Bringing Up Kara

Not everyone has the patience and perseverance to homeschool their child, but Karen-Ong Tan is one such parent who makes it look easy. In this heartfelt interview, she opens up about her commitment to homeschooling and how that has made her a more confident parent.

- Jasmine Alimin

Being a mum is no walk in the park, what with the sleepless nights, diapers, breastfeeding, teething woes and more. All that is followed by an endless stream of consciousness: To sleep train or not to? To be a mindful parent or a pedantic one? To school or to unschool? Whatever decision you make, know that there is no right or wrong answer, but one that works best for you and your child.

For former lawyer Karen-Ong Tan, homeschooling seven-year-old Kara was something that happened organically. It was also a decision that she and husband, Samuel Tan—who manages personal and family investments, felt very strongly about. “This path of homeschooling resonated with us as it allowed for more shared family experiences, and helped us fulfil our responsibility as parents to impart good values to her, especially at an age when children face increasing amounts of outside stimulation,” explains Karen. “This is also the time of Kara’s life where both of us, and her grandparents, are still able and mobile—allowing us to share a wider range for experiences together, including more physical activities such as hiking and travelling.”

Being a full-time mum and primary caregiver accords Karen a lot of precious one-to-one time with her only child, which is one of the pull factors for many parents who choose to homeschool their kids. “I’m at a stage of my life where I’m not only excited, but also fortunate to have the opportunity to rearrange my commitments to make time for our little one during the precious early years. I’m also blessed to be able to do so because of the love and support of my husband,” she attests.