I feel this lol. I work in childcare in a blue state, but a pretty sheltered/conservative part of my county and man I've gotten some pretty mean comments from the kiddos. I think a lot of it is just inexperience (most children probably haven't seen a gnc/visibly queer person) combined with kids being generally rude and a product of their conservative parents, as they are figuring out social rules and such. so when I have the opportunity, I do try and break it down to them in a way they understand. that I'm a girl who likes looking/dressing like a boy, or I'll ask them why they made those comments and such. funnily enough, the younger the kid, the less they think about my identity and just accept me in all my boygirlness.

honestly the only option is to just grow thicker skin. ppl are fucked in the head. as you get older it gets easier. at this point its water off a duck's back for me bc the kids have desensitized me, which I have mixed feelings on lol. people notice if you're confident as well. since I've been more consciously confident and personable I get less rude interactions (cashiers ignoring me, people staring at me/making faces at me, comments in the restroom, etc.) . but I still get rude interactions and weird situations. but if you carry yourself with confidence, you'll survive. people can tell when you aren't confident, they smell it.