Additional Coverage:
- When my nonbinary teen changed her name, I supported her. But I still accidentally use her birth name, and it can upset her. (newsbreak.com)
When my 11-year-old child came out as nonbinary, they changed their name and pronouns. I immediately accepted it, but on a trip to Germany, I accidentally called them by their old name.
Thankfully, my teen didn’t seem bothered. They had grown more confident in their identity over the years, championing for both themselves and other LGBTQ+ individuals.
However, the trip highlighted a challenge I’d been facing. Despite using my child’s new name consistently, their given name was still imprinted in my mind. I struggled to differentiate between the two, especially when they were both present.
On one occasion, I accidentally called my child by their old name while inviting them to join us for bubble tea. To my relief, they didn’t react negatively.
As a parent, it can be difficult to adjust to a child’s name change. However, it’s important to respect their choice and let go of the name we’ve given them. By doing so, we show them that we love and support them unconditionally, regardless of their name.
In the case of my child, their chosen name, Nico, has become synonymous with their identity. They are comfortable with both names, and I believe that my unwavering support has contributed to their acceptance of their transition.