Woof... Where to start?? Backstory: I'm a 39 year old transwoman who hasn't come out to my wife as trans* but has been out as bi to her since before we even started dating (~2000). We have two great kids (13 yo boy and 11 yo girl). Our relationship has been strained by Marine Corps combat deployments, PTSD, and some infidelity on my part. The infidelity was huge to my wife, but she preferred to see it as a symptom of PTSD rather than an expression of my sexuality. Regardless, a marriage other than something that closely resembles heteronormativity is likely out of the question. So, our marriage will be strained at best and down in flames at worst once I kick down the closet door for the second time. I'm in therapy now and will be suggesting couples therapy for us in the relatively near future. So, moving on to the issue at hand, I'm struggling with how to address with her (eventually) my upcoming changes as I begin to transition and, specifically, my role with the kids, whom I cherish. I've heard others become "Auntie" but that seems too distant, Mom definitely doesn't feel right because I'd be interloping on her domain/role, but Poppa (what they currently call me) won't feel right either. Aargh! Open to suggestions, helpful hints, etc. Thanks in advance!
How about your name...Emma. I still call my parents by their first names half the time. My brothers and sisters started this and my parents loved it. It made them seem like real people...more approachable. Possibly, your wife could get them to call her by her name too!
Simplicity. I like it. They are (hopefully) old enough to understand that my role as a parent hasn't changed, just my appearance. Yeah, that could work. Maybe my new signature should be "Emma: making simple sh*t hard since 1976." :icon_bigg
