Helping my child whilst waiting for input

Many young people that we see are unhappy with having to wait – this might be waiting for appointments with services, waiting for other people to adjust or talk with them about gender, or waiting for a physical intervention.  Young people seem to struggle most when they feel that there is nothing that they can do but wait.  Sometimes, however, there are things that could be done, such as joining a local LGBT group, trying out different ways of expressing their gender, or for some changing a name by deed poll.  We would encourage you to think with your young person about whether there is anything they can actively do now.  When there is nothing practical to be done, remember that listening, encouraging and empathising with them is equally as important in helping them to feel supported and resilient.