Something Smells Fishy

So... have you (local) friends seen this and the "discussion" surrounding it? It's creating quite an uproar on homeschool Facebook groups...

Thoughts?

This honestly reminds me more of Jocelyn when Dylan went away to school... she missed her buddy all day long! Although we did have lots of one on one playtime and did tons of girly things so it wasn't too bad ;)

A homeschool mom on a Facebook group wrote to the artist, expressing her concerns that the homeschooled fish seemed sad and facing backwards b/c he will learn less... and here was his response:

I think you've read far more into my comic than was intended. 

Instead of being in a regular "school" of fish, he's home"school"ed. 

Nothing more than that.  

As for the direction he's facing - it was completely arbitrary. 

Didn't even realize I'd placed him facing a different direction 

until you pointed it out.  

Just a lighthearted cartoon. That's all.

Totally get it. He thinks it's funny. Some other people might too! But it does open up a discussion about the stigma surrounding homeschool kids and families - as one can see, they are mostly misunderstood...

First, I feel like a lot of people still don't really "get" homeschooling - it's growing more and more common but it's still not the norm... many people actually still think if kids learn at home, they are missing out on all the fun... maybe even missing out on a life their parents had. Of course we understand the opposite is true!

Geocaching - Fall 2017

Spending allowance money on a survival compass - Fall 2017

Art - learning to draw - Spring 2017

Spending time with his piggy Rocket - Spring 2017

Learning about crystals - experiments - Spring 2017

Studying the earth's layers with Rice Krispies and marshmallows - Spring 2017

Of course every homeschool parent knows school at home is not all sunshine and rainbows and fun science projects and field trips! But most of the time it is interesting and wonderful and a slower paced more fulfilling life!

Second, I feel like everyone has different reasons for homeschooling but one thing this artist may not have intended to accurately represent is the fact that all the fish in school are swimming the same way, while Pete is swimming the other way... I see him as a leader! He's an individual! Yay Pete! Where is your smile Pete? =D This should definitely not make you sad!

Of course children in public school are given opportunities to shine as individuals and leaders at times, (not saying they aren't!) but they ARE also highly influenced by peer pressure and pressured by the culture to "swim" the same way. As a product of public schools, good ones I might add, I know this to be true! "Traditional" schools breed insecurity and obviously homeschooled kids have much less pressure to conform. Maybe that's why they seem "weird" sometimes, carrying on conversations with adults and loving unpopular subjects like math and literature... 

As far as facing the opposite way means learning less as one mom took the comic? Not the case... homeschooling is the equivalent of having a private tutor and most homeschooled kids are ahead of their peers. Not that anyone is comparing! Again - we are raising individuals who learn at their own pace and develop a love for learning in a noncompetitive environment!

Third, a more accurate representation (in my opinion) of education would be the school of fish being scooped from the ocean and poured into a large confined tank and Pete still swimming in the great big ocean with his family of fish and all the other creatures of the sea because... Pete's education isn't limited to a fish bowl! He's not limited to a strict schedule... or desk... or classroom... or posture for learning. He doesn't have to raise his hand to use the bathroom. He can munch on apple slices while working on his math worksheet... and he can take frequent trampoline breaks to get the "wiggles" out! He can even pace the room or do pushups while reading if he needs to! If anything, Pete has more freedom to move and learn and explore!

Science experiment - Fall 2017

Rock climbing - Fall 2017

Still... many people look at my kids as if they are in a glass bowl - studying them, judging them.. because they are not in traditional school. Oh the grocery store during the weekdays... They are under a microscope, under scrutiny, their knowledge casually tested by strangers and family members more often than kids going to a traditional school to make sure they are learning at the same rate, or are they learning at an accelerated rate compared to others their age??... I often feel like I'm being observed as well! Am I qualified to teach? Homeschooling can be very isolating in those ways!

Fourth, hey - it was meant to be a joke.. haha... The artist even said it was a lighthearted comic not meant to be read into so much. I don't think we should get all riled up about it... and I don't really find it offensive. I get it... But honestly I do find it ignorant... no offense but Mr. Scott Hillburn is living under a rock when it comes to school choice and the benefits of homeschool vs the traditional classroom! Are we still, in this day and age, perpetrating these misnomers about homeschool? I hope not... Welcome to the 21st century, Mr. Hillburn! Homeschool ROCKS! =D And I'm truly grateful to be able to do it! The sacrifices are a privilege!

And here's our personal experience... our kids are NOT begging to go to a "traditional" school. It's the other way around! 

In our community, on our street, a handful of neighborhood friends who are ready to put their uniforms on and ride the bus to school next Monday are begging to spend the day in OUR house, asking to be a part of Goldbach Academy so they can be homeschooled instead! True story!

Kids will adjust to what their parents decide is best for them. And parents love their kids and make choices they feel are best for their children! 

I just thought this black and white comic deserved a little color and illumination on the reality of homeschooling. Guess it's the educator in me... 

Our little school of fish aren't sad, aren't confined, aren't missing out, and don't want to jump into the big tank and join the other school of fish. They are perfectly content to learn here at home, and in the big wide world, and so are we!

Love to all you homeschool folks... here's to raising individuals! Happy School Year to all the "Petes" out there and their faithful moms and dads who help them everyday develop a love for learning!

His, Mama G

Update:

A talented homeschool kid drew a new comic, reflecting her experience and sent it to the artist! He complimented her drawing.