Explaining transgenders to an 11 yo boy

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

We had 6 boys stays overnight last night for Austins's 12th birthday . We spent a few hours at Dave & Busters, had ice cream at Cold Stone then came home. The boys stayed up most of the night playing video games, laughing, arguing and fighting. Like normal boys.

One thing I picked up on was the boys kinda picking on Austin for having a girlfriend.

After all the boys left today I asked him, "So.....I heard something about girlfriend." He looks away, all embarrassed. I just say "Awesome man, good for you. You guys hang out at school and stuff?"
His face lightens up and he says, "Yeah we do. Her name is Margaret."

Happy dad.

Edit:
Since we had 6 boys and my daughter, we took 2 vehicles to Dave & Busters. On the way to Cold Stone I had 4 of the boys in my truck - the rest were in my wife's car, including Austin and my daughter.

The boy in my front seat blurts out, "Austin really likes you."
Me: Oh yeah? I like him too, he's a good kid.
Boy: Yeah, he says that you're really nice and his other dad isn't. (I'm Austin's step-dad, btw)
Me: Oh, ok. Wow, that's nice to hear, Austin is awesome!
Boy: Austin says that his other dad gives him stuff to try to buy his love...but it doesn't work that way.
Me: No, it doesn't (I'm freaking blown away right now).
Boy: How long until we get to Cold Stone?

It is amazing how fast kids blurt stuff out, or forget you are even in the car.

[Jonsey]

Super cool.

[MarkCO]

GilpinGuy, good points. I am right there with you, but I have added a few when I talk to my boys.

11. Even when your teacher is wrong, you have to respect their position of authority.
12. You never have to agree with a teacher that is wrong.
13. Never give in to what you do not believe.
14. If you do all of that, and you need my help, please ask and I will offer your teacher my opinion.

My boys are in private school and while better than public, do not for a second think private school will solve all of the problems. Police were called to both my 7th graders and 9th graders schools in the past month to deal with criminal issues with students on campus. There have been other issues too, that I do not wish to describe, but which are troubling to say the least. Involvement is important. My wife and I have both been to the school literally to sit in class and observe. Most of our issues have been resolved, but not without effort.

[GilpinGuy]

GilpinGuy, good points. I am right there with you, but I have added a few when I talk to my boys.

11. Even when your teacher is wrong, you have to respect their position of authority.
12. You never have to agree with a teacher that is wrong.
13. Never give in to what you do not believe.
14. If you do all of that, and you need my help, please ask and I will offer your teacher my opinion.

My boys are in private school and while better than public, do not for a second think private school will solve all of the problems. Police were called to both my 7th graders and 9th graders schools in the past month to deal with criminal issues with students on campus. There have been other issues too, that I do not wish to describe, but which are troubling to say the least. Involvement is important. My wife and I have both been to the school literally to sit in class and observe. Most of our issues have been resolved, but not without effort.

Good stuff!

[Gman]

Lots of good stuff in this thread.