Book Review: Bringing Up Geeks

It took me a little while before settling down to read Bringing Up Geeks. The main reason is that when Marybeth Hicks sent it to me for my perusal it was with the note that she had read my blog and thought that we had similar values and felt that her book matched my parenting skills well.

This was of course prior to the incident with my youngest who had gotten into serious trouble at school, and so I honestly wasn't feeling worthy that I was in fact bringing up Genuine Enthusiastic Empowered Kids. I mean I agree with the Enthusiastic and empowered part for both of my girls, but I could hardly describe my child's recent actions as being genuine. So the book began to gather dust on my computer while I sat consumed with guilt that I had become so unaware.

In the last week I sat down and read about " how to protect your kid's childhood in a grow-up-to-fast world" and realized that overall I have been doing a good job, and that I shouldn't;t be so hard on myself. That being said, I am ready and able to handle this review.

From the first chapter of "Raising a Brainiac" made me feel very validated, because both of my girls know how much I value education and being a part of theirs. I am at school volunteering or subbing on a weekly basis to stay in touch with the school on where my girls are academically. John Mark and I model daily how important it is to be a reader, and the whole family falls asleep every night with books in hand. I concur that Marybeth hits the nail on the head with making sure Education remains the top priority no matter what your child's social life is.

Her next few chapters go into detail of raising a sheltered child, an uncommon child, a kid adults like,and a team player. These were all things I felt I was right on top of.

The chapters I am reading more closely and feel we can work on better include: Raising a late bloomer, a homebody (well Regan is, but Rebecca is way social...I try to steer her friends here though), a principled kid, and a faithful kid.

This book is such a testament to how much character is a part of your child's development, and how you can mold and model it better. She gives clear examples and easy to read guidelines to make a more empowered parent out of anyone. I have to personally thank Marybeth Hicks for sending me Bringing Up Geeks at such a particularly rough time in my parenting life, and it has helped us get right back on track to my raising true GEEKS. I highly recommend this book to any parent who struggles raising their kids in a very fast paced world.