I've been undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for Male to Female transition for almost three years. My circle of close friends and allies have become my "family."

My fiancé of seven years has been with me through it all. He initially accepted me as his boyfriend and now, his girlfriend.

My problem is his mother. Their family is upper-middle-class and have done well. I've come from near-trailer trash to low middle-class.

My finance’s attended many doctors’ appointments and therapy sessions with me at my request. He’s aware of the issues and struggles I face daily with my transition, and my past traumas from family and life.

His mother focuses on whether I have a job or not. It seems like she's looked down at me ever since I met her, and she's gotten worse.

I've been heavily considering returning to school for higher education past high school, but attending school isn’t cheap or easy.

Currently, my care team (therapists, doctors, friends, etc.) do not think I can handle the stress of college along with my transition.

Meanwhile, it seems that no matter what I do for my fiancé, his mother won’t like or accept me till I've got some kind of job.

(I DO have income and have been looking for work, it's just difficult for me as I only have a high school background).

Is there anything I can do to get this woman, who’s my future mother-in-law, to accept me as not being a total “Loser”? I love my fiancé and he loves me.

Tough Transition

Your support team – and especially your therapist and doctors – have made it clear that this is not the time to add new stressors into your life.

That includes not trying to win over your fiancé’s mother during this transition and hormone replacement therapy.

Her son should simply tell her that he loves you, and that seeking work is a definite goal of yours after the process.

(She’s probably worried that her son will end up supporting you financially, indefinitely. He can try to allay her fears).

You’re a very strong-minded person to choose to undergo all that’s involved in transitioning from a man to a woman.

It’s the personal challenge of re-defining yourself. Now, also shed the “near-trailer trash” image of your background. You’re way past that, in determination and courage.

Have the confidence to understand that his mother is entitled to have some concerns about your place in her son’s life. Go through your change, and hopefully she’ll see who you really are.

If not, you and your fiancé will manage on your own, and you going back to school and/or finding a decent job will be the next big goals, without her pressure.

Social media, despite its good features, allows others to say whatever they want which everyone then sees.

Example: My sister posted that I was “drunk again” and feeling sorry for myself.

I was upset. Many people asked me about it. I went off social media.

My sister doesn't get this and said "It was true, if it hurt you I’m sorry."

Maybe I just need to lessen my ties to my sister.

BEWILDERED

Text or phone your sister occasionally, to limit the contact. Explain that you care about her as a sister , but don’t want a public relationship.

Meanwhile, your break from social media will help you decide which “friends” you trust and whether you want to re-connect with them that way.

My girlfriend and I are both 19, in first-year university. We each live at home.

I always bring enough lunch-to-go so there’s extra for my girlfriend. She never brings food and is hungry all day.

I’ve told her that by not eating, she’s doing the opposite of what our program head advised - “to set yourselves up for success.”

She’s a dancer, still taking classes and has a great figure so it’s not a weight issue. I think she’s just lazy.

Worried Friend

She has a serious food-related fixation which could be related to body-image, food-origin concerns, taste, weight, physical or mental health issues. She likely appears “lazy” due to fatigue from living on too-little fuel, with dancing using up even more.

If there’s Student Services at your University, encourage her that you’ll accompany her there, because you’re worried about her. If she won’t go, ask your mother to call hers. She needs help.