A little confused

[Guest Sarah_R]

(Hope I posted in correct forum...)

Hi, my name is mark and I am 16 years old. I have always known I was different than other boys my age, ever since I was around 4 or 5. I was always more interested in more feminine things. I was into dresses and dolls but the first time I got caught playing with my sisters dolls my father put a stop to it and he said that it was not right. I struggled with these feeling for a long time and when I was 8 years old, my father passed away from a heart attack. It was very hard for me to deal with and I spiraled into depression for a long time after that. I struggled with going to school, doing homework or even getting out of bed. When I did have the courage to go to school and face the world I was made fun of because of my weight. I have always struggled with weight and it is a big problem for me even now. I was always the target of bullying at my school. I always hid the feeling of my true self away from everyone in fear that I might be ridiculed even further. I was lucky enough to change to a alternative high school where there is only a few students and everyone is really friendly to each other. I also got accepted into a vocational program for programming which I am excited to start in the fall. I have been trying to tell my therapist about my feelings for a long time and for the first time I told him. He was extremely exited to find out what I was really dealing with and was happy that I told him about this, he said he has experience with people going through similar feeling and he suggested I look more into the community and gave me many resources to help me out. I was searching on the internet when I found this forum so here I am. Sorry for the long post but I really wanted to just say something.

[MaryEllen]

Hello Sarah/Mark,

Welcome to Laura's Playground. Thank you for sharing with us.

MaryEllen

[Guest Dillinger]

Hi Sarah, welcome to the club. Hope you find everything you are looking for here. There are quite a bit of teens here with stories similar to your own from what I've seen, so you don't have to feel alone. You came to a good place. And don't worry about being a little confused as we are all a little confused more often than not. If you have any questions or need some encouragement don't hesitate to post. Everyone here has been very helpful when I've needed it.

[Guest Alexis25]

Ok, 4th time re writing this, because i don't know what to write, I am 16 years old like you and i want to be a female, and the last few weeks i have had major depression because of this. Also your name isn't Mark anymore, here you will be Sarah the girl who was trying to break out of the male body it was trapped in!

I am sorry i spent like 20-30 minutes writing this and rewriting i had a lot more written, but since your new and don't know me yet these few lines will make sense for now, I think.....

[Guest Alexis25]

Ahhh i wanted to add, i was also confused when i joined this website, but my feelings and the people who are here helped guide my through and i found out i was actually a female trapped in a mans body lol >.>

[Guest Berry Picker]

Welcome! I have to tell you that I understand your weight issues, I have been through a lot of what you describe. Although I am one of the more lucky ones. Sadly I cannot say that I have conquered my weight issues. Please feel free to chat with me whenever with me, especially dealing with the extra burden that weight adds to your gender issues. I hope you can explore your gender, and discover yourself whether you are transgender or not.

-Love,

Nicki

[Guest Sarah_R]

Thank you all for the awesome reply's. I have shared these feeling with my mother and she was very accepting but we have not talked about it further and nothing has really been different since I told her. Is this normal? Is she trying to avoid what I told her? I would love to hear some input on this and thanks again for all of the great welcomes.

[Guest]

Welcome to LP Sara_R.

Thank you for your introduction.

There is a lot of information and a lot of friendly people here.

You're very fortunate to have a mother who is accepting of you.

Remember that this is all new to her so it may take a while for her to understand you.

I hope you find what you seek here.

I wish you peace and success on your journey.

Huggs,

Joann

[Charlize]

Sarah, welcome to Laura's. I'm glad you found us. This site really helped me to open up and confront my gender issues. You are not alone and reaching out in a safe environment really helps. We are here for each other and that is quite unusual in my experience. Enjoy! It often takes our loved ones time to come around and realize that we are being really honest about ourselves. Give her time. It takes us time to get comfortable with our issues and they have the same need for growth over time. Please don't pressure yourself or feel pressure from outside. This is your journey and the path you take will be unique. No right way just your way.

Please take a moment to read the terms and conditions found at the bottom of any page and enjoy.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest miss kindheart]

Hi Sarah,
<<< hug >>>
Welcome to Laura's Playground.
Please feel free to come over and chat sometime.
The Chat room does require another registration that is separate from from your forums one.
Please read the chat room rules before coming in, and expect a short interview with one of the chat room moderators.
One of the things that they will ask you is if you read the rules.
We all look forward to seeing you.
vanna

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to Laura's Playground.

The Staff and Members here are very helpful and friendly.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

We all started to Come-Out at different times.

It took me over 40 years to finally Come-Out and Accept myself.

I also had a weight problem but was able to loose 90 lbs.

I am glad that things are going well at school.

I am very glad that you mom is accepting, and I am including some links that I feel may be helpful to both you and your Mom.

Words of encouragement for you and your Mom. "You are not Alone"

(For your Mom)

PFLAG ( Welcoming our Trans Family and Friends) http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=594

PFLAG (Our Trans Children)

http://plus.url.google.com/url?q=http://www.pflag.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/OTC_5thedition.pdf&ei=xuf2UZOJE5iu4AOi7oGACw&sa=X&oi=unauthorizedredirect&ct=targetlink&ust=1375137486313873&usg=AFQjCNFKkkvebG8leb-QB9yr6oFJ1_j9iw

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Accepting your TS Child http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/TSChild.html

(For You)

Come to terms with being trans as a teen http://www.wikihow.com/Come-to-Terms-with-Being-Transgender-As-a-Teen

How to come out as transgender http://www.wikihow.com/Come-out-As-Transgender

How to be a Popular transgendered Person in High School http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Popular-Transgendered-Person-in-High-School

If you are happy with the information you receive at Laura’s Playground, tell your friends.

If you are unhappy with anything at Laura’s Playground, tell us so that we can improve it.

We all Support, Care for, and Love You and want to see you Happy, Healthy and Transition Safely.

Hugs,

Carla