No, I do not give out my phone number or use the phone for clients. As you can appreciate, if someone has my number, they can easily forget that appointments are necessary. This is non-negotiable. Please never give out my number if you have it. Instead, ask the person to email me: tamarakidd [at] tutoryourownchild [dot] com or support [at] tutoryourownchild [dot] com
Please note: I must have 24 hours notice for appointments to ensure my Aunt knows that I have an appointment with someone, and so that I can rest beforehand as I have Hemiplegic Migraine disease. Please Google that if you think I mean headaches, because it’s not headaches. Bookings ensure I’m well enough to do my job properly and that my Aunt is respected and informed.
I did, for many, many years. Not only that, but I became well known for helping people with Plans/Records for Registration in NSW. I’m no longer providing this service. My last date for registration help was 15th December 2022, and I have 100+ days notice.
If you need NSW specific assistance, please join Home Education NSW Facebook group. I still volunteer there, with others, and the whole community is willing and able to help. There are many examples of plans and records for you to access in the group’s file section.
Now I have the co-authored 3 Parent Workbooks through Always Learning Books and that will help you far beyond what I was offering, and for a much more affordable price.
I’ve been asked by many people throughout 2022 for consultations next year, and beyond, for home education support. Some people have said things like, “I feel weird thinking I won’t be able to ask for your advice for the rest of our journey… you’ve been a part of it from the beginning.” Humbled doesn’t come close, it’s truly a privilege to see your children be free to learn and watch parents have more confidence and fun. Yes, I will continue to offer Educational Consultations for the foreseeable future. I really love talking with parents about how to help their children be free to learn. The key to learning is freedom. Taking the stress and fear out of this part of parenting, it’s a real honour. I don’t take being asked for advice lightly or for granted.
HOWEVER, if you want access to the Australian Homeschooling Registration Bundle, my help has been included with a group of other support people.
I will continue being the Home Education Mentor for Nurture Parenting Magazine and present lives in their Facebook Group.
I’m also continuing with assistance in the dozen or so Facebook Support groups. Many times I’ve been in these groups since Facebook started. I used to be admin/mod in more than twice as many until I started part-time work and study.
Prior to Facebook, I also had started a local meetup group via Yahoo Groups in 2009. That local Meetup group have told me that they won’t let me go! We’re all in luck, as I don’t want to leave my ‘tribe’. I want to see what happens next with the parents, children, grandparents, various carers, the group as a whole and it’s a great way to stay engaged as things change.
And I want to see children in my local group reading the books I’m currently writing and illustrating, so they feel seen.
Books? What are you busy with now? (Do you ever sleep?*)
During November 2022, I completed 50,000+ words for NaNoWriMo, and now I’m currently editing the first draft of a novel about an accidental homeschooler. I’m also working on 8 picture books, 4 Middle Grade and 4 YA books. I’m aiming to have these first of many books ready within the next 3 years.
As you can see, I have more to contribute. Much more. Over the past 17 years, I have been inspired by the diverse lived experience thousands of families in our community have shared with each other. My hope is that by writing books that feature realistic home educating families, all ages are authentically represented.
How many times do we hear or read about stereotypes of homeschoolers, or unschoolers, based on a complete lack of experience or education? I want to put accurate stories out there.
Our children don’t need yet more books about children that go to school. I’ve seen too many children get turned off reading, because they can’t or don’t want to relate to characters that are going to school.
Apart from writing, mentor talks, summit workshops, education consultations, I’m also my Aunt’s full time carer. How do I have the time for all of this? Partly, because I am no longer helping people with NSW Homeschool Registrations. I’m thrilled about having more time to write, as writing books has been on the back burner for 15 years and while I’ve been heavily involved with Home Education in Australia, You see, all of this time I’ve also maintained a membership to the Hunter Writer’s Centre, several writing groups and have attended write-ins and workshops on a regular basis. I’ve also volunteered for the Newcastle Writers Festival and happily wear my souvenir volunteer t-shirts when tapping out stories. No longer just thinking about it, I’m doing it.
I hope you’re having a wonderful home ed day/week. I’m off to write some more! (*Yes, I do sleep… my children are now adults at University. As a solo mumma who has always worked from home, I’ve frequently maxed out my energy stores, but life is short, and I have much to do. I promise my life is a lot more sustainable now than it has been, even with HM.)