Transitions of the Heart

Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children

By: Rachel Pepper - editor

Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Transitions of the Heart is the first collection to ever invite mothers of transgender and gender variant children of all ages to tell their own stories about their child’s gender transition. Often transitioning socially and emotionally alongside their child but rarely given a voice in the experience, mothers hold the key to familial and societal understanding of gender difference. Sharing stories of love, struggle, and acceptance, this collection of mother's voices, representing a diversity of backgrounds and sexual orientations, affirms the experience of those who have raised and are currently raising transgender and gender variant children between the ages of five and fifty.

Edited by Rachel Pepper, a gender specialist and co-author of the acclaimed book The Transgender Child, Transitions of the Heart will prove an invaluable resource for parents coming to terms with a child’s gender variance or transition.

©2012 Rachel Pepper (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Eye opening

I am so glad a friend recommended this book to me. It was interesting and full of different perspectives.

very helpful

thank you so much. having a teenage non binary, possible trans child I found this book very helpful. I'm supportive obviously of them forging their own life path, but did have concerns around the cruelty in the world towards those 'different' ... listening to the wonderful stories of lives that thrive (and yes, even grandchildren!) warmed my heart.

These stories are important and helpful.

This book contains 32 essays written by mothers of transgender children. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a transgender friend or family member; anyone who has a friend with a transgender family member; anyone who wants to better understand how the families of transgender people cope and feel. We live in a time when there is hatred and fear for the transgender community. The political ideology is combative and fractious with many preaching an agenda that promotes prejudice, anger and fear for the transgender community. In my opinion the best way to understand an issue - any issue - is to thoroughly research it. If you have any desire to comprehend more, this is a lovely and easy to read compilation which is a good place to start.

I will tell you with honesty that somebody I love has recently come out to me as female to male transgender. I love this person. I am confused and struggling. But my love is paramount and so my desire is to better understand, to lose the confusion, to stop struggling and to love him even more than I loved her. He needs me more now than ever and I plan to be accessible and loving. Rachel Pepper said this: "These mothers have learned how to advocate for their children and themselves. By speaking out here, they are blazing a brave trail for others to follow." I plan to follow that brave trail.

Heartfelt, Well-Written, and Moving

Mothers of transgender and gender variant children tell of their child's transition, and their own transitions that went with them. The universality of their challenges will touch anyone who's ever given their all to their kids--- and took the leap before before they understood the depth.

These mothers come from all backgrounds, demographics, married, single, straight, gay, religious, non-religious— and all of them had to find their own path on the "transgender odyssey" that their child was on. Their experiences are unexpected and different. The common thread is love for their children, and wanting the best for them.

great book for Mom's maybe for dads

these are beautifully written and well-read accounts of moms and their trans children. I listened to the end, which is fairly rare for me. The second to last chapter is well worth waiting for, or skipping to if you get tired of the rest of the stories. As a dad with a child going from female to male, the book is rather disappointing. Perhaps the author could find no dad's. I imagine it's more difficult to find Dad's than moms. Despite that fact, it was deeply enlightening.

Great stories, but narration leave me unsettled

This is a great book of personals accounts, but the narrator puts on a particular accent when relaying stories from African Americans and it seriously detracted from my experience of their stories. Unfortunately, I can’t fully support this audio book and recommend the physical book instead.

Great resource for parents!

As a transgender I find this book exceptionally well done, informative and helpful for parents.

Good Insight to Transgenderism

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book in one sitting. Overall excellently presentated.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend to anyone who is questioning their own lives or the lives of their children. Lets not overlook this section of society.

Finding my son

I liked that there was so many different stories all in one place. I am the mother of a transgender child that appreciates others stories to help with my own thoughts and worries for my child.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand “Transitions of the Heart”.