“We have not turned back,” Amber said, sitting in Mazy’s bedroom. While Amber talked about home schooling, Donté pulled in a chair from the kitchen, grabbed a white board and challenged his daughter to a game of tic-tac-toe.

“I’ve lost my free time. But that’s OK,” Amber said. “I am more content knowing Mazy will be OK. A big, huge weight is gone. It’s a million times better.”

Home schooling, however, may not last beyond fifth grade. Mazy and her parents have talked about going back into the Ritenour School District next year for middle school.

“Social environments to navigate are important to her,” Amber said. Mazy’s parents say it is better to confront problems than run away from them. That will include what bathroom Mazy will use. And whether they tell school officials that their daughter is transgender.

But this is the best fit for now. Getting Mazy caught up in her studies. Taking away the anxiety of an unpredictable outside world.

“We want to give her a fair chance,” Amber said.