Why We Chose Hybrid Homeschooling: A Guest Post by Alicia

Today I’m thrilled to share a “Why We Homeschool?” guest post from Alicia, who writes at Public School Teacher Gone Homeschooling Mama. I immediately connected with her blog name—because I’m the same! Alicia offers a heartfelt and honest look at how her journey into hybrid homeschooling began, what it looks like in her home, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Last year was our first year homeschooling, and it came after a lot of thought, prayer, and many conversations with my husband. Ultimately, we felt strongly that this was the right decision for our family—and after trying it out, we haven’t looked back. We plan to continue homeschooling for the foreseeable future, or until we feel guided to take a different path.

Before making this transition, I worked as a reading specialist. My role included coaching teachers, digging into curriculum, providing staff development, and helping students who struggled with reading. I genuinely loved my job, which made the decision to leave even harder—especially trying to explain it to my colleagues. But deep down, I felt called to homeschool. And that calling wouldn’t go away.

Let’s be honest: every education system has its flaws. Whether it’s children being overlooked, under-challenged, or emotionally unsupported—no method is perfect. Homeschooling isn’t a fix-all either. It comes with its own set of challenges: the time commitment, the planning, and the delicate balance of being both a parent and a teacher.

For us, choosing to homeschool was not something we rushed into. I felt the pull long before my husband did. In fact, when I first brought it up, he looked at me like I had lost my mind! But I kept sharing what was on my heart and why I felt so strongly about it. Over time, his heart changed too.

As we continued to explore our options, we learned about a hybrid homeschooling model and attended a parent information meeting. That night, we enrolled our daughter—it felt like the right fit.

What Is Hybrid Homeschooling?

In a hybrid homeschool model, our oldest daughter (now heading into first grade) attends a private school two days a week and is homeschooled at home for the other three. The school follows a university-based model with a Christian foundation and offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities. It’s a wonderful balance for us—especially as first-time homeschoolers.

This model helps fill in the gaps and offers extra support for families who may feel overwhelmed doing it all on their own. It’s ideal for parents like us who wanted more involvement in their child’s education without giving up outside structure and community.

Our younger daughter is four and attends a Mother’s Day Out program. On the days we homeschool, she’s home learning alongside us—so she’s essentially homeschooled part-time too!

Homeschooling as a Former Educator

Even with my background in education, I was surprised by how different homeschooling is compared to teaching in a classroom. The curriculum is different, the environment is different, and there’s a whole new dynamic when you’re teaching your own children.

We’ve had wonderful days where everything clicks and tough days when we all need frequent breaks—me included! Some days I question whether I’m doing the right thing, and other days I know deep down that I absolutely am. It’s emotional, rewarding, and stretching in all the best (and hardest) ways.

The time I’ve gained with my children is something I will never regret. Even when it’s hard, I try to remind myself: these are fleeting years. One day I’ll look back and miss this.

A Word of Encouragement

To anyone new to homeschooling or considering it—know that you’re not alone. Start small, give yourself grace, and focus on connection over perfection. Each family’s journey is unique, and the beauty of homeschooling is that it allows us to customize education to fit our children and our values.

I started my blog Public School Teacher Gone Homeschooling Mama to share our experience, our favorite resources, hybrid schooling insights, and encouragement for others navigating this path. I hope it’s a helpful and hopeful space for anyone curious or committed to homeschooling.

Thanks for reading our story—and blessings on your homeschool journey!