2_old_for_this

Where I'm from we just had a case where an 8 year old boy was taken from his mom because she allowed him to be home after school by himself watching TV until her work ended and she got home at 5. She appealed and still lost, even though there is no official law or hard rule about the age limit. It's supposed to be a case by case basis, looking into how prepared the family is, if the kid is actually comfortable with it, etc.

I get that there are definitely some kids not ready for 1-2 hours by themselves at that age, but I think blanket rulings are completely backwards. By that age I was handling myself from 6am to 5pm due to my dad's work schedule and I loved it.

Edit: it's worth noting how the impossible child care system plays into this situation. Most parents literally don't have another option. Babysitting? Minimum $14/hr and unreliable. Daycare? In the impossibly slim chance you actually get a slot in one that's close to you, you'll have to leave work to drive the kid there from school and chances are your boss won't like that. Having your mature 8 year old sit home and watch a movie is a more realistic option for everyone involved.

That first video made me cry. :( I can't imagine how isolating it feels. I wanted to say as an older woman you look like a man to me, and an attractive one, just a man with a very young face and higher voice. And I've met and seen many, many men who did not have hormonal issues who had the same appearance and sound. Looking at you walking down the street my first thought wouldn't be that you have a hormonal disorder, but that you merely look and sound younger than your actual age. Please don't hide away.

Have you ever thought of pursuing a relationship with someone who is asexual so that sexual compatibility and drive would not be an issue? There are so many people in the "ace" community who are seeking relationships and have a very difficult time maintaining one for the same reason.

Also, do you have any heart problems as a side effect of this? I have a hormonal disorder that required a medically induced puberty as I could not enter it on my own, and was later told that I could die without it, or at least been at huge risk. I was under the impression it was necessary!

Asexual doesn't mean agender, it means someone who doesn't experience sexual desire for another person in one form or another. :)

Huh, interesting about the muscle problems because I have similar issues (though they started young and I was initially told they stemmed from my intense hormone therapy, they appear to be related to something different).

Also so glad you've come so far! While what I went through is barely a fraction of your own, I do understand the feeling of isolation you describe, and being demeaned for looking so young. While I was very fortunate my experience was limited, it remains a very sore spot in my life even though I eventually developed secondary sexual characteristics and limited fertility (was able to have kids) with intense treatment. I cannot stand hearing the constant refrain of, "You'll love it when you're 50" - that means crap when you're constantly being demeaned, patronized, looked down on and baby-talked to your entire life, with all your skills and intelligence being overlooked due to your appearance.