Carla & Ivy Rockmore | Advocate Now

"At first I was scared. I was scared because she wasn't sitting well in her skin," Carla tells Sonia Baghdady of Advocate Now. "And if she's not living her authentic self, then she's never going to be happy. But at the same time, I was afraid for how difficult your life is going to be."

As for Carla's biggest piece of advice to parents of transgender children, she says: "listen."

"First thing I would say is, listen. And understand that this isn't a choice," Carla explains. "And to be there as a support, as a pillar and to accept. And if you happen to have reservations or questions that you feel you're not ready to hear, keep them to yourself."

As for Ivy, she believes her mother has handled her transition "with grace," and shares that their relationship hasn't changed since she came out, but rather strengthened.

"I ask her for help with clothes a lot more," Ivy jokes. "I steal her boots now sometimes because we're somewhat the same shoe size, but otherwise, our relationship really hasn't changed. If anything, it's probably become more honest and open because I feel like that's almost a necessity to have a healthy relationship with someone who is going through the process."

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