Instagram/@joy4site
Joy Forsyth took Instagram by storm with that sweet snap captioned for day one of school for her kids Gid, Evy, and Gunner. The kids sit perched on the steps of the brick house, in velvet-matching clothing as they appear to have hearts full of excitement-all pride comes with Gid and Evy standing on either side of their younger brother Gunner, who seemed to give the brightest smile after probably the very best ABCs and colors rehearsal ever. Pure and wholesome beauty thundered along-the Least Groovy kind of post that just unleashes all-out troll warfare in the comments.
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The photograph checked the family happy moments vitrines-sunny steps, all eager faces, and faint traces of backpacks (yep, even homeschoolers have the right to carry one). With a very cheery thought, Joy captioned that it was the first year she felt under control of the school day. The kids were all very exhilarated beyond belief. While some followers began waxing poetic about the treasures (“Evy looks exactly like her daddy!!!” claimed one fan), others dived headlong into the never-ending argument about homeschooling.
One user wrote, overwhelmed by the whole concept, “Did you literally take photos of them with a backpack on and they are homeschooled??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣” ;IE> And then the devil was let loose. Some answered in defense (“They might go to a co-op!”), some downright hostile (“Imagine being immature enough to call someone a name”), while another questioned socialization: “Surely kids are meant to interact with other kids their age?” Classic arguments about homeschooling got parents into explaining co-ops, field trips, and just plain fun outside traditional classrooms.
Then came the curriculum questions. Many of them. One follower even requested details of the video. Not all of the questioning was innocent. One snarky person after spotting a typo in Joy’s hashtag #firstdayofkendergarten went on to say, “Homeschooling is one thing, but own your responsibility if you can’t even pass an elementary spelling test.” Ouch. The internet didn’t miss a chance to jump all over that one.
At the time, these discussions reinforced the prime talking points. A large number of other homeschooling mothers leapt in to support her and share back-to-school traditions (“I really need to do first-day photos!”). Others simply went on and melted over those smiles-the freckles on Gideon that one user called “the freakin’ cutest.”
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As far as this post was even a window into alternate education, it uncovered more than just the sugar-coated family moment. It presented the ideological divide between those who appreciate the flexibility of homeschooling and those who will forever cast doubt upon it. But as interlinked as it was-the proud mom celebrating a milestone-backpacks, typos, and all. And cousins, they are ready with all of their might to own this whole year, typos notwithstanding.
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