As a mum of two inquisitive children, my work with a GP specialising in the treatment of transgender patients (children and adults alike) has not gone unnoticed.

Recently, I was chatting over the day’s events with my husband and two additional faces appeared at the kitchen table, keen to know more.

I did not hesitate in explaining to them what the word transgender meant and what my client did.

Not for one second was I afraid that by sharing this information would I in any way be influencing my children.

The recent media frenzy over the CBBC programme ‘Just A Girl’ shows that we stand divided on how much we should share with our children on the subject of gender.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tory-mp-attack-cbbc-just-a-girl-awareness-transgender-peter-bone-julian-brazier-a7387461.html

The fear among some parents is that by having the debate and making children aware of the fact that gender can be fluid, we are forcing them to question their own gender identity.

When I told my kids about gender variance, they reacted as most children of primary school age would do, they asked questions, raised their eyebrows, and went back to doing what they had been doing before the conversation caused their ears to prick up.

From my perspective, I am glad we had the conversation. Maybe now they will be a little better prepared for the day when they meet a trans person and, fingers crossed, they will treat them with respect rather than ridicule.