After reading the story A Love Like No Other by Little Katie, I started reading the stories she linked to. Two of those stories, A Different Kind of Life and How Life Can Change, are very similar as to the circumstances that befall the main protagonist (in both cases a 9 year old boy). But the behaviour of the respective parents are exactly oposites of each other.

The parental characterisation in A Different Kind of Life what we find in most TG-fiction. And I have a very similar experience with my own parents.

Where as the parental characterisation found in How Life Can Change is more atypical for TG-fiction. And it even goes against the commonly held belief in real life, that mom is "allways" the caring, nurturing and protective parent while dad is "allways" the abusive bigot. Unfortunately, the scenario given in this story happens far to often in real life. Apart from my own ex-wife, I personally know at least half a dozen other cases where this same thing has happened.

Even though I would recommend both stories - republished on BCTS in 2008 - for reading, I need to warn you that HLCC can be rather disturbing for those who have suffered abuse and/or suicide survivors. While ADKoL is sweeter, it also has it's share of conflict. But it definitely is not as traumatic as HLCC.

I wish both stories could be made required reading for pediatric caregivers (i.e. social workers, psychologists, nurses, doctors, teachers, coaches and parents).

Many warm greetings,

Jessica Nicole