When I had my first baby in 2020, I knew I would not be able to leave her under someone else's care and go to work. We lived in a nuclear family and my husband worked outside the house every day. So each year, as I got calls from my ex colleagues, principals and school leaders here in Goa, I kept repeating that I am not ready to get back to work. I had 2 more babies every 2 years and my life looked very different than it did when I worked and got a paycheque.
In 2021, when my firstborn turned 1, we were still under covid lockdowns and I saw she needed more stimulation and learning to keep her growing mind fed. That is when I started planning activities for her to do and my personal instagram page began. I recorded most things we did and as a result was motivated to continue to do more activities with her. When my husband would return from work, He and I would sit and watch all the pictures I had taken over the day. We cherished that baby and then God gave us 2 more to love and raise. What joy! And what a massive responsibility. When my firstborn turned 3 years old, I knew I would homeschool her and started studying the volumes of Charlotte Mason. I had been in the school systems long enough to know I did not want to repeat those learning patterns in my home. So a new journey of unlearning and relearning began. As I watched the youtube videos every day and took notes, my mind started getting fed and a new love for learing was ignited in me! I set apart a time every day to study and learn and the more I read, the more I loved learning. (I will link my favourite youtube channel for the CM way) (35) Simply Charlotte Mason - YouTube
At home, things got hard with 2 babies. a husband who worked hard all day, no maid and a single salary. I was often prompted by others to rethink going back to school and resuming my job. The offers kept coming in and sounded even better in these financially trying times. "We will educate the girls for free and pay you more than we did 4 years ago". "We will send a driver and you can work half day"
I had to ask myself a hard question. Would the education I provide my girls at home, have greater value than the financial freedom we would experience by being a double income family? And each time,. the answer was yes.
When things got really hard, God always opened a door. Some students' parent would call and ask me to tutor after the girls bedtime, or another student would need training for an international public speaking event and there would be some financial relief, or an ex collegue would say there is a student in dubai or russia who needs cambridge tutoring. I even worked in a school as a visiting faculty when pregnant with my 2nd for 2 hours a week while my oldest would have a play date with dear friends and their little one. God always provided a way and never let things get beyond my ability.
2 years ago, I was diagnosed with a bone condition. A chronic pain condition. Things got hard again physically and this time with 3 girls, one of them a newborn. We contemplated sending the girls to school so I could focus on my health and the baby. And yet, after 3 months of physical therapy and a lot of care at home, my body was able to perform the basic needed tasks for the day. The girls grew in compassion and chores around the home, the family came together and I had the hardest, yet the best year of my marriage. Relying on God through this hard time had once again grown my faith in His providence and in His ways. Even in those very hard days, we decided not to ourtsource the education of our girls. We decided we could hire a cook if absolutely needed. We would rather outsource our meals than the raising of our children. My body still has needs and days of pain and dysfunction. But I am able to get through them and serve my family well.
2 months ago I published my first childrens book about my firstborn Ahna and her love for baking. In order to market a self published book, I restarted my instagram page(which was dead at that point), and started talking about the importance of good books and a good education. People started following my page. Gradually, my follower count grew from 600 to 6000 in 1.5 months. I was told that was amazing growth. I was happy people were enjoying ideas about homeschooling and I was having an opportunity to provide for our family financially in some capacity while having an impact in other peoples lives.
One night, I put up a trial reel, like I did every night and the next morning when I woke up, I realised that reel had blown up. Within 4 days from posting that 1 reel, my account had gone from 6k followers to almost 48k followers(and counting). I started doing individual consults with people and having an impact in their families. What an incredible blessing. The first thing I did the morning when I woke up that day was to sit and write down my absolute priorities.; reading the bible, loving my husband and children, homeschooling my children, taking care of my body and then helping othes with their parenting and homeschooling. I needed to remind myself of the most important things in life and that I am here for one 'Well done my good and faithful servant' rather than how many ever instagram followers. I sent whatsapp messages to my sisters in christ and told them about this and asked them to hold me accountable for my time in the Word. Pray for wisdom and that I may walk this 'influencer' path with integrity. I made a rule for myself with the brand deals in my inbox. I would not promote a product for money, if I would not promote it without any money.
And this Monday, I get to meet with 40 families who might choose to homeschool their children. 40 families looking for ways to serve their little ones and raise them better. May God be with me and give me wisdom. May God guide my words and help me do my work with integrity. May God walk with me through these new beginnings.