Child expresses desire for gender transition
In Bergisch Gladbach, a five-year-old child named Sammy, born as Samuel, is making waves in the community as she identifies as a girl. Sammy's parents, Nina and [unspecified father's name], have been instrumental in creating an affirming and inclusive environment for their child, a crucial step in supporting transgender children.
From an early age, Sammy, who prefers to wear dresses and play with girls, has shown signs of gender diversity. Her parents, in seeking guidance, consulted a child psychologist in Bonn who specializes in children and adolescents who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. The psychologist, along with Rubicon, a child psychologist and an association providing guidance on gender and sexual diversity and self-determination, advised the family to take Sammy's wishes seriously and allow the issue to run its course for now.
Sammy's parents also applied to the registry office in Bergisch Gladbach to change Samuel's gender entry and first name, resulting in Samuel becoming Sammy. The process took three months to be completed. During this time, kindergarten educators informed the children and parents that Samuel is now Sammy and feels like a girl.
The family's approach to supporting Sammy extends beyond home, as they provide age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive toys, books, and media, and surround Sammy with supportive and LGBTQ-affirming people. They also communicate proactively with schools about Sammy's identity and rights, ensuring policies and practices respect and protect her identity.
The family's journey, however, was not without challenges. Sammy's eight-year-old brother initially found it difficult to accept Sammy as his sister, but has since accepted her. Parents and relatives may go through a process of mourning when their child transitions, but the family and kindergarten handled the situation calmly and accepted Sammy's desire to be called Sammy and to wear dresses.
Nina, Sammy's mother, could not find any counseling centers in Bergisch Gladbach that specialize in transgender issues in children. She reached out to Rubicon e.V. in Cologne for guidance. Rubicon offers a group for transgender children and adolescents under 14 years old, as well as a group for their parents, providing a supportive network for families navigating similar journeys.
The decision to make Sammy's transgender status public depends on the child's wish. For Sammy, being true to herself is important, and she loves to wear dresses and run barefoot through the grass, living her life as the girl she always knew she was.
By creating affirming, inclusive environments both at home and in collaboration with schools, parents and families play a vital role in supporting transgender children in kindergarten and primary school. This approach helps transgender children develop confidence and resilience during their early education years.
- In light of their daughter Sammy's unique lifestyle and identity, the family also focused on incorporating fashion-and-beauty items that align with her girlish preferences.
- As Sammy's growth and development continued, her parents prioritized education-and-self-development opportunities that foster understanding and acceptance of different family-dynamics and relationships, particularly those related to gender identity.
- In navigating the challenges of supporting Sammy, the family sought to promote personal-growth for everyone involved, striving for open communication and mutual understanding, ultimately strengthening the bonds within their family.
