u/Most_Decision_282

What are your favorites? Some I already have on my list:

Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
O-o-h Child - The Five Stairsteps
This Too Shall Pass - OK Go

Hello! I'll be visiting the UK this fall and have November 7-8 to see the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (the only time I can do it). The official web page says the Priory is open weekends in November, but I've read elsewhere that the Priory and museum can have unexpected closures. I'd also like to see St. Mary's Church and walk around the village. I don't really need to go inside the castle, seeing it from outside is enough.

Knowing the weather might be cold and wet, is planning a visit at that time of year risky?

Hello! I'll be visiting the UK this fall and have November 7-8 to see the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (the only time I can do it). The official web page says the Priory is open weekends in November, but I've read elsewhere that the Priory and museum can have unexpected closures. I'd also like to see St. Mary's Church and walk around the village. I don't really need to go inside the castle.

Appreciating that the weather might be cold and wet, is planning a visit at that time of year risky? Thanks for any advice.

I'd like to spend a few weeks this fall in England (solo), and am trying to decide whether York or Newcastle makes more sense as a base for what I want to see and do. I won't have a car, so will mostly be relying on buses and trains, but am open to hiring a driver for an excursion if necessary. As a British history buff, here are the top sites on my wish list - I've had a hard time gauging how easy transport connections are from the respective cities:

• Lindisfarne Priory
• Durham
• Ripon
• Middleham Castle (I love ruins)
• Bamburgh Castle
• Fountains Abbey
• Rievaulx Abbey
• Lincoln Cathedral if possible

The appeal of the cities themselves (or nearby towns) matters as well. I've been to York proper and love it, but I have never been to Newcastle. My impression is that it's a bit more industrial, is that accurate?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

My 21yo just came out as trans, less than 48 hours ago. My spouse and I were blindsided as she (mtf) has never once expressed any hint of dissatisfaction with her birth gender or a wish to wear feminine clothing or use makeup, has always been genuinely happy and well adjusted with no sign of internal turmoil. She is very close to us and I feel like we would have had some inkling if she wasn't happy under the surface. We are staunch supporters of LGBTQ+ rights and have always welcomed and supported her queer friends.

I feel good about the way we handled it in the moment, with big hugs, thanking her for telling us and reassurance that we love her unconditionally and nothing will ever change that. We have tried hard to use her new name and asked for her patience when we inevitably slip up at first. We asked questions sensitively and shared that, while we'll need some time to process our own feelings, we are here for her unequivocally. She brought up HRT and we asked to discuss that further together because there are hereditary medical conditions that may come into play, and her health is our biggest priority. She agreed to that.

Inside, though, I'm struggling hard with a sense of loss and grief. I can't sleep and can barely eat. I have a hard time focusing on work and I cry off and on. I feel a lump in my throat and in the pit of my stomach. Seeing childhood pictures or recent pictures of her hurts. So far she looks the same way she always has, wearing the same clothes, same hair, no makeup, not even shaving for a day or two in a row, but I know that will change and to be honest the thought of physical transformation has me really, really unsettled. We have lots of friends and family who will most likely be supportive, but some I'm unsure about (to be clear, our child comes first and any unsupportive friends/family won't be in our lives).

I'm looking into local parent and family support groups and although I have a therapist, also looking into a therapist who specializes in gender. My spouse and I will see this therapist together. Is there ever any point at which it is appropriate to involve our child as well?

Parents who have been there - kids who have been there on the other side of this - please share your words of wisdom, reassurance, advice and recommendations. I know it's going to be okay. But I don't feel okay right now.