<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Better Relationships &#187; LGBTQ</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.better-relationships.com/tag/lgbtq/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.better-relationships.com</link>
	<description>Marriage &#38; Couples Counseling, Psychotherapy, Premarital Counseling</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Mar 2023 23:20:05 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.18</generator>
	<item>
		<title>When Your Teen Tells You They’re Gay: Tips on Responding</title>
		<link>https://www.better-relationships.com/when-your-teen-tells-you-theyre-gay-tips-on-responding/</link>
		<comments>https://www.better-relationships.com/when-your-teen-tells-you-theyre-gay-tips-on-responding/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2018 01:50:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Swaniger]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[COMMUNICATION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COUPLES THERAPY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LGBTQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MARRIAGE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SEX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[THERAPY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WOMEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting a gay teen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[your teen's coming out]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.better-relationships.com/?p=4163</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For many LGBTQ youths, the act of “coming out” to their parents that they are gay is nerve-racking. They may have already told some friends, but coming out to you, their parents, is a whole other matter. Worries about being accepted or loved by you afterwards will probably be on their minds. They may be nervous, anxious, even scared to tell you something that they have kept hidden—perhaps for years. You may very well have a wide range of emotions during these discussions. For obvious reasons, this won’t be an easy conversation for either of you. How you respond to your teen’s revelation is critical. Here are several tips to help you respond sensibly. Listen One of the key things that you can do as a parent is to listen to your teen. This means really listening, as this may well be one of the most important conversations that you will ever have together. Keep in mind that most likely your teen has been working up the courage to have this conversation with you for a while. Give them the space to be heard and get everything off their chest. Some ideas for how to do this include: If you can’t talk when they approach you, negotiate and commit to another time. Remember what you need when you want to be heard. You teen now needs this from you. Stay focused on your teen. Stop what you’re doing; eliminate distractions such as cell phones or the TV. Move to someplace quiet where you won’t be interrupted. Refrain from jumping in or interrupting. Ask them to repeat anything that you don’t understand. As they talk, remember to breathe. Respond Appropriately Your respect for your teen will be vital. If you already suspected or have known that your teen is gay, don’t stop the conversation because of this. Act as if you don’t know. If your teen’s request to talk with you comes as a surprise, it’s important that you don’t overreact. Respond in your normal tone of voice and stay in control of your emotions. If you struggle with what they [&#8230;]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://www.better-relationships.com/when-your-teen-tells-you-theyre-gay-tips-on-responding/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
