Thread by @4th_WaveNow

1. THREAD. In response to our tweets about pediatric packers, a source sent us a collection of screen grabs from a Facebook group for "affirming" parents. The group has 1000s of members, including not just parents, but some therapists & trans activists.

https://twitter.com/4th_WaveNow/status/1104427039082405888

2. The source told us there are "way too many posts about packers for little kids to capture them all. Even more about teen FTMs." We are posting here a small sampler of what she has sent us so far. Suffice it to say, penis prosthetics are a popular purchase for some parents.

3. "Peeing upright is more important than the bulge for my 6-year-old."

4. Only name visible in thread is Susan Maasch, founder/director of TYEF, who recommends the "extra small". One parent seems uncertain: "My son doesn't seem miffed about not having a penis, which frankly throws me off." Not to worry--he's still trans.
transyouthequality.org/about-us

5. Longtime followers may recognize Ms. Maasch from comments her on the [PUBLIC] Transgender Health Facebook page, & this article. She and her organization advocate for early medical intervention, including mastectomies for middle schoolers.
4thwavenow.com/2017/01/26/shr…

6. Returning to the screen grabs from the large FB support group for "affirming" parents, this parent corroborates what others have said about the Philadelphia Trans Health conference: Pediatric packers are displayed and sold there.

7. Another plug for Tranzwear, to "fill the bump" in hockey pants. Evidently some parents "research" penises for Christmas presents. Too bad the 7-year-old so far has shown "zero interest."

8. Parents provide helpful information to mom of 8 year old FTM about the mechanics of peeing through a plastic penis--and the "male bulge."

9. Why shouldn't a 6-year-old FTM have an anatomically correct penis, group members ask, by way of reassuring one parent who expresses reasonable doubts.

10. Kids will be kids, even when it comes to a treasured (?) fake penis. What's a parent to do when their son's phallus gets left behind in a hotel room?

11. "It was shocking how perfect the skin tone matched, lol."

12. Five year old "afab" is annoyed he can't get bottom surgery until 18, but a packer will do for now.

There are many more posts from Tranzwear customers. And we haven't yet touched on stores that sell tucking devices for toddler MTFs.

More to come later.

13. Packer mishaps.

14. Nearly 8200 members.

15. Plenty of ways to prevent your 7-year-old's fake phallus from falling out & landing on the bathroom floor at school. [Anyone who thinks TranzWear isn't a winning business model? Parents have been hawking the site for at least the past 4 years; this post is from a week ago.]

16. Saddened by Lego and PlayDoh penises, moms are buying silicone prostheses for their 6 year olds. No different from orthotic shoes (or clothing items for autistic kids).

17. "Time to dive in w/a packer," even though the child since age 4 (!?) has said they are just a "boy with a vagina."

Notice how other parents discourage acceptance of a preschooler's natural anatomy & push for the packer--**even when the child herself is not in distress.**

18. Online crafts site Etsy is also in on the pediatric packer act: "Faint silhouette of a cock and balls."

19. This particular thread is about "how young is too young." One mom suggests shopping for kid packers at Condom Sense, "a sex toy shop."

20. Cleaning tips, how to help your "son" avoid the "at attention" look, and... watch out for pet dogs & cats who like to chew on things.

It's the modern-day "Hints from Heloise" for the #WrongBodyism family. And yes, sorry to say, all the posts appear to be by moms, not dads.

21. Stocking stuffer suggestions for a teen trans boy (the 15-year-old outgrew the dill pickle gift from last year): One mom recommends The Tool Shed (an "adult store") but there's always Amazon. Don't forget the underwear to make the packer sit right.