{"id":25628,"date":"2019-05-03T14:56:56","date_gmt":"2019-05-03T20:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affirmation.org\/?page_id=25628"},"modified":"2019-09-13T09:55:07","modified_gmt":"2019-09-13T15:55:07","slug":"how-can-i-protect-my-child","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/affirmation.org\/es\/tu\/padres-2\/como-puedo-proteger-a-mi-hijo\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfC\u00f3mo puedo proteger a mi hijo?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keeping Your Child Healthy and Happy<\/h2>\n

Before you read anything else, you need to know about the real dangers gay teens\/young adults face, including suicide, drug use, and diseases. You also need to understand how you can help protect your child from these serious risks.<\/p>\n

Excellent research has identified the factors that lead to these dangerous behaviors (see the Resources below). The research also clearly shows that your attitudes and behaviors can effectively reduce all of these risks for your child.<\/p>\n

The fact that YOU can protect your child is a serious responsibility. But all the tools you need are found within our Mormon beliefs. If you look at nothing else on this website, please review the information and suggestions in the first two resources listed below.<\/p>\n

Your gay son or daughter has likely been trying to understand his\/her feelings for a long time before you found out about them. And your child has probably been hearing negative comments about \u201cthose gay people\u201d at school, at church, and maybe even in your home. Those comments, even if unknowing or unintentional, have probably already hurt your child. So now that you know more about your child, slow down. Don\u2019t let your immediate reactions interfere with doing what is best for your child. Be supportive. Be patient. Listen. Most importantly, show love. You won\u2019t have all the answers right away, but you can put your emotions aside and you can reassure your child that he or she will always be loved in your family.<\/p>\n

From Bryce and Sara Cook, LDS parents of two gay sons from Mesa, Arizona:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFinding out that your child is gay can be extremely difficult. We know because we have two sons who are gay. They are both returned missionaries and BYU grads (or soon to be in the case of one) \u2013 and we love them dearly.<\/p>\n

As we have gotten to know and become friends with many gay men and women over the last year or so, we have seen that the gay people who have loving, supportive families are so much happier and more well-adjusted than those whose family members are unkind, judgmental or refuse to acknowledge the gay person\u2019s feelings. Those whose families are able to talk about it without embarrassment or judgment and let them know that they love them unconditionally, and whose families support and trust them, have a much better outlook on life and in fact find it easier to feel comfortable in the Church and to abide by gospel principles. Those families who are openly uncomfortable, judgmental or dismissive of the gay family member tend to make them feel worthless, conflicted and hopeless. They begin to have the feeling of \u2018what\u2019s the use, I\u2019m an awful person, I might as well do whatever because that\u2019s what people expect.\u2019 These feelings can lead to all sorts of unhealthy, risky behaviors \u2013 and even suicide.<\/p>\n

We are grateful to be able to suggest this website to other parents who are trying to do their best for their LGBT child. How we wish something like this existed a few years ago when our oldest son told us he was gay and we were starting from scratch trying to find education, resources and support. This site has all the basic information an LDS parent needs as he or she begins the journey of learning how to love and support their gay child. We worked with the people who developed this website and contributed some of the content, and we think the information here represents an excellent selection of informed resources that you can use to get started as you learn how to help your LGBT child and hold your family together.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Communicate Acceptance to Your Child<\/h2>\n