What about Socializing? Homeschooling and Friends

I want to discuss this big homeschooler question with you... and then I'm going to share some experiences as well as talk a bit about how my daughter's use of Oak Meadow has truly supported this approach of ours. 
It's a big blogpost today, as we approach August and a lot of readers are considering or embarking on homeschooling next month. 

As a homeschooler, I've been planning and discussing our social studies experiences in various homeschooling reports for years now.
My kids and I have used the umbrella term to cover everything from selling eggs at a stall at the end of our drive as a way to study business, to learning about geography and different countries, cultures and then back to our own.
There was also the year I created the Emotional Awareness and Law of Attraction Sections from the Spiritual Kids Course and used them for Social Studies.

This year though, my kids and I have been truly studying the true meaning of the term.

Studying Socializing.
Yes. That's right.
See a few months ago our girls asked if they could go down to the city to attend a local mini comic con. They worked for ages on their costumes, hand sewing each small detail, and we drove them down to see what would be the result.
Well, they met up with a group of new friends, whom they have been in touch with ever since. From playdates in the park to video calls, they have dove into the deep end of friendships which even resulted in the group going to an alternative prom in June. They are so happy and are loving the new paradigm shift with LOTS OF NEW EXPERIENCES. 
Saying that...
I have really been appreciating being here in the country these past few months as it's given our girls the opportunity to practice all of this in slow motion in a lot of ways.
They go into socializing experiences and then are able to retreat, observing how things have flowed and learning from each experience. They've been "caught up" a few times, but then faced it head on and developed the skills to get clarity, shift focuses and shine as themselves each time.

When people discuss homeschooling the point most often brought up is “what about socializing?”
well after the last few months, I'm actually fascinated by this question!

3 things I've learnt with my teens which I'm finding is really vital to keep at the forefront of focus with them when discussing friends and the world.

1. The question What makes you feel like YOU? Encouraging our children to feel true to themselves (and not to us) is really vital. What tools can they put in place to connect to themselves authentically (I usually suggest a bathroom break, or deep breathing) What indicators occur within themselves that signify not feeling connected to the greater part of themselves? (I know with myself, my voice starts to rise into my head range).
2. Remind yourself about mirror neurons. Did you know that your brain will register what you see and link it with what you do? That's why we can all be so strongly influenced by peer pressure, because we naturally pick up the energy or behaviour of others. There was a video about this recently on FB, pointing out that's why we often yawn when we see someone else yawn, or why we often mimic other people's body language. Create a conscious decision of the person you wish to be and surround yourself with people who resonate with that.​
3. It's never about good people or bad people... rather people who make choices and people who don't and just follow along. Its not a judgement against anyone  to say no or to say yes. Rather, know that we are all capable of ANYTHING and it is only the choices that we make, and the alignment we find within that keeps us clear and capable of saying no to doing something simply because it doesn't feel connected to Who We Really Are.
4. The law of attraction is always responding. So, to maintain connection to who you really are, and an attraction point of your greatest good, then find the quiet, the tools, and inner space to develop the world within that you wish to dwell in.

(and then there's the tip for me as well. To remember to TRUST THEM and not be guided by fear. I'm honest with them entirely about my concerns or perceptions  and I think we're managing working through things together as a team.)

My daughter, Gia and I found it funny how we were looking so deeply at actual social studies while she was working through the topic in her Grade 8 Oak Meadow. (Life reflects, what can I tell you?)
And yet, this curriculum literally supported the concept of looking around ourselves and choosing what to see and give attention to!

The subject was actually in Civics, so it covered a fair amount of government studies and how society actually works (the curriculum is based on the American Government, so as a Canadian we had to switch a few things around. Gia researched the differences between each country's constitutions, and parliamentary branches etc rather than just the projects given).
She also wrote our local municipality to discuss zoning laws and building permits, learnt about taxes and how society functions.
However, when it started looking at freedoms, and heroes who had stood up for those freedoms as well as how to develop skills to help others, that the curriculum took an exciting turn.
Oak Meadow dives deeper into the power of each individual person,  by offering our children tools in “Decision Making” Relationships and Communication and “Using Anger Constructively”! It was truly magnificent as it empowered the student to truly decide who they want to BE!
At first I was concerned that the Civics chapter of the Grade 8 Oak Meadow was going to be focused purely on being a “good citizen. That's a term that has often come up in Social Studies lessons, and one I feel lacking, as when we give children tools to be the best versions of themselves they authentically show up as good citizens, organically being considerate and conscious individuals.
However, I was excited to see that Oak Meadow was able to create the full cycle of social understanding, passing on how society works, our roles in it and how to create light and love in the world as well.

My daughter has adapted so well to having active friendships and consciously living in society. We are able to discuss things pragmatically and clearly, and I think the combination of Oak Meadow's Grade 8 curriculum and tiptoeing back and forth in and out of the world has stretched those socializing muscles perfectly.
They appear to be getting stronger and stronger each day.


As you may have guessed I am over the moon excited about the Oak Meadow curriculum which has transformed my 14 year old daughter's homeschooling experience. From resisting learning to embracing it and mostly working through a curriculum self led, she is truly thriving in confidence and education. If you have any questions about the curriculum or our experience with it, please feel free to message me and I'll share all I know. (But I also know the staff there is one of the most amazing teams out there, they are so helpful and friendly.)