Child expert Jill Rigby reveals the dangers of the self-esteem parenting philosophy and offers an alternative approach that teaches children to respect both themselves and others.
After decades of experimenting with child-focused parenting, parents are beginning to realize that the result is often self-centered children who tend toward narcissism, selfishness, mediocrity, and dysfunction. Rigby espouses a new goal of parenting: gently bumping children off self-center and teaching them to be unselfish givers instead. Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World dares to revisit the values of compassion, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and unselfishness and insists that we can instill these values in our children.
With her encouraging approach, Rigby helps parents realize it's never too late to change their children's point of view and equip them to interact with kindness and respect in a world outside themselves. Teaching concepts, such as developing a passion for compassion, learning to give by forgiving, and filling every day with thanksgiving, Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World offers a new paradigm for parenting -- one that educates the heart and teaches moms and dads how to parent with a new end in mind.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Ms. Rigby Has Written Another Winner:
I enjoyed Ms. Rigby's previous book Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World (Motherhood Club) so I had high hopes for this new one. I was not disappointed. While she does not break any new ground, it's a wonderful reinforcement of good parenting practices in a society that too often does not support moms & dads who want to raise their children with traditional Biblical values rather than worldly ones. Readers should be aware that this book has a more explicitly Evangelical Protestant... more info
Inspiring/Motivating book:
This is a great book with some great ideas as long as you take them for suggestions and not hard truth. I think sometimes she comes off as this is the only way...but they can just be guidelines or ideas. I am really excited and motivated about helping my daughter think about others and grow to become a giving/ non-selfish, confident woman now.
The Message:
I think the ideas and insights in this book are essential to every parent. Jill Rigby has got some great advice with a Biblical perspective that really hits home to any and every mom and dad! The only problem I have is her frequent use of "The Message" in quoting scripture. The Message, by Eugene Peterson, is a loosly paraphrased version of the Bible that is actually more of an opinion then a paraphrase. Some of his insights are actually UN Biblical. I wish Ms. Rigby had done her homework a bit better... more info
Wonderful and Practical:
This book is so well written and such a quick read. Selfishness is such an inherent part of our human nature and something that we allow to run rampant in our lives. I loved that the book not only made me think of things I want to change as we raise our children, but also made me examine my own heart and start each day with a prayer for the selfishness to be taken out of me. So many actions are fueled by selfishness, right down to me not wanting to get off the couch when I am reading to help my children. It... more info
