OLATHE, Kan. -- Whether their child is just beginning to test her conversation skills or learning to craft her first online profile, parents will have a new resource to lean on in their quest to raise confident, thoughtful communicators in a fast-paced, multi-media world.
In her new book, Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World (available Tuesday, September 16), Christa Melnyk Hines, a freelance journalist and a family communication researcher, shows parents how to raise more conscientious communicators by underscoring the timeless skills that children need to develop into happier and more empowered adults.
“Raising our kids to think critically and develop a strong set of boundaries may sound obvious. But, in a world where instant gratification is the norm, revived attention to a core set of traditional communication skills can better prepare kids to move gracefully into the online world,” Hines says.
Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected is a handy field guide that takes parents through two sections packed with practical tips, realistic advice and helpful resources. The first section covers “old-school communication skills every child needs to learn,” like basic manners, conversation skills, listening, conflict resolution and the art of a good apology.
“From the time they are very young, raising kids to slow down and interact with the world in a deliberate, conscious way will help guide their decisions in how they choose to interact with others as they move into the digital environment,” she says.
In the second half of the book, Hines heads into the digital world, sharing the “new-school communication skills every child needs to learn,” including tips about smartphone etiquette; playing safe in cyberspace; online reputation management; and the many ways technology can be used in a healthy, educational way.
“For parents who fear their child’s involvement in the digital age, this book provides suggestions and guidelines to help keep the child safe and the parents sane,” says Jennifer Sears, a mom of two. “The digital age is not going away, so this book will be my first tool in teaching my children how to have positive experiences with the wealth of information available on the Internet.”
Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, September 16, at http://www.christamelnykhines.com/happy-healthy-hyperconn.... The book will also be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com, iBook, and other global e-retailers. A paperback version of the book is in the works.
About Christa Melnyk Hines:
Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance journalist, family communication expert and author. Described as a “relatable, down-to-earth writer,” her articles appear monthly in national and regional publications across North America including The Costco Connection, Parents, Calgary’s Child, San Diego Family and Kansas City Parent.
In addition to Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected, Christa is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, which helps moms overcome isolation and strike a healthy balance in their social lives.
Christa resides in the Kansas City area with her family, which includes her husband, two active boys and a pair of lovable mutts. To learn more about Christa, visit her at www.christamelnykhines.com
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