Homeschooling is a journey I never thought I’d take. Like many parents, I assumed it just wouldn’t work for our family. Life is busy, time is limited, and the idea of taking full responsibility for my child’s education felt overwhelming. But when one of our kids started struggling in the overstimulating environment of public school, we had no choice but to make a change.

In late August, after a particularly challenging start to the school year, we made the quick and life-changing decision to homeschool part-time. Was it ideal? No. Was it easy? Absolutely not. But it was necessary—and to my surprise, it’s been an amazing experience.

Why We Chose Part-Time Homeschooling

My husband and I are both teachers. We know we can teach—it wasn’t a matter of confidence in our ability to educate our child. What held us back was the financial reality of homeschooling. Like many families, we rely on dual incomes to keep everything running smoothly. Homeschooling full-time would have meant giving up one of our jobs, and that wasn’t something we could manage.

But when our child struggled to cope in the overstimulating environment of public school, we knew something had to give. Public school simply wasn’t an option anymore, and we had to find a solution. Homeschooling part-time became our answer—a balance between meeting our child’s needs and maintaining our financial stability.

Finding Balance

Balancing homeschool days with daycare was a leap of faith, but it’s turned into one of the best decisions we’ve made. Not only does daycare provide social interaction and structure, but our kids have also thrived in this setting. They enjoy helping care for younger children and love the extra time spent with their dad on non-homeschool days.

To make it work, I’ve learned to be flexible and creative. Weekends and evenings have become opportunities to supplement their education. Whether it’s reading together, discussing a science concept over dinner, or exploring nature on a weekend hike, learning has become a more integrated part of our lives.

Lessons Learned

Homeschooling, even part-time, is a big adjustment, but here are a few things that have helped us along the way:

1. Focus on Priorities
   In homeschooling, less really can be more. I’ve learned to focus on the subjects and skills that matter most, rather than trying to replicate a full school day at home.
2. Flexibility is Key
   Life happens, and some days don’t go as planned. I’ve learned to embrace flexibility and celebrate the small victories, knowing that it’s the overall experience that matters most.
3. Build a Support Network
   Leaning on resources, other homeschool families, and our daycare has been a game-changer. It truly takes a village, and I’ve been amazed at how supportive our community has been.
4. Give Yourself Grace
   Homeschooling isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t have to be. I remind myself often that I’m doing my best—and that’s more than enough.

Finding the Joy

The best part of this journey has been watching my kids thrive in ways I didn’t expect. They’ve grown closer to their dad, built confidence in a smaller and more nurturing environment, and rediscovered the joy of learning. And while I initially doubted my ability to make homeschooling work, I’ve come to realize just how capable I am when my kids need me.

If you’re a parent considering homeschooling but feeling unsure, let me tell you: you can do it. It doesn’t have to look perfect, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s version of homeschooling. You just have to make it work for your family.

For us, this part-time approach isn’t just working—it’s a blessing. It’s not the path I thought we’d take, but it’s exactly the one we needed.