July 28th, 2009
Filed under MeMyBook&Eye, Reading + Writing | Comment (1)
Yes, I’m aware that it’s Tuesday and I’m tardy again. But, I couldn’t get past the alliteration.
Dumb and exposed. The seem to be the benchmark of popularity in our culture today. Just take a look at the television line-up to see how many overexposed reality shows are gracing the airways in the name of entertainment. Dumbing down looks to be the trend du jour. And the dress code is, well, low-slung and narrow in places where it used to be wide. ”I’m hot” seems to be the new mantra of a socially acceptable generation that values knowledge–not of books, but of almost every conceivable manifestation of popular culture. To be “in” the know is often the barometer of cool in the “whatever” generation. And, cool is getting younger and younger.
Roll camera on Geek Episode 2. My first selection for the MeMyBook&Eye solo book club has been Bringing Up Geeks by Marybeth Hicks. Marybeth was kind enough (many moons ago) to send me a copy of her book, and I decided to make it my first foray into the concept of a serialized review. It’s been another many moons since
Geek Episode 1 (insert well-intentioned excuse here), but I am no less a champion of this inspiring book. I’m determined to put some of the ideas into practice in my own home and create our own little geek colony here in Starkville MS.
[A note about MeMyBook&Eye: I'm not ashamed to say that it's all about me. Of course it's about the book, but more specifically, it's about what I'm thinking about the book. If you're following my (snail's pace) journey through Geekdom, it's almost like reading it yourself. Only not. Bringing Up Geeks is filled with very practical steps and advice for implementing many of the ideas Marybeth espouses. So, go pick up a copy and take a look at all the wisdom I've left out of my word count.]
As I quoted in Episode 1, Marybeth offers 10 geek strategies to help parents promote “innocence over exploitation, substance over style, and genuine self-esteem over superficial acceptance.” Sold. The first is “Raise a Brainiac.”
As Bug would say, “I like it!” The Brainiac lifestyle Marybeth describes values being smart over being cool. It’s about training and allowing my children to explore their God-given curiosity and creative spirits, independent of what others may see as popular. What a way to enstill confidence in following their passions and convictions as adults! Again, to me this book is so much about thinking beyond the moment, about parenting for adulthood. About raising my kids to be the kind of grown-ups that can impact the world. A few lessons stood out.
1. Raising a brainiac is about the process, not necessarily the trappings of achievement. It’s not hopped-up on status seeking, but finding the value and joy of learning along the way. Note to self: I was that kind of child–and am now that kind of adult. I want my gifts to believe they are smart and know that’s ok. In fact, it’s good.
2. I need to find ways to meet my child at his place of curiosity and encourage exploration. When curiosity is encouraged, confidence is gained. Marybeth writes, “As children gain confidence, they naturally reach further beyond their comfort zones to discover new and more interesting things. Confidence feeds curiousity, and curiosity fuels development.” (pg 39)
3. Pay attention. (hmmm. there’s that pesky theme again.) Marybeth enumerates the concept of 8 “intelligences” proposed by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University: linguistic (word smart), logical-mathematical (number/reasoning smart), spatial (picture smart), bodily-kinesthetic (body smart), musical (music smart), interpersonal (people smart), intrapersonal (self smart) and naturalist (nature smart). By watching and listening and playing, I can find each of my children’s particular area of smart expertise and feed it.
The second geek strategy is “Raise a Sheltered Kid.”
Raising a sheltered kid is about protecting innocence. But, I am immediately reminded that protecting innocence begins first, by valuing innocence. Not an easy task today. Take one look at Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan or Jon & Kate Plus 8 and it’s clear that in today’s culture innocence is something to be tossed away, or at the least hurried on through.
If there’s one lesson from this chapter, it is that protecting innocence is not a passive endeavor. I was so inspired to NOT give up my children’s innocence without a fight, without taking a stand. To not give it away for the sake of convenience or busy-ness or indifference or cowardice at ruffling a few parent or peer feathers. Marybeth wrote, “…I believe we lose sight of our children’s most basic needs when we focus on time limitation, the changing and pervasive nature of media technology, or the reactions from our children and their friends. The culture of cool has changed the way we have to approach our job as parents, demanding that we take the time, know the media landscape, and determine what’s really best for our kids.” (pg 62)
As a parent, it’s up to ME. I must take the time. I want to make clear and informed choices for my kids and not pass the responsibility on to other parents, other kids or the culture itself. My boys and Baby Girl (and the gifts they have to give) are too important to me and to this world.
The Sheltered Kid chapter is full of practical guidelines. Some of the internet practices the Hicks family has put in place, alone, are well-worth the purchase of this book. There is also some great foundational information about the nature of media messages themselves (which I think I’ll save for another post.)
Marybeth wrote about the negative reputation being a “sheltered kid” sometimes has–what with the ever-present need to be in-the-know at younger and younger ages. But, she really brought it back to the definition of a shelter itself, the purpose of which is to protect and shield. Although her children no doubt stand out in their lack of knowledge or participation in many things, she wrote, “They see our shelter as an expression of our unfailing commitment to assuring that their childhoods are a time of innocence and wonder, and they know our limits are a reflection of our love.” (pg 83)
Innocence and wonder. If those don’t warrant a shelter, what does?
Dumb and exposed. That description seems to be the benchmark of popularity in our culture today. Just take a look at the television line-up to see how many overexposed reality shows are gracing the airways in the name of entertainment. Dumbing down looks to be the trend du jour. And the dress code is, well, low-slung and narrow in places where it used to be wide. ”I’m hot” seems to be the new mantra of a socially acceptable generation that values knowledge–not of books, but of almost every conceivable manifestation of popular culture. To be “in the know” is often the barometer of cool in the “whatever” generation. And, cool is getting younger and younger.
Roll camera on Geek Episode 2. My first selection for the MeMyBook&Eye solo book club has been Bringing Up Geeks by Marybeth Hicks. Marybeth was kind enough (many moons ago) to send me a copy of her book, and I decided to make it my first foray into the concept of a serialized review. It’s been another many moons since Geek Episode 1 (insert well-intentioned excuse here), but I am no less a champion of this inspiring book.
As I quoted in Episode 1, Marybeth offers 10 geek strategies to help parents promote “innocence over exploitation, substance over style, and genuine self-esteem over superficial acceptance.” Sold. The first is “Raise a Brainiac.”
As Bug would say, “I like it!” The Brainiac lifestyle Marybeth describes values being smart over being cool. It’s about training and allowing my children to explore their God-given curiosity and creative spirits, independent of what others may see as popular. What a way to instill confidence in following their passions and convictions as adults! Again, to me this book is so much about thinking beyond the moment, about parenting for adulthood. It’s about raising my kids to be the kind of grown-ups that can impact the world. A few lessons stood out.
1. Raising a brainiac is about the process, not necessarily the trappings of achievement. It’s not hopped-up on status seeking, but finding the value and joy of learning along the way. Note to self: I was that kind of child–and am now that kind of adult. I want my gifts to believe they are smart and know that’s ok. In fact, it’s good and has lots of perks.
2. I need to find ways to meet my child at his place of curiosity and encourage exploration. When curiosity is encouraged, confidence is gained. Marybeth writes, “As children gain confidence, they naturally reach further beyond their comfort zones to discover new and more interesting things. Confidence feeds curiousity, and curiosity fuels development.” (pg 39)
3. Pay attention. (hmmm. there’s that pesky theme again.) Marybeth enumerates the concept of 8 “intelligences” proposed by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University: linguistic (word smart), logical-mathematical (number/reasoning smart), spatial (picture smart), bodily-kinesthetic (body smart), musical (music smart), interpersonal (people smart), intrapersonal (self smart) and naturalist (nature smart). By watching and listening and playing, I can find each of my children’s particular area of smart expertise and feed it.
The second geek strategy is “Raise a Sheltered Kid.”
Raising a sheltered kid is about protecting innocence. But, I can’t escape the truth that protecting innocence begins first, by valuing innocence. Not an easy task today. Take one look at Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan or Jon & Kate Plus 8 and it’s clear that in today’s culture innocence is something to be tossed away, or at the least hurried on through.
Protecting innocence is not a passive endeavor. Through this chapter I was so inspired to NOT give up my children’s innocence without a fight, without taking a stand. To not give it away for the sake of convenience or busy-ness or indifference or cowardice at ruffling a few parent or peer feathers. Marybeth wrote, “…I believe we lose sight of our children’s most basic needs when we focus on time limitation, the changing and pervasive nature of media technology, or the reactions from our children and their friends. The culture of cool has changed the way we have to approach our job as parents, demanding that we take the time, know the media landscape, and determine what’s really best for our kids.” (pg 62)
As a parent, it’s up to ME. I must take the time. I want to make clear and informed choices for my kids and not pass the responsibility on to other parents, other kids or the culture itself. My boys and Baby Girl (and the gifts they have to give) are too important to me and to this world.
The Sheltered Kid chapter is full of practical guidelines. Some of the internet practices the Hicks family has put in place, alone, are well-worth the purchase of this book. There is also some great foundational information about the nature of media messages themselves (which I think I’ll save for another post.)
Marybeth wrote about the negative reputation being a “sheltered kid” sometimes has–what with the ever-present need to be in-the-know at younger and younger ages. But, she really brought it back to the definition of a shelter itself, the purpose of which is to protect and shield. Although her children no doubt stand out in their lack of knowledge or participation in many things, she wrote, “They see our shelter as an expression of our unfailing commitment to assuring that their childhoods are a time of innocence and wonder, and they know our limits are a reflection of our love.” (pg 83)
Innocence and wonder. If those don’t warrant a shelter, what does?
*Update: Read Geek Episode #3
© Haley Montgomery
Great post! Based on your recommendation in Geek Episode #1, I bought the book a few weeks ago, and like you, I’m impressed! So much of what Marybeth says is what we have done, but not necessarily had words to describe. I found that very encouraging. But she also has so many other ideas and philosophies and just downright practical suggestions that I easily envision making this an annual read. Thanks for pointing me toward a great book!