#024 Sexuality & Gender – Tips for parents with Dr Matt Zakreski

Today is Part 2 of a conversation about sex education for parents of gifted kids that we started earlier this year with Dr Matt Zakreski. In this episode, we talk about gender and sexuality as they relate to the gifted population. As parents of gifted kids, we especially, need to be open to accepting, knowing and understanding sexuality and gender issues and we talk about why. We define sexuality, gender, CIS gender, gender fluid, transgender and all the letters in LGBTQ+ and why it is important to understand this language. We provide tips for parents if your child starts talking about sexuality, or questioning gender, or comes out to you, or wants to talk about sex. Not to mention, how to talk about consent as an ongoing conversation. This podcast is full of tips and how-to’s for parents to navigate what can be uncomfortable and complex conversations. Continue the conversation in our Facebook Group or check out our NEW 'What is Gifted' page with a huge FREEBIE - Part 1 of Parent effectively by learning about the gifted brain. 🤩 Hit play and let’s get started! Memorable Quote “What we're doing is, we are normalizing these conversations. We are taking this out of the bedroom, out of the closet, and shining the light of day on it. And, to those of you who are out there, who are engaging with this, keep engaging with it.” – Dr Matt Zakreski “What we want is to create an environment where it's safe for people to come out and share all aspects of ourselves. And that starts very much with the language we use…we want to use gender neutral terms as best we can.” – Dr Matt Zakreski “So the number one thing you say when someone comes out to you is thank you because they are choosing to do a brave thing and they have identified you as a brave person.” – Dr Matt Zakreski Resources Dr Donna Ford Dr Matt Zakreski The G Word Film Mark Smolowitz Dr Matt Zakreski Bio Psychologist, Gifted Expert, International Speaker Matthew Zakreski, PsyD is a high-energy, creative clinician who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his clients.  He specializes in working with children and adolescents, as well as their families, in providing therapy and conducting psychological evaluations.  Dr. Matt is proud to serve as a consultant to schools, a professor at the university level, and a researcher and author on his specialty, Giftedness.  Dr. Matt thrives in supporting young people in understanding, developing, and celebrating their unique brains and ways of operating in their world. He is best known for his work with Gifted individuals and in being an advocate for implementing high-level supports and understanding of Gifted needs.  He is a board member of the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education and active in multiple Gifted organizations around the country. Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about your biggest takeaway in the comments. For more episodes, you can subscribe and to help others find our podcast please leave a review. You can find show notes and more resources at www.ourgiftedkids.com See you in the same place next week. Connect Connect with me on LinkedIn Instagram & Facebook!