6 Fabulous Tips to Help Your Kids Grow Up

As school winds down and the days get warmer and longer, parents start to think about how to keep their kids learning this summer.

Author Maribeth Kuzmeski has an idea – what she calls the Fourth “R” – and that’s relationships. In her new book, co-authored with her daughter Lizzie, Kuzmeski offers 6 ways to help your children break away from electronics (texting, gaming, internet) and start learning how to build one of the most important aspect of being an adult – building relationships, while your family is on vacation this summer.

“As we move forward into the future, we can’t honestly predict what the job market will look like for our kids—other than that it will be different from what we know now,” asserts Kuzmeski, author of the new book The Engaging Child: Raising Children to Speak, Write, and Have Relationship Skills Beyond Technology (Red Zone Publishing, 2012, ISBN: 978-0-9717780-3-0, $18.95). “One thing’s for sure: In times of uncertainty, problem solving, innovation, and collaboration are going to be critical to success. And the abilities to forge relationships and communicate effectively are at the heart of all of those skill sets.”

Here are her 6 tips to help make your summer vacation full of teachable moments for your children:

Order at a restaurant – have your child call for reservations, order their own meals and interact with the server. Encourage your child to thank their server when the meal arrives and ask for anything specific the table needs.

Take charge of the hotel check in – when you arrive at your vacation destination, bring your child to the check in desk with you. They can even say “we’re here to check in. The reservation is under Smith. Can we have an oceanfront view?”

While you’re staying, encourage them to take charge of anything the family needs by calling down to the desk for extra towels or ordering room service. Your child could even compliment the service to the manager when you check out, if you had a good experience. Kuzmeski says this kind of adult interaction really helps set kids up for better relationships in the future. What better way to help them learn these types of things while you supervise?

Make a new friend at the pool – or anywhere around the resort or area you are staying in. Encourage your child to take a break from texting friends back home and meet someone new. This could strike up a new email friendship or become someone you come back and visit the next year.

“You’ll be doing your kids a big favor if you help them to become confident in introducing themselves to and getting to know new people,” Kuzmeski confirms. “This is a skill that will help them not only on vacations, but at school, in sports leagues, and, later in life, in the workplace. Just think of how many opportunities might open up for your child throughout his life through a simple, ‘Hi. My name is Michael. I’d like to get to know you better!’”

Have them arrange one of your activities – have your child research the local interests and find out the logistics of the activity – times, fees, big group rates, etc.

“Make sure to help them organize the whole itinerary, including when you need to leave and what to take with you (a picnic lunch, sunscreen, towels, etc.).” says Kuzmeski. “I promise, your children will enjoy the activity that much more knowing that they made it happen from start to finish!” (kind of like when they make their own meals, by the way…)

Have them take lessons – maybe there are sailing or tennis lessons where you are staying. If money is tight, have them attend a local church or temple or check out a local group’s Girl Scout meeting. “Getting involved in activities at your vacation destination is a great way to connect with people who have similar interests and talents,” Kuzmeski asserts.

Type a letter home – either send a postcard or compose an email back home or to a grandparent or other friend or relative. Taking the time to write during summer break is a great way for them to flex their writing muscles during the long break. Encourage them to use descriptive words (my kids call these “juicy” words) to give a good account of what they experienced.

“Writing home in one way or another is a great opportunity to hone writing skills and e-mail etiquette, and it’ll probably be more fun for your kids than working on a report or paper for school. Plus, people love to receive ‘wish you were here!’ messages,” she says.

Maribeth Kuzmeski, MBA, CSP, is the author of six books including …And the Clients Went Wild! and The Connectors (Wiley), and is a frequent national media contributor and international speaker. Maribeth and her firm, Red Zone Marketing, Inc., consult and train businesses from financial services firms to Fortune 500 corporations on strategic marketing planning and business growth. She has personally consulted with some of the world’s most successful CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Maribeth lives in the Chicago, IL, area with her husband and two teenagers.

Marijo Tinlin is the Editor in Chief of Family First, one of the oldest family-oriented websites on the internet. She is also the author of a book about patriotism and teaching our children to love this country called “How to Raise an American Patriot, Making it Okay for Our Kids to Be Proud to Be American.”  It features 13 interviews with patriotic Americans including Ed Meese, Erick Erickson and Jackie Gingrich Cushman. It’s available at www.raisinganamericanpatriot.com.