Sticks and stones

Things have been lining up with our in-service at school next week to help Jessica's teacher's understand her medical condition. Alejandra and Jess visited the therapist last week, and the therapist said she didn't think she needed to see Alejandra any more. So I exhaled.

A little too soon. Jess told me today that Finn said to her that he is my prince and Ale is my princess, but she (Jessica) is nothing. Jess also said that both of her siblings had been calling her a boy. I sat both Finn and Alejandra down (again) and said that hurtful words would not be tolerated.

I said, "Jessica is going through a tough time." Ale's response -- "what about ME?" (Now, mind you, she and I have had lengthy discussions about how I was aware that this was affecting her, and that we had to have open dialogue about our situation. We talked at great length about what being transgender means, and how it's not something you can change. We talked about acceptance and prejudice. Not just once -- many, many times.) But this time, I had caught her doing something she wasn't supposed to do -- cutting Jess down. Something I had long suspected she has been doing behind my back. Jess idolizes her, and she looks for every opportunity to put Jessica down. I said, "it's not always about you -- growing up means learning to think beyond how things affect you."

Alejandra lost it.

"She's a boy!" she screamed at me. I sent her to her room to cool off, and she said, "I'll stay in my room FOREVER, because I don't want to live in the house with her."

Alrighty then. Holding my breath again.