Mama Gone Geek: Calling On My Inner Science Nerd to Help Navigate the Ups and Downs of Parenthood

by Lynn Brunelle

How do you connect the artsy, science-nerd mom to the art and science of parenting? Lynn Brunelle shares her field trip through pregnancy and parenting, sprinkled with a sparkle of science, in this hilarious and awe-inspiring memoir.

"The book takes readers on an exuberant journey that combines maternal highs and lows with the joys of being a born science “nerd.” Brunelle recreates the magic of everyday family life with a scientist’s keen eye for detail and a parent’s faultless ear for mother-son dialogue."—Publishers Weekly

"Lynn loves being a mom, and she loves science. She relays tale after tale of how she engages her kids in wonder after wonder of the world around them—and around all of us. Her science enriches their lives and saves her sanity. Mama Gone Geek will do the same for you.”—Bill Nye, the Science Guy

With great enthusiasm, Lynn shows how she shares her inner geek--the part of her that is gleefully curious and wide-eyed with wonderment--with her children. For Lynn, science is the stardust that makes common things glow. Why not pass that magic along to the kids? When Lynn brought her passion for science into her parenting, it began to make all the difference to her and her kids. Her heart lifts when her boys are elbow-deep in mud searching for crystals and when she catches them debating whether a chicken is related to a dinosaur. Science isn't just for geeks. It's the future. If you're a parent or planning to become one, it's your future.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Science, Memoir, Family

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea was better than the execution here. It was a little all over the place, which made it feel pretty impersonal for a memoir.

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

With my husband having his Geek Dad books, I wanted to read more geek mama ones. This one definitely fit the bill! Fun stories of parenting and cool experiments to do with your children. I loved reading about Lynn's and her sons' wonder and thirst for scientific knowledge, and how she instilled that in them from a very young age. Being a nerd is something to be proud of.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but that isn't the author's fault. Think of it as a series of vignettes where a mother takes normal every day events to share principles of science with her kids. The thing that makes it a bit fun/different is the little science exercises at the end of every chapter that look fun for young children.

[Chelsea Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science is life!!

[Yiga · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - more of a fun light quick read, was hoping for more geekiness and ideas

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I learned and I cried, a lot. Such a great book.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not as entertaining as I thought it was going to be

[GlobeRunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It sure is a challenge to do a PhD when you have a hyperactive 2-year-old, but this book has already helped me - it's a real mood-booster and has given me lots of ideas for how to spend quality time with my daughter. We've both loved the experiments we've tried this far and look forward to trying more. Of course, I had to get up really early after sleepless nights to get a chance to read the book, but it was well worth it.

Strongly recommended to all parents of young children!

[Margaret Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual parenting memoir with the deep (and sometimes trivial) life issues and discussions about life with young children and how the author used scientific concepts to explain everything to her kids. The best part is that each chapter ends with a science experiment you can do with your kids to explain a concept to them.

[Liane Sharp-fuccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very funny! She is a science writer for Bill Nye and writes about raising her two boys. Unique way of looking at parenting issues with scientific explanations/descriptions! Loved loved loved!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Kept it on my bedside bookshelf and enjoyed it one hilarious (and often poignant) story at a time. A good read even if you don't have kids!

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this slice of life memoir, funny and touching. The experiments at the end of each chapter offer hours of learning fun to be shared with your favorite kids!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little concerned about the gimmick behind it, but it's thoughtful and educational. I wish I had known how to add science to a kid's life when it was relevant.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the wit and anecdotes refreshing. It made me want to bone up my science knowledge so I can use it at just the right moment

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were very good and compelling, some not so much.