is slightly peeved that George made her put clothes on but is otherwise content.