A mother recently disclosed her decision to withdraw her 12-year-old daughter from school to prioritize the girl’s burgeoning career as an emerging influencer. Kat Clark, a 37-year-old Australian mother, boasts a substantial following of 5.2 million on TikTok and earned the title of Content Creator of the Year at the platform’s 2022 annual awards.
Clark, a mother of two and the co-host of the popular Aussie podcast ‘Basically Besties’ alongside her daughters Latisha, 20, and Deja, 12, is known for her stringent parenting rules. In a recent podcast episode, she shared insights into her decision, stating that traditional schooling was suitable for Deja during primary school when Clark held a fellowship job. However, with her shift to a new profession, involving frequent travel, adhering to the conventional school schedule became challenging.
Explaining the decision, Clark stated, “Deja is starting to receive opportunities, and the typical school hours from 9 to 3, Monday to Friday, no longer align with our needs. We’ve discovered that we need to occasionally take her out of school to accommodate our commitments.” Consequently, Clark revealed that she has enrolled Deja in homeschooling for the upcoming year, believing it to be a more suitable arrangement for the family’s circumstances. She emphasized the importance of not wanting Deja to miss out on emerging opportunities, particularly considering the time-intensive nature of managing a significant presence on TikTok.
Clark clarified that the decision to embark on homeschooling was strategic and time-sensitive, describing it as the ‘right time’ for Deja. She added that they had considered the option carefully, and if Deja finds this lifestyle unsuitable, she can return to traditional schooling after a year. The family views this as a flexible approach, aligning with the unique demands of their current situation and the potential opportunities emerging in Deja’s influencer career.
