Trust, Grief, and Loving Your Child Through Big Identity Changes

What happens when your child shares something that shifts the future you thought you understood?

In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie sits down with Kelly Kemp — certified child life specialist of more than 30 years and mom of three — to talk about navigating trust, grief, advocacy, and love after her child was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and came out as transgender.

Kelly shares:

• The phone call that changed everything

• Navigating substance use and mental health concerns

• Grieving privately while choosing love publicly

• Rebuilding trust with her child

• Supporting siblings during a major transition

• Setting boundaries with extended family

• Finding affirming medical and mental health care

• Holding faith and parenting together during uncertainty

This conversation is not about politics. It is about parenting inside a medical diagnosis. It is about trust. It is about grief that doesn't mean rejection. And it is about the steady, protective love that children need — especially when the world feels loud.

Whether your child is navigating a medical diagnosis, identity development, or a season you didn't anticipate, this episode will remind you:

Grief and love can coexist.

Trust is foundational.

And your child still needs you.

Resources & Crisis Support:

• The Trevor Project: Providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

• Call: 1-866-488-7386

• Text: START to 678-678

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For mental health crises in the US.

• Free Mom Hugs

• WPath (World Professional Association for Transgender Health)

• The Trans Family Alliance

• Please note: Some organizations have private social media groups. For more information on those, you are welcome to private message Kelly Kemp.

Connect & Support from Child Life On Call:

• Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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• Download SupportSpot: receive Child Life tools at your fingertips.

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Medical information provided is not a substitute for professional advice—please consult your care team.