How To Grow Your Geek: Parenting and More!

In this episode, the first thing I do is review the new book by Phil Rink – Jimi & Isaac 1a: School Soccer. This book is a wonderful story of how trying something new and changing up habits is a good thing which can lead you to discovering talents you didn’t know you had! You can pick it up here at Amazon – please support independent authors that you like! Thanks to Phil for the book, and we look forward to more in this fun series, aimed at upper elementary and middle schoolers. Air-dry clay, cardboard, acrylic craft paints and printed pictures Then I discuss two different topics that work well together – supplies for school projects and having lots of craft supplies for cold, dreary afternoons with bored kids. I list basic supplies to have on hand that are good for all ages, and then talk about how we’ve used some more advanced supplies in craft projects and how that can be helpful for those school dioramas and models. Check out these pics for some of the projects I mention. Geronimo Stilton puppet made from polymer clay, pipe cleaners, construction paper, tape and a wooden dowel Polymer clay organelles in a glycerin soap cell model Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek-at-gmail-dot-com, or call my voicemail number at (678) 235-GROW (4769) and leave your thoughts. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek! Logo Art by Tim Coffey Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton Promo: Technorama and Tuning in to SciFi TV

This week, I recommend the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, rant a bit about SOPA, wax poetic about the accents in a production of A Christmas Carol, and give advice about remembering others less fortunate in this holiday season! Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek-at-gmail-dot-com, or call my NEW voicemail number at (678) 235-GROW (4769) and leave your thoughts. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek! Logo Art by Tim Coffey Theme music and Chiron Beta Prime courtesy of Jonathan Coulton

In this episode, I recommend a number of YA books and a couple of video games, in case you need a few gift ideas for your little geek! Here’s the list of books reviewed (not all pictured above): Leviathan, Behemoth and Goliath (The Leviathan Series #1-3) by Scott Westerfield Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher The Alchemist (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1) by Michael Scott The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) and The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) by Rick Riordan The Summoning (Darkest Powers Series #1) by Kelley Armstrong And these games I recommend – I’ve not played them yet, but the reviews are good, and we’re getting them! Little Big Planet 2 by Sony (PS3) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordby Nintendo (Wii) Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek-at-gmail-dot-com, or call my NEW voicemail number at (678) 235-GROW (4769) and leave your thoughts. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek! Logo Art by Tim Coffey Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton Promo: Adventures in SciFi Publishing and Tuning in to SciFi TV

This episode, I once again tackle a sensitive subject – keeping our kids safe. With all of the press about child predators and sexual abuse, we need to teach our kids what is appropriate behavior with other people, and what shouldn’t be tolerated and should be reported. Also, our kids need to know how to be safe online, both using the internet safely, whether observed or using a parental control program like SafeEyes. Finally, how to teach kids in order to protect their privacy while being online, in both social media sites, chats and gaming. *Correction – I stated that SafeEyes had been purchased by Norton, but it actually was purchased by McAfee. I also see that it has been given the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, so it has some really good recommendations out there! The national Sex Offender registry can be found here, but you should also search for registries in your specific area! Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek-at-gmail-dot-com, or call my voicemail number at (678) 235-GROW (4769) and leave your thoughts. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek! Logo Art by Tim Coffey Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton Promo: Technorama and Podculture