I am a happily married heterosexual mother of 3. A daughter and 2 two sons. Yesterday my 9 {nearly 10} year old son told me he had a secret and was frightened to tell. Naturally I was very concerned. he was highly emotional and I could see he was very nervous and frightened. I assured him I was his mum and he could tell me anything. He confessed he liked a boy in his class. I asked why he was so upset to which he told me he hates feeling like this and he was 'stupid' and nobody would like him if they knew about his 'gayness'. After convincing him he will always be my baby boy and i will always love support, and protect him no matter how he feels; he is who he is. i asked if he liked this boy because he was cool and he wanted to be like him, to which he replied 'no mum, i mean i like, like him'. i asked what he meant and how at his age he knew any different. he told me he had lots of friends but none of them made him feel how this child did. alarmed i asked him to elaborate. he feels very shy when hes around him. he says he gets butterflies in his tummy and his ears burn and cheeks get red (bless him). are these feelings even possible or viable at this age? we sat and cuddled and he pleaded for me to keep his secret. I told him i would never tell anyone (inc his dad) i will always be here if he needs to talk. i assured him he had no reason to be ashamed but other children can be very cruel and so he should be very careful who he confides in and although its up to him i wouldn't tell any of his friends how he feels. I explained he was very young to be worried about boys or girls at his age and should be concentrating on making friends and having fun. I explained (age appropriately) that he was pre-pubescent and feelings can change but not to worry too much whatever happens i will always be there. An hour later he asked when his dad would be home as he decided he needed to confide in him. upon my husbands return he knew there was something going on. My son was very sheepish. I warned my husband (out of earshot) his son wanted to speak to him n however he felt our boy needed to know he loves him regardless. when he told his dad he was very embarrassed. dad asked him to repeat what he had said (he heard him but wanted him to know he should not be ashamed to tell his dad anything) 'I like boys, dad'! dad asked him 'are you still you?' 'yes ... but dad you still love me?' my heart melted. my husband broke down and assured him he will always love him and he can tell him anything; it was so beautiful. After the tears had subsided we assured him how proud we were of him for having the courage to tell us to which he said he was so glad he had and he felt better, Hes smiling again lol!! Is there more we should have said?? did we say anything wrong? unbeknown to my son my husband is really struggling with his confession. he says he cannot understand it ('hes just a normal kid. hes messy, rough, how can he know this hes ony 10'!!) my hubby doesnt want to discuss it with me. he suggested moving our sons school and getting him into 'boy sports'. is his response normal? is our son gay? he is a healthy, happy, beautiful, boystrous young boy and i love him entirely whatever he may be!! if his feelings are indicative of him being gay im so worried and frightened how i will protect him from the bigoted, ignorant, closed minded people in this world. can anyone offer any of us any advice please?