Testimonials and Reviews of the ABCs journal:

Testimonials:

“The ABCs journal reads to me like an interactive journal. The book’s premise is right on: our vocabulary and our world view undergird how we function in the most crucial role as parent. I like it very much. It is thought provoking and gentle. It encourages critical self-reflexivity and is written in a style that would allow a busy parent to just pick up and go. It also made me think of the vocabulary that shifts as our parenting mission shifts. It made me want to use it in a reading group that I would like to facilitate with other moms in my neighborhood. The ABCs journal also allows you to keep a gratitude journal, and it focuses your gratitude on the parent-child relationship.” ~ Rosaria Butterfield, Pastor’s wife, mother of 4, author, January, 2010 and 2013 https://rosariabutterfield.com/

“In today’s media and electronic-driven culture are you finding it difficult to ‘unplug’ and connect with your children? Do you feel overwhelmed with this whole ‘parenting thing’? Then this resource is for you! Karen writes from experience and from the heart. Her sage advice will give you doable-now action steps that will give you hope in your parenting journey.” ~ Cathy, grandmother of 5, December, 2012

“ABCs Connection is an innovative and original approach to develop meaningful relations between children and parents of any age. Complete with thought-provoking concepts and engaging activity suggestions, this journaling tool encourages strong bonds with your child(ren) or parents. Mrs. Wallace is to be applauded for her creative and minimalist approach in applying truth to life’s relationships.” ~ Catrin Joyner, wife of one, mother of 4, December, 2012

“Love the ABCs…I am getting so much from your book! Every day I have had the page open to a new letter and throughout the day I look at it and think about [how] it applies, or can apply, to my family. It is just wonderful and I look forward to each new day and each new letter.” ~ Sandra Welch, November, 2006

“As I have looked at your book, it grows richer for me. Hidden in what could seem elementary – the ABCs – is depth and opportunity.”

~ Cheryl Reinhardt, Parenting and Creativity Coach, January, 2005

Reviews:

"What a unique concept: a book that contains titles and hooks to explore a website with teaching vignettes. A book with an open invitation to learn by doing." ~ Bob Durrance, November, 2004 [Read more below]

"Dear Karen. Most interesting in your new book is the scarcity of material objects used as relational catalysts and memory icons; your mantra: close and nurturing relationships form the framework of righteous learning, as well as catalysts and fertile soils for social, cognitive and moral maturation.

I ask all of my students at the beginning of my courses: Define your personal concept of learning. For sixth graders, the word concept strains their working lexicons. Learning—well, this word receives a variety of treatments from studying a lot of different “stuff” to making better grades. Seventh graders express their ideas more cautiously (we must not damage or bruise our social image among peers), the greater percentage equating learning to knowing or understanding “things.” Eighth graders? …are more interested in self, cell phones, hanging with friends in the mall and what Sally said about Roy in the hallway. A very, very small percentage of middle schoolers make the vital connection between learning and “demonstrating new knowledge.” I assure them, unless you can demonstrate the new knowledge you’re exposed to each day, no evidence of learning can be verified. This standard of measurement rattles a great number of egos, and creates puff-adder pride. However, the proof is in the pudding.

Your book is an open invitation to learn by “doing.” And a challenge for readers to keep a journal of the relationship growth and development occurring with self and children. Your book is not for the couch-potato caregiver looking for the path of least resistance, or the fully illustrated, CD-encyclopedia for child rearing. I pray that your prospective readership will fathom the simplicity of your book’s format and take the bait to reflect, research and place in motion the call to immerse themselves in the learning-sharing process. Besides, if your reader has access to the Internet, your teaching vignettes enrich the bold print and italicized attitudes and activities featured in the book. The book is a double-premium possession.

I wish you a million-copy order on the first-print edition." ~ Bob Durrance, November, 2004

"In 2004 raising children has become a very difficult venture. I had the opportunity to listen to a discussion on NPR just the other week and the participants were discussing whether it was better to be a child in our modern day or whether it was better to be a child at some point in the past. The discussion continued beyond my time to listen but it did prompt some thinking on the topic.

Children today need the same things that children have needed from the beginning of time regardless to how hi-tech we attempt to make the process. ABCs of What Children Need from their Parents has done a great job in summarizing this process. The book is a template for bringing parents back to the basics. Children need parents who spend time. A little quality time each day goes a long way in creating lifetime of memories for your child. The book helps to prompt the ideas for these times. The book also prompts adults to think about the things that were special to them as children so that they can share these with their children as well. A person forgets so much as they grow up.

"The crucial things of child care are the tools that have always been used for child rearing. The eyes that share gazes with your child. The hands that are able share things. The touch that can reach out and transmit feeling. The words that are able to build up and encourage. And lastly our presence that is able to communicate that we care. ABCs of What Children Need from their Parents helps with simple concepts that can be forgotten so easily.

"Lastly, parents need to continue to learn. The most successful parents that I have ever seen are the ones that are willing to continue to learn from every source that they have available. The learning includes the lessons that we learn from other parents, from professionals from those who care for your children and mostly from our children themselves. A study of your child is very educational and teaches you a great deal about yourself. As long as we, parents, are humble learners there is no limit for what we can do for our children." ~ Deric J. Boston, MSW, LCSW-P, Child and Family Specialist, Learning Together, Multisystemic Therapy Supervisor, Omni Visions Inc., November, 2004

"Every day people with little or no training become parents. As local author Karen Wallace writes in her new book, The ABCs of What Children Need from Their Parents (ABCs Connection, 2004), ‘It is a humbling and awesome stewardship,’ to be parents, regardless of age — and taking the time to learn from our children can make families stronger, healthier and happier.

"For time-pressed parents, daunted by pages and pages of training manuals and how-to guides, Wallace recommends her at-a-glance book of inspirations and reflections. Each page represents a letter of the alphabet, with words or concepts intended to help in the practice of parenting. When child-rearing feels like a liability instead of an asset, The ABCs of What Children Need from Their Parents can be a helpful tool to keep all parties listening, responding and learning." ~ Carolina Parent - www.carolinaparent.com

"A recent publication through ABCs Connection has similar goals [to the Take 15 Campaign] regarding developing strong connections with children, Karen Wallace of ABCs Connection released a publication entitled ABCs of What Children Need from their Parents: ABCs You Can Learn Throughout Your Lives. This parenting book/journal encourages an emotional connection between parents and children of any age. Ms. Wallace states, “Just as the alphabet is the foundation for every word, sentence, paragraph, chapter and book, so is the parent/child relationship the root for all subsequent relationships at all levels.” For more information on this publication and ABCsConnection’s effort to provide community support, visit www.ABCsConnection.com." ~ Mental Health Association/North Carolina Newsletter - www.mha-nc.org