I'm not afraid to go out, and I do from time to time. But my crossdressing is private, like any other part of my sex life. I don't blab to my family and kids about my sex life, so why would I tell them about my dressing?
Further, many people equate crossdressing with being gay, no matter how you try to explain it. "Why would you want to look like a woman"? "Do you try and attract men"?
And lastly,I want my kids to view me, and remember me as "Dad", not "Dad the crossdresser".