The Brainy Bunch, by Kip and Mona Lisa Harding

Kip and Mona Lisa Harding would want us to believe that their family is not at all exceptional, that their kids are not genius, and that any family can send their kids to college at the age of twelve.  Maybe they're right.  The story they tell in The Brainy Bunch: The Harding Family's Method to College Read by Age Twelve will make you wonder what your own kids could accomplish, given the right inspiration and motivation.

Genius or not, this family is impressive.  The Hardings have created and fostered a love of learning and education in their home and have provided the tools, time and resources for the kids to follow their academic interests.  Going to college at age 12 might not be for everyone, but The Brainy Bunch forced me to ask Why not?  Thinking about my own high school experience, which included honors classes and a high class ranking, I know there were way too many wasted hours, both by me and by the curriculum, teachers, and school requirements.  Parents of young, motivated kids would do well to check out the Hardings' experience and consider whether their own children would have the desire and ability to follow in the Hardings' footsteps.

The Hardings are unabashed fans of home schooling.  Some of their comments made me cringe and think, "Why are my kids in public school?!"  For example, "We do not feel that strangers should educate our children."  "Your children's being instructed by you, the one who loves and knows your children the most, is far better than being in a crowded classroom and taught by an overworked teacher who cannot give them the individual attention they need."  And think about this when your trying to get the family out the door: "There is no morning rush to get dressed, eat breakfast, pack the lunches, finish last-minute homework, load up the car, and fight traffic to drop off kids at school.  Homeschoolers can have peace in the morning instead of the mad rat race to get everyone to school on time."  How many hours a week does my wife send driving the kids back and forth to school?  Ugh.

So I read The Brainy Bunch with a mix of feelings.  Even though I think my family has made the right choice for our family to send our kids to public school, after initially homeschooling for 3 years, the success of the Harding children makes me think "That could be us!"  And the Hardings write in such a way that makes it seem possible for other families to emulate their experiences.  At the same time, their story leaves me with feelings of inadequacy and failure.  Shouldn't my kids be excelling on the ACT at age 10?  Why don't my kids have a passion for a profession by age 12?  Am I not fostering the right atmosphere at home?

The Brainy Bunch primarily trumpets the accomplishments of the Harding kids.  But there is a practical element, too.  By example and with specific tips and resources, they give a model that a homeschool family can follow.  They don't have much good to say about public schools, so don't expect to feel affirmed in your well-thought-out decision to send your children to public or private school.  Try to read The Brainy Bunch with thick skin, so you don't fall into comparison and inadequacy.  Read with an open and adventurous mind, and let them challenge you to free your children to escape the limits of traditional educational structures and schedules.


Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!