Love, C. W.

We spoke some time ago about my 5-year-old who was "diagnosed" with Selective Mutism. You suggested a different approach on how to stick up for her when people commented on her not speaking "We're working on it!" That amongst other ideas you gave us, we gently guided her, supported her and one day...

(I will never forget this day) July 31, 2003 she thanked the bank teller for a lollypop!

Slowly she opened up more and more. We gently praised her progress, and she blossomed! She now leads the life of an active homeschooled 6-year-old. She has quickly made new friends and talks like it was never an issue!

While I'm sure there will be other challenges to face, I'm pleased to see that she has moved past this one. Thank you again for your guidance.

Sincerely,
Michelle V.

I have participated in Jan Hunt's teleclasses and have called her for individual counseling in a time of family crisis.  I am a mother of a 4-year-old and a licensed counselor myself, and I am writing to communicate just how much help Jan has given me.

Jan is one of the most well- informed people in the world of attachment parenting that I have had the privilege of encountering.  Each and every time I have talked with her - whether in a teleclass or a counseling session - I am busy taking notes and come away with renewed inspiration.  Besides this, there is usually a follow-up note or two on my computer, directing me to different points of reference that came up as we conversed, but which she did not then have at her fingertips.

I recommend her so very highly.  She will inspire and inform on this journey of attachment parenting as few could.  I hope she can serve as a north star to many, many others who want to parent respectfully and are not sure what that means in a given situation.

- Jan Esher

A special thanks to Jan with parenting advice for my son. Jan really helped with her suggestions on how to handle a typical two year old. Life is better in the Groh house and our son is under control. Also with a diet change we have noticed a more independent child. Jan's rates were very reasonable and the best part was I could counsel with an expert right in my own home. Our son has stopped hitting and throwing fits, he listens and reacts accordingly.

Using words to make a child realize the outcome in a nature that they will understand was the best advice I ever did receive.  Thanks, Jan, our life is truly wonderful.

Gina Gerot-Groh

Jan, thank you for your advice regarding my son. You helped to remind me that his behavior really and truly reflects his needs. More importantly, you reminded me that attachment parenting does not mean ignoring your own needs ,and that carving out time for myself is vitally important and not something I need feel guilty about. Thank you for your time and for your informative web-site.

Sincerely,
Kerry Monastra

I so much enjoyed and learned from our conversation. This is a gross oversimplification. I have thought of nothing but the various avenues that we touched upon. I was shocked to read your follow-up about eye contact because I had intuitively increased my eye contact with my daughter dramatically since our conversation. I have been making a more conscious effort to give her more freedom and acceptance. I have read your article about alternatives to punishment which I found fascinating. At some point I would love to discuss this issue with you. Thank you so very much for your wisdom.

Name withheld

I don't know if you remember but I contacted you exactly a year ago regarding my son's reluctance to attend birthday parties for his friends. Your advice was wonderful and I've referred to it from time to time over the last year.

Well, I just had to tell you that you were right on the money! This year, when those same invitations arrived, he hesitated. We told him that the decision to attend or not was his and his alone. He chose to go to each party and thoroughly enjoyed himself each time. Since he is unschooled, he did not even know most of the other kids at one of the parties, but went and had a blast. I think that this has been such an empowering experience for him and one of his greatest fears has been put to sleep.

Thank you for all your words of wisdom and insight. You are such a wonderful resource for families. I tell everyone about your site.

Thanks for being there.

Barbara Cohen

Thank you, Jan, for your wonderful service. I feel much better now after having spoken with you about my daughter (8) and our soon-to-be new arrival in 3 weeks!

I realize that things take time to change and I've got to be a lot more flexible with not only Catie - but with myself as well.

Thanks again for all of your help!

Peace and All Things Good!

Claudia McKinney
San Clemente, CA

What a wonderful service you offer with your telephone counseling! With your warm, friendly voice you both support the parent and advocate for the child.

You are wonderful and I am so glad I found you and your website! Thank you for making time for me and my concerns in your busy day. I am reassured, and will treasure Anna as she is, allow her time to become the person she was meant to be.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again for being there, for believing in children and for enlightening me and helping me think about things from a different angle.

Sue Lawrence
Arlington, MA

I've received advice from Jan three times, and each time came away feeling re-energized in my commitment to the natural, attachment parenting philosophy.

Thanks for offering such a valuable service and for helping to make the world a better place, one person at a time!

Cheri Pelic
Northville, MI

It was a pleasure talking with Jan today and getting the support and added encouragement to homeschool my 11-year-old son. We are all very excited about the prospect! I will continue to keep in touch with the Natural Child Project and let everyone know how we're progressing.

Jagoda Szubert
Riverside, IL