Maybe it is hip to be square — and being a geek could be just the formula for happiness and success.

Marybeth Hicks, author of Bringing up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid’s Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World, says today’s geek isn’t a social misfit. She’s just a good, wholesome kid who’s not so caught up in pop culture that she lets it define who she is. Hicks, a mother of four, advises parents on how to raise a genuine, enthusiastic, empowered kid (GEEK):

Who’s the boss?: Strive for obedience that says, “I’m the parent and what I say goes,” and teaches respect for authority. So as you move through the years from “don’t throw dirt” to “have the car home by 11pm,” you’ll get compliance.

Brainiacs: Feed your child’s curiosity. Show excitement about the things in which she’s interested — dinosaurs, space, ancient Egyptian mummies. For parenting purposes, being a brainiac is about an enthusiasm for learning and not IQ or performance (although they’re all likely to converge at some point).

Media filter: Make sure that the media coming into your home reflects what you value. You can’t control everything they’re exposed to in the outside world, but your home is your castle.

Friends: Friendships are fluid and will change throughout your child’s life. Your child’s first BFF can easily morph from a sweet, affable angel to a midriff-baring A-list wannabe oozing attitude. The key is not to judge but simply acknowledge that you do things differently in your house.

B&W: Using the words good/bad and right/wrong is OK. Some activities — spitting in another child’s face or slapping a sibling — are bad behavior no matter what the context. Authentic self-esteem comes from knowing you are truly good and exhibit proper behavior.

Visit bringingupgeeks.com.

– L.B.

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