Sally Kabak – “Grandchildren, Our Hopes & Dreams”

Sally Kabak is a GrownUps member who has achieved some wonderful things and her work is being recognised internationally. We're very proud of Sally and wish her all the best!

Let me tell you something about myself, which will give you more understanding has to why I wrote my book 'Grandchildren, our Hopes & Dreams: A Modern & Practical Guide to Raising Grandchildren'.

My husband & I are raising a now 8 year old granddaughter. Lucy* came into our care when she was nearly 2 1/2 years old. She will be living with us until she can make her own way in the world. Lucy swallowed a small camera battery that her mother left in her oesophagus for three days before taking her to the doctor. The acid had leaked. At the time my husband & I were living in the States (he's American), we came out to New Zealand for a family group conference held by CYF. It was decided that Lucy was in need of care & protection, the rest as they say is history. (*Name has been changed to protect her true identity.)

I decided to start a blog. In 2010 it was named as one of the top ten in the world by Grand Magazine of the USA, the only international one to achieve the honour. The same year North & South magazine named me New Zealander of the Year for Community.

Then came the book which was published last year. Since then I have been interviewed by Kim Hill, been written about in various newspapers and named author of the month for June by the Australian Women's Weekly. The October/November issue of Little Treasures magazine named me the flag bearer for grandparent caregivers.

Now About.com, which was formerly owned by the New York Times now owned by Ask.com, is holding a Readers' Choice Award. My book has been selected as a finalist, there are only five books chosen and I'd love to have your support. To see the other finalists and vote for my book, please click here.

You can also purchase the book in the GrownUps Store, the cost of a book is $34.99 plus postage & packaging.