151: Parenting with Pride: Love, Support, and Growth for LGBTQIA+ Teens with Heather Hester

Rewrite the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

In this episode, I speak with Heather Hester, the Founder of Chrysalis Mama, about how she has mothered two LGBTQIA+ teens, how best to support our children, and how to prioritize love.

Heather shares that her journey as a Founder began when her son Connor came out as LGBTQIA+. She then realized she did not have the tools to support him. In learning the importance of expressing unconditional love to her children, she encourages parents to educate themselves, prioritize their child’s mental health, and ensure their child’s school environment is affirming.

She offers practical tips for parents of LGBTQIA+ teens for when they come out and how to provide continued support along their journey. She acknowledges some of the mistakes she made along the way, too. Her journey has involved breaking cycles from her conservative upbringing and learning to trust her inner voice. She reflects on the importance of stepping into who we are meant to be as mothers and the need to break free from societal expectations.

You’ll also hear about:

• (03:33) Before and after Heather’s son came out
• (09:43) Embracing messiness and ending cycles
• (19:10) Navigating parenting an LGBTQIA+ teen
• (23:36) Acknowledging and embracing mistakes
• (36:17) Being honest with our children
• (38:44) Three practical steps for parents
• (45:32) The beauty of life’s unfolding
• (51:26) Stepping into ourselves

Don’t miss Heather’s message of empathy, resilience, and unconditional love.

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Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Check out Heather’s LGBTQIA+ resources

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Listen to Heather’s podcast

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