Ella’s parents, Nikki and Graham Scott, initially thought their child might be going through a phase. Nikki, 38, and Graham, 39, noticed early on that Ella was different from her brothers, preferring to play with girls and Frozen toys. Nikki thought, “With Ella, it was like she always knew who she was, but we just didn’t understand.”

Ella’s journey took a decisive turn when she turned six and expressed a desire to wear skirts and dresses. Despite initial doubts, Nikki and Graham decided to let Ella choose her Halloween costume that year, and she picked a skirt and cat ears. This experience prompted her parents to educate themselves and Ella about transgender issues. Eventually, Ella clearly stated, “I’m not a boy, I don’t feel like this inside.”

Faced with uncertainty, Nikki and Graham sought guidance from a psychologist at their local child mental health center, Reach Out Centre for Kids. This support was crucial in helping them understand and support Ella’s identity. Nikki shared, “We were asking ourselves if she was too young and if we were doing the right thing. We wanted to ensure our actions weren’t harmful or damaging.”

With professional support, the family decided to let Ella lead the way. In first grade, Ella began using she/her pronouns, grew her hair longer, and wore girls’ clothing. Despite some initial frustration with the pace of her hair growth, Ella remained a happy and upbeat child.

To celebrate Ella’s journey and share her identity with their extended family, Nikki, Graham, and Ella’s younger brothers, Teddy and Regan, hosted a gender reveal party. The event was a resounding success, with relatives offering overwhelming support and love. To protect Ella’s privacy, her parents chose not to disclose her previous name. Nikki said, “Family gave her the most supporting and loving reaction. It’s her family, her home, and that means her safe haven.”