Teaching Kids Good Manners —
The Old-School Way
For families and educators, this book teaches kids respect, responsibility, and gratitude through simple, old-school principles and modern insight.
This book is designed to be flexible and easy to use. Adults can read it on their own for quick guidance, or walk through selected chapters with kids using the built-in discussion questions and simple activities. It also pairs perfectly with the MannersMatterNow toolkits and printables for deeper practice at home, in classrooms, or in group settings.
We help
Who This Book Helps
Helps families guide kids through daily routines—mealtime, chores, conversations, and family gatherings—with simple, respectful habits.
Supports educators in strengthening classroom behavior, peer respect, and positive interactions using practical, easy-to-apply lessons.
Provides faith-friendly guidance for small groups and character lessons, helping kids practice kindness and good manners in community settings.
My Published Books
Teaching Children How To Pray
And the Reason for it.”
Teaching children how to pray—and why it matters—gives them a lifelong anchor of hope, peace, and confidence in God. This message is for Christian parents, grandparents, and teachers who want kids to know that God is real, that He listens, and that they can talk to Him about everything they face.
When children learn to pray, they discover they are never alone; they can bring their fears, questions, and joys to a loving Father who cares for them.
In a world filled with pressure, anxiety, and confusion, prayer teaches kids to slow down, listen for God’s voice, and make wiser choices from a place of security instead of fear.
Beyond Acquaintances
Beyond Acquaintances invites readers to move past small talk and surface-level connections into deeper, loyal, and life-giving friendships that stand up to real-world challenges and seasons of change. It offers a warm, practical roadmap for turning polite nods and occasional check-ins into trusted relationships that encourage, support, and sharpen character at every age.Beyond Acquaintances: Understanding and Cultivating Friendships shows how to build, maintain, and deepen authentic friendships instead of letting potential connections fade in a busy, distracted world. It speaks to teens, young adults, and grownups alike who want more than social media “likes” and are ready for real people they can laugh with, lean on, and grow alongside.
What readers will gain
Readers discover simple, realistic ways to turn casual encounters into genuine friendships through intentional communication, consistent follow-through, and everyday gestures that say, “You matter.” Along the way, they also learn how to set boundaries, navigate conflict, and let go of toxic connections so there is room for friendships that are trustworthy, uplifting, and lasting.
Breaking Stereotypes
Breaking Stereotypes: Seeing People for Who They Are invites readers into a world where children, teens, and families learn to look beyond labels, lazy assumptions, and media-driven clichés. Each chapter offers eye-opening moments that help readers recognize hidden bias and replace it with curiosity, respect, and genuine connection.
Perfect for parents, grandparents, educators, and mentors, this book becomes a practical toolkit for teaching young people to honor character over color, kindness over cliques, and effort over ego.
Readers gain simple, everyday strategies for starting honest conversations about race, culture, gender, and class without shame, blame, or fear.
Instead of lectures, they will find encouraging guidance that blends old-school values with modern realities, making it easy to model dignity, empathy, and courage at home, in classrooms, and in the community.
Breaking Stereotypes helps families build a legacy where children grow up confident in who they are and gracious toward those who are different from them.
Rise Again
“Rise Again: A Teen’s Guide to Overcoming Life’s Challenges” is a faith-grounded, practical roadmap that helps teens bounce back from stress, setbacks, and self-doubt with real tools—not lectures.
It turns today’s pressures into opportunities to grow confidence, character, and resilience.
Who this book is for
Teens who feel overwhelmed by school, social media, family tension, or friendships and need hope and a clear next step.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and youth leaders who want a Christ-centered resource that speaks teens’ language and points them toward wise choices.
Built on values and experience: Written by U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime youth and family mentor Vernon J. DeFlanders, blending life-tested wisdom with biblical truth.
GET LAUNCH Book UPDATES (NO SPAM)
Teaching Kids Good Manners — The Old-School Way is now available on Kindle Unlimited! Join the list to get exclusive bonus content, practical manners tips you can use right away at home, in classrooms, or with your youth group.
You’ll only hear from me for launch news and occasional helpful updates.
Ready to bring manners back, the old-school way?
- contact@mannersmatternow.com
Based in Southern California
Serving families, educators, and faith communities nationwide