10 things to teach your children if you are lesbian

1. Self-esteem
   
   It's vital for every child to understand that he deserves to be respected by others. It's not the fact that you are lesbian that may undermine child's self-esteem but the lack of parent confidence that can make him feel inferior. If you unconsciously feel guilty for "not being good enough" , it's very likely that same attitude would be adopted by your child. Otherwise parents that is self-confident will give their child strength to deal with any dilemma later.


2. Tolerance
   
   There is no need to say that homophobia is still hard to fight and others may insult your child either verbally or physically. However that doesn't mean that if you were not lesbian your kid wouldn't face such a problem. Make your child understand that other people for their own subjective reasons may not accept differences and that may as well have to do with one's appearance or out-of-ordinary behavior. Coping with biased attitude is only by being tolerant yourself.


3. Individuality
   
   Every person is unique, so is your child. And while all of us have their merits and drawbacks, the diversity makes every individual precious in the eyes of others and oneself first of all. A well-known people are celebrated by their deeds above all - not peculiarities of their personal life.


4. Respect
   
   One should not expect respect until he learns how to approach others with same attitude. Even if your child may come up against aggressive position, the best policy is to act with dignity. Your child should realize that others may compensate for their own fears and insecurity by bullying, but once they learn to respect other people they will be regarded consequently.


5. Open-mindness
   
   Being open-minded means that you can accept things in all their variety. Other point of view may seem wrong but it's only insofar that we look from our own perspective. Teach your child to look at other people's attitude as it is- another vision of life.



6. Prudence
   
   There is no need to hide parent's sexual orientation neither manifest it by hostile actions. However, caution is necessary to avoid needless attention. It's not fear, but a realistic approach to make your child feel more secure.



7. Gender awareness
   
   Other people may claim that one needs a person to learn a gender-typical behavior, i.e. a boy brought up by lesbian mothers does not have a father model. These stereotypes may create unnecessary feeling that your child is not masculine or feminine enough. What is more important for your child to learn is that people are different and they have individuality first, being man or woman is next thing. Children need loving parents and father is a man model can be derived from other people like close relatives and friends.


8. Trust
   
   Whatever difficulties your children may face, it is very important for him or her to know there is real support to find in the family. You calmness and self-assurance are basic things that keep them strong through life ups and downs. And you are the closest person to give it.


9. Love
   
   Anger breeds anger, love breeds love. There can be said a lot about your part in children upbringing, but most important one remains love for those around us irrespective of gender, sexual orientation or background.


10. Freedom to decide
    
    Your sexual orientation is a choice you made solely for yourself. Your children should by no means accept only one position. Get them to know variety of personal expressions be it emotional or physical. In the need we do not raise our children to resemble us, but to find their own way.