How To Come Out as a Therian to Parents When You’re Ready

You’d think coming out with any form of personal identity would be much easier today than decades ago. The fact is, anything that is new or different to people will always come with some hesitation.

Learning how to come out as a therian to parents is no small task. Trying to explain a deep connection with specific animals or the therian shifts you experience requires a little thought and preparation.

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We’ve put together a quick guide to help you along the way. Yes, this moment may be scary, but being a therian is important to you, so the people you love should want to be a part of this journey.

how to come out as a therian to parents from therian guide on therianthropy

Step 1: Understand Your Reasons for Coming Out

Communication begins with knowing what it is you want to say. Before you run to your parents, think about why you want to share this part of your life. Sit down in a safe space for a moment and ask yourself:

What do I hope to gain from coming out as a therian?
Will this open conversation about my identity hurt or help our relationship?
Does being a therian get into conversations of anything else (autism, ADHD, etc.) that I’m not ready for?
Am I trying to better feel supported?

If you feel your parents have always trusted open communication and support for one another, you are probably in the right area to explain your animal instincts.

However, if your need to describe your theriotypes comes from uncertainty about who you are, you may want to explore your personal journey a bit longer.

Whatever you decide, make your next move with clarity, not a reaction to pressure from friends, online activities, or anything else. If you’re not ready, it is always perfectly okay to wait and keep this part of your life private. The decision is completely yours.

how to tell your parents you’re a therian from the therian guide on therianthropy

Step 2: Prepare Yourself for the Conversation

Assuming you want to move forward with how to tell your parents you’re a therian, it’s time to prepare. You want to use tricks like meditation, going for a walk, or listening to music to calm your nerves. Deep breathing is an excellent way to stay calm so you can answer any questions your parents may have.

A good exercise is to start with a trusted friend who is already aware of your therianthropy background and accepts you for who you are. You can work together through a little roleplaying to better anticipate your parent’s reactions or where they stand on diversity and self-expression.

Also, think about your timing. Trying to have an open and calm conversation about your non-human ways when your parents are stressed about money, jobs, or home life may not be a good start. The mindset of your parents should be relaxed and ready to talk.

Step 3: Keep the Explanation Simple and Positive

No matter what, keep your explanations simple and positive. Avoid using complex terminology in the therianthropy community and stick to relatable terms.

For example, instead of declaring, “My theriotype is an otter,” you may want to say something like, “I feel deeply connected to otters as if I see the world through their eyes sometimes.”

Stay positive and the more your parents are willing to ask questions and learn, the more you can introduce more complex ideas. Try to avoid any comparisons to fictional or negative concepts, such as fantasy creatures like dragons or werewolves. It may confuse the discussion until the foundation of identifying as a therian is set in stone.

telling your parents about therianthropy from the therian guide

Step 4: Choose How and When to Tell Them

The where and when of how to come out as a therian to parents matters. You want somewhere you all feel safe, comfortable, and private, so a face-to-face conversation is easy. You can also go by writing a letter they can read if verbal communication feels intimidating.

Some people drop little hints over time. Talk about how you are drawn to certain animals or enjoy wearing therian masks to feel better after a hard day. Gradual disclosure helps people better adjust to new ideas.

Step 5: Focus on Shared Understanding

One of the best ways to get people to see your perspective is to make it personal. Relate your discussion to your individual experiences instead of abstract concepts. Share how this connection you feel with therianthropy positively affects your emotions, instincts, and perspective on life.

Encourage your parents to ask questions. If they seem hurt, confused, or hesitant, try to stay patient. Therian life is pretty new for most people, and will likely take some time to process the information fully.

calm conversation about therianthropy with parents from the therian guide

Step 6: Introduce Visible Elements Gradually (Optional)

The more you feel safe and comfortable with your parents, the greater the opportunity to integrate therian expressions into your life. You may want to slowly:

Wear a small piece of therian gear like a tail or ears around the house.
Practice quads in your yard or while hanging out in the living room.
Display therian symbol artwork or show them a homemade therian journal.
Talking about the history of where therians come from or watching YouTube videos about it.

Sometimes, people will associate these actions as part of a hobby, giving them context to understand therianthropy better.

not telling parents about therian background from the therian guide on therianthropy

Alternatives to How to Tell Your Parents You’re a Therian

Let’s get personal for a moment. As a dad of a therian, I’m thrilled my kiddo felt comfortable coming to me about their journey, but I know that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of parents out there who will put therianthropy into a religious context or look down on it because it is so different.

If you feel unsafe or simply not ready to share – then don’t. Only you can make this decision for yourself. There are plenty of supportive spaces you can find where your therian instincts are celebrated, like:

Joining online groups or forums.
Spending time outdoors immersing yourself in nature.
Using creative writing, art, or music to express your identity.
Attending conventions where people dress up (cosplay, furries, therians, etc.).
Enjoying any of the fun things therians like to do in their free time.

Coming out is deeply personal and should be done on your terms. It’s okay to take your time until you’re ready. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

parents hugging therian after coming out from the therian guide on therianthropy

Wrapping Up

How to come out as a therian to parents takes bravery and a clear, calm community. Take your time to prepare by considering your reasons. Give your parents time to process everything they’re learning and keep positive and respectful.

Whether or not you choose to explain your therian identity should be honored. Hopefully, this article has helped you feel more supported – either way you choose to go next.

If you would like to learn more about the Therian Guide, feel free to leave a comment below, share this article, or drop us a line on our contact page. Thank you for reading!

FAQs

What is a therian for parents?

For all the parents reading this article, a therian is a person who identifies with the traits or spirit of a specific animal (or animals). Therians feel a deep connection with this animal, often displaying behaviors, sounds, or emotional ties like a therian shift.