10 year old daughter coming out?

[mumof5daughters]

I have 5 daughters and even I'm thrown sometimes!
My 10 year old daughter has told me she is bisexual. I have no problem with whatever she is but I was just so shocked because she is so young!
We have never spoken about sex or sexuality as with my older 3 who are 22,18 and 16 we had that conversation when they started secondary school.
I have said that shes very young to be thinking about boys or girls lol but whatever she is is fine with me and I love her but is she to young to be talking about these things or am I just out of touch with kids these days?!
Any help or advice would be great 😁 thanks!!

I know I fancied people when I was 9. It does seem very young to be giving herself labels I agree but that’s the way the world is going at the moment. Out and proud younger and younger. Has she told her school friends?

I definitely knew who I fancied when I was ten! I’d say she’s very likely to know what she is and who she likes despite her tender years. Good for her knowing and good for you having a parent that she knows she can approach about these things.

Has she just had PSHE or RSHE at school? My DD has just had the lesson learning the definitions - of gay, straight, bisexual. Maybe they’ve had a discussion in her class ?

Apparently school friends know and are fine with it thank God! Shows how things have moved on!
I just felt it was quite young but I'm very happy that she felt she could tell me bless her and after 5 daughters I felt sure I was going to have this with one of them lol.

Yes i think she has just had that discussion at school so I guess its stemmed from there?

Do you think the discussion influenced her rather than encouraged her? Does she truly understand what bisexual means, as in its sexual feelings (aged 10?) rather than simply liking both boys and girls as friends?

I'm relieved to hear at least she used the word bisexual - bi meaning two sexes - and not pansexual.

Do you know any more about the context of the lessons she has had this presented to her in the class?

I do think these days its very 'cool' and 'in' to be gay, bisexual,trans, pansexual, non binary etc. Not saying that your daughter isnt bisexual, but to tell all her classmates does seem a bit like shes showing off and doing it for the attention rather than because she is actually bisexual. I am bisexual but can honestly say it's never came up In conversation with friends ! I like who I like, wouldn't be something I feel I have to announce just like I wouldnt accounce it if I were straight.

I think you were right to say it as you did. Surely 10-13 is the age when everyone crushes on teachers /friends /girls /boys. I told my dc that they didn't really need to think about dating until after year 10 at least, and later on I told them that for many people sexuality isn't settled until after mid twenties so up to them who they date as long as they fancy them and the person treats them well and I think it was a big relief to them!

It's great that you said she could talk to you any time etc, but if she said she had crushes on boys (i.e. at the moment felt she was heterosexual) you might be less likely to think 'are you sure you aren't just confused or going through a phase?', or say she was very young to be saying that. It could be she is showing off, and at the same time that could also be how she feels. My best friend (I'm 15) had crushes on girls from the age of 5. I had my first crush on a boy at 8. S o I don't really think it's too young for her be thinking about who she likes. Also, 'bisexual', like 'heterosexual' or 'homosexual' isn't just about sex/sexual feelings, it includes romatic feelings/children's crushes too!

It is very trendy at school these days. This is not a derogatory statement - the freedom and acceptance they all have is wonderful but it does seem to be all they talk about. My DD 11 has decided she is non binary and prefers girls. Talks to us a lot unselfconciously, and we have provided rainbow jumpers etc. This is totally fine with us, and with her class mates (with some jokes at the poor teachers expense) but I do wonder if it will last just because of the trendiness??