Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected

Thanks to our multi-media world, our children can communicate with others like never before. But are they gaining the timeless interpersonal skills they need now and into the future? Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World shows parents how to raise more conscientious communicators by underscoring the skills that every person needs to feel happier and more empowered.

Thanks to our multi-media world our children can communicate with others like never before. But are they still gaining the timeless interpersonal skills that they need now and into the future? Technology doesn’t have to water down the richness of our interactions. Guiding our children to communicate thoughtfully and considerately, whether online or offline, will help them develop into more successful, confident young men and women who enjoy happier, more fulfilling lives. Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected will help parents to: - Prepare children of all ages to be thoughtful, more confident communicators. - Learn one of the simplest ways to help kids begin establishing healthy boundaries, which are integral to staying safe and avoiding toxic relationships. -Teach timeless skills that everyone needs in order to feel empowered and happy. -Foster smart phone and social media etiquette. -Gain a stronger understanding of social media technology, including blogging, podcasting and gaming. -Nurture savvy, proactive social media users.

Christa Melnyk Hines is an author, freelance journalist and family communication expert. Described as a “relatable, down-to-earth writer,” her articles appear monthly in national and regional publications across North America. Through her work, Christa enjoys exploring the numerous ways healthy communication creates happier, stronger families. In addition to Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World, Christa is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, which helps moms build and sustain a thriving, balanced social life that supports their emotional health. With Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected, Christa continues to bring to light issues surrounding connection and communication concerning today’s families. Christa holds a B.A. in speech communication with a minor in journalism from Texas A&M University and a M.A. in speech communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Research for her master’s thesis on the use of social media in public relations expanded her interest in how our modern society communicates both from an individual and a business standpoint. Her article based on her thesis was published in the Journal of New Communication Research. As the mom of two boys, Christa understands the worries that parents have about striking the right balance between the offline and online worlds to help set the tone for a healthy, grounded family. She is encouraged by the many ways in which technology allows families to connect without losing sight of the traditional skills that emphasize thoughtful, considerate communication. She believes that raising kids with a well-rounded set of communication skills will distinguish them in our global high-tech environment as they grow into adulthood and pursue their dreams. Committed to creating avenues for connection, she facilitates a Facebook group for moms called “Confidently Connected Moms” where she invites members to connect with each other to celebrate and discuss the journey of motherhood in a positive online environment. In this context, Christa shares timely resources, as well as news and information about her own work as a writer and family communication researcher. When she isn’t writing, she can be found trying to keep up with her busy family, which includes her golf-impassioned husband, two active children and a pair of lovable mutts. She resides with her family in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.