Live Wires

In our competitive, digital world, parenting has become increasingly goal-oriented. Teens and parents alike are plagued by anxiety arising from the ultra-competitive college admissions process. Debates rage over best practices for guaranteeing prestigious Ivy-League admissions, and the age-old question of nature versus nurture still sparks battles among scientists, educators and parents. In this charged environment, how do we insulate our children against the forces of college frenzy, achievement mania and media explosion and still ignite the passion for learning and life that will bring them success? From her perspective as an educator, college counselor, parent and grandparent, Judy Muir uses the latest neuro-scientific findings to provide a voice of reason in the heated debate. She reminds us that—whether we act in the name of ego, fear or love—our children are not science projects to manipulate for optimum results. Each child is born with a specific set of genes. Only through understanding how these genes wire the brain can we create the environments that allow our children to attain the greatest genetic flourish possible. When we understand the real relationship between experience and the brain, we can help teens maximize their potential without harming them.