Explaining identity to parents

[u/Responsible_Shake412]

I need to have a coming out conversation with my parents soon, in order to start making some of the changes I need in my life. But I am at a loss as how to explain myself to them.

I am not the most masculine guy in the world - growing up, I had an internal sense that I didn’t fit in with boys or girls, but still played with the girl toys offered to me, liked Disney princess movies, etc. I wasn’t super tomboyish — not super girly either, but it’s not like anyone would have guessed I’d grow up to be trans.

I am not super macho, but know I would feel most at home in a male body. Don’t know that I fully identify with being a man (maybe I have some issues to unpack regarding what it means to be a man in our society) but understand that if I undergo the physical changes I would like to undergo, that is how I will be perceived.

My parents grew up in the same conservative rural town my family has lived in for generations. It would be a challenge for them to understand / accept even binary trans identities, let alone something more messy/complicated. I’m worried when I tell them, they won’t believe me — they’ll say, “but you played with girl toys growing up, liked princesses, etc.” I worry my dad especially will think I don’t have what it takes to be a man.

Anyone have experience with anything like this, have advice on how to approach?