So when I started tutoring randomly just to help out
parents, I realized how much it is my calling! Then I had to cut back a bit to
focus on my own child. After helping him through the journey and the pitfalls,
I also realized I didn’t know what I wanted to do! It is a terrible feeling to
not know.
As I was thinking about next steps for myself, I found
out that the parents of the child I stopped tutoring were wondering when I would
be available to tutor their child again. I was quite surprised as it was almost
4 months since my last session with their child! Then, I was quite
overwhelmed with their patience. I also found out I have a mini waiting list of
parents who want me to tutor their children.
It is an awesome feeling to be needed and wanted. But
then I was back to the proverbial square one! Where do I do all this tutoring?!
I don't have a location!
As I was pondering over this frustrating situation, I
looked around myself. I was in the middle of my living/dining area. It was a
massive mess. For over a year, I let it be in "creative mode". Hans
had activity centres in that area - the coffee table was moved to make a
dance space; a table was added for Art and the dining table moved into a
corner; there was the piano with music sheets everywhere and finally, LEGO all
over the floor. Wow! No wonder my home is in demand for play dates. The dining
table in the corner had become a snack table with various snacks ranging from
candy, cookies to popcorn and chips.
I guess everyone, other than kids, tolerated it as
long as Hans was prepping. Right after we got the unfortunate news in March, I
got some breathing room and then everyone started breathing down my neck. My
mom was like can I send you a maid? And
I was like I am the maid in my home and I
don't need competition! Craigley was like can I do something? And I was like I can do it! My friends were like we want to help and I was like I
know. Everyone was itching and I wasn't scratching!
Somehow "Someone Else's Child" got me
thinking. This child wanted to resume her lessons with me. I helped her
with her reading and she had fun. Her parents noticed a tremendous improvement in her reading
within 2 months. Their child wanted to read and showed a confidence while
reading. How can I not respond to such kind feedback?! So, I decided to open up
my home for this child. My home has hosted many kids and ASid's friends are
always welcome to drop by anytime. We have an open door policy. So, why not for
kids who want to drop in to learn?!
I decided to clean up. First thing I did was to get a
shelf from IKEA. My friend Y and I put it together and she moved all the snacks
from the dining table into the shelf. Her hospitality degree from Cornell came
in handy - all the snacks were organized into sweet and savoury and further
organized into other categories. Y started me off and I was on my way. Took me
3 whole days! Hans helped with LEGO; nice to know he wanted to clean up his own
mess. I did the rest.
These were the reactions:
ASid: Are we
selling our home? This looks so staged!
Craigley was
speechless.
Hans: Sorry mom
for all the mess I made. Thanks for cleaning up.
My friends in
general: Is this the same house? So proud of you!
And to top it off, last Tuesday, I had "Someone Else's Child" restart her reading sessions with me. She was
happy. Her mother was happy. I was happy.
I finally found my location!
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