I became a wife at eighteen and, by the age of twenty-three, I was the proud mother of three beautiful children. My husband and I made a decision very early in our marriage that has shaped the rest of our lives: our children would always come first.

Money was often tight, but we agreed that I would stay home with the children while they were young. I worked part-time here and there to help pay for special things like birthdays and Christmas, but our greatest investment was the time we spent together as a family. Looking back, I have never regretted that decision.

As our children grew, it became clear that they all learnt differently. One child was academically gifted but wasn’t being challenged at school, while another found the classroom environment difficult and needed more individual support. After much thought and many conversations, I made the decision to homeschool. My husband was understandably hesitant at first, but after seeing the confidence, enthusiasm and progress our children made, he became one of homeschooling’s biggest supporters.

Those eight years of homeschooling were some of the busiest—and most rewarding—years of my life. And to be totally honest, some of the hardest and most stressful too. If it wasn’t for my husband giving me time out every week, I probably wouldn’t have been able to keep it up.

We discovered that learning didn’t have to happen only at a desk. Science lessons took place in museum laboratories, zoos and aquariums. Art was taught by professional artists, drama by performing arts teachers, and every month homeschooling families organised excursions, sporting activities and learning experiences that we could choose from. Our children learnt alongside people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, giving them a rich social life that many people don’t expect from homeschooling.

As a family, we also spent countless hours involved in local sports. It gave our children wonderful friendships within the wider community, so when they eventually returned to school they already knew many of the children in their classes. In fact, my daughter had never been to school before when she started year 7 and she already knew almost half her classmates through sport and neighbourhood friendships.

Those years taught me one of the most valuable lessons of all: every child learns differently, and when learning is made meaningful, encouraging and enjoyable, children thrive.

After the children returned to school, I found myself with more time than I had known in years. My passion for helping children hadn’t disappeared, so I completed a Educational Assistant qualification with a specialisation in supporting children with additional needs. I also continued studying independently and spent time working in before and after school care before family responsibilities called me in another direction.

Around that time another wonderful chapter of my life began.

One by one, our grandchildren arrived.

Today I’m incredibly blessed to have seven beautiful grandchildren. I’ve spent countless hours babysitting, enjoying sleepovers, helping with homework, reading stories, playing games and simply watching them grow. Being so involved in their lives has given me a unique opportunity to see how much childhood has changed over the years.

Families today often juggle far more commitments than ever before. Technology has brought many wonderful opportunities for learning, communication and creativity, but it has also quietly replaced many of the simple experiences that help children grow. Time spent reading together, playing imaginative games, exploring outdoors, solving problems independently and simply being bored long enough to become creative has become harder to find.

I’ve also noticed that many children reach the upper years of primary school without feeling confident in the basic skills that support everything else. Strong reading, early mathematics, clear communication and healthy learning habits are the foundations on which future learning is built. Without those foundations, many children gradually lose confidence and begin to feel left behind.

That is why I created Nana Tam Education.

My goal isn’t to turn back time or reject technology. Technology is an incredible tool when used well. Instead, I want to help families find a healthy balance between the best of modern learning and the timeless experiences that children have always needed.

I believe children learn best when they feel loved, encouraged and supported. They need opportunities to read, create, imagine, explore nature, move their bodies, ask questions and discover that learning can be exciting. They also need strong foundations in literacy and numeracy so they have the confidence to embrace every opportunity the future brings.

Everything I create—whether it’s a children’s book, printable activity, educational resource or parenting article—is inspired by the lessons I’ve learnt as a mother, homeschooler, educator and grandmother.

Thank you for visiting Nana Tam Education. I hope you’ll find ideas, encouragement and resources that help make learning a joyful part of your family’s everyday life.

After all, some of the greatest learning happens not only in classrooms, but around the kitchen table, in the backyard, on family adventures and in the precious moments we share together.