Carly Dwyer Naik (CDN) of Intramersive and world-renowned motivational speaker, comedian, and YouTube sensation Kristina Kuzmic (KK) discuss her Hope and Humor Tour and what it’s like to be back on the North Shore.
To purchase tickets to see Kristina Kuzmic May 17th at the Lynn Auditorium visit, www.lynnauditorium.com
CDN: You grew up in multiple cultures, how have each of these cultures influenced your outlook on parenting? Do you have any advice for other families raising their children between multiple cultures?
KK: Every culture has something different to offer when it comes to parenting. In Croatia, family is everything, including extended family. This is still a part of who I am today. Family is so important to me, and that includes my husband’s family. My in-laws live less than a mile from my house and I love that. We see them daily. (It helps that they’re the nicest, most non-judgmental people ever!) They are a very big part of our lives.
I also try to incorporate some Croatian traditions into our family, even though my kids are being raised in the U.S. What I would say to anyone raising their children between multiple cultures is don’t be closed off to parenting styles of other cultures. There’s so much we can learn from them, so many new experiences we can have. Take the best part of each one and create your new family culture from both.
CDN: What’s it like returning to the North Shore now for the Hope and Humor Tour?
KK: Boston is still one of my favorite cities in the world! I feel like I’m going to be extra emotional during the Lynn show. When my family moved from Croatia, we moved to Massachusetts. I went to high school in Hamilton. My first two children were born in Beverly. I feel like I am going back to my US home. Don’t tell the other cities, but this show is the one I am looking forward to the most!
What I would say to anyone raising their children between multiple cultures is don’t be closed off to parenting styles of other cultures. There’s so much we can learn from them, so many new experiences we can have.
Kristina Kuzmic
CDN What were your favorite things to do on the North Shore during your teenage years? What is on your must-do list while you’re back? What has
changed over the years that has surprised you?
KK: My favorite things about the North Shore are the arts and culture that are available here. I found a real love for theater when I was in high school and I ended up getting a degree in theater which ultimately has led me to do what I’m doing today. I also loved how much more blunt people in Mass are than in California (where I live now). Unfortunately, I’ll be in Massachusetts for less than 24 hours this time around (I’m doing 4 shows in a row in 4 different states!) so that doesn’t give me much time, but I am most looking forward to seeing old friends!
CDN: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received on parenting, and, what’s the worst?
KK: The best piece of advice was probably to not try to be perfect. Stop beating yourself up for not being super-human! And don’t stress over the stuff that won’t even matter in the long run. The worst piece of advice was to have a schedule and stick to it at all times no matter what. It sounds like a good idea, but life is unpredictable! And then when we can’t stick to a plan we set, we end up feeling inadequate. In other words, completely unnecessary guilt that we parents pile on ourselves. When I became a parent, I realized that I can’t write my plans in a sharpie. I have to use a pencil with a great eraser instead. I say, have a schedule, but be flexible enough to erase and re-write when you need to.
The best piece of advice was probably to not try to be perfect. Stop beating yourself up for not being super-human!
Kristina Kuzmic
CDN: What events are you excited about being a part of in the near future?
KK: I am super excited for the rest of the tour! But also, I have a book called “Hold On But Don’t Hold Still” that is being released in February of 2020. I get so many emails from people asking how I got from hating my life to being where I am today. And as much as I want to, I don’t have the ability to respond to all of those emails! But this book is kind of like a “reply all”. The book is a look at my life in more details – the funny stuff and the raw stuff. And then, of course, just looking forward to creating more videos that hopefully bring parents hope and laughter.
For more information on Kristina visit, www.kristinakuzmic.com and to purchase tickets to see her May 17th show at the Lynn Auditorium visit, www.lynnauditorium.com
