Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World

Founder of Manners of the Heart Community Fund, a Baton Rouge, La., faith-based nonprofit dedicated to children’s character development and education, Rigby (Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World) presents an updated, expanded edition of her 2006 book. According to Rigby, the self-esteem movement “darn near destroyed our children and society,” creating a generation of “aristobrats.” Using the metaphor of survival and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Isaac, Rigby casts herself as a modern-day Noah who, with hope, lessons, and parables, can help restore a traditional, respectful parent-child dynamic and “undo the damage in today’s children from a culture gone awry.” She describes the flaws and problems of parent-centered and child-centered families, and suggests instead an exemplary character-centered family. Rigby outlines a chapter-by-chapter plan, assigning tasks such as modeling the behavior you want your children to exhibit; using encouragement, not praise, as motivation; protecting “your treasures from the trash” of modern media and bad manners; and teaching gratitude. With handy lists and charts, as well as sidebars and citations from parenting experts, the book invites re-reading. Written from a Christian perspective, and peppered with pull-out quotes from the New and Old Testaments and from Wise Ol’ Wilbur, the Manners of the Heart mascot, this volume offers sensible and solid, but not overly strict methods for teaching respect. Agent: Steve Laube, Steve Laube Agency. (Aug.)