This workbook guides parents in developing nonanxious parenting skills, helping them navigate stressful situations and communicate effectively with their children. It offers practical exercises and prompts to support children's unique paths to growth. The book builds on the principles from *The Self-Driven Child*, addressing the convergence of educational and mental health crises in the post-pandemic era.
This book combines insights from clinical practice, educational coaching, and cutting-edge brain science to address the chronic stress and lack of motivation many children face. Stixrud and Johnson argue that giving children more control over their lives is crucial for their development, as it enhances their motivation, resilience, and overall well-being. The authors provide practical advice on how parents can act as consultants rather than controllers, helping children develop inner drive and intrinsic motivation through autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The book also discusses the negative effects of excessive parental control and external motivators, and offers actionable steps for parents to implement in their daily lives[2][3][5].
In 'What Do You Say?', William Stixrud and Ned Johnson offer a comprehensive guide on how to communicate effectively with children. The book focuses on defining and demonstrating the basic principles of listening and speaking, and provides new ways to handle specific, thorny topics such as delivering constructive feedback, discussing technology boundaries, explaining sleep and brain function, addressing anxiety about current events, and family problem-solving. The authors emphasize the importance of treating parents as consultants rather than managers, encouraging children to make their own decisions, and maintaining a positive communication ratio to foster a supportive and resilient family environment.
Trust Your Kids More and Worry About Them Less isn’t just advice—it’s a revolutionary mindset that could change your parenting forever. In this powerful episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with Ned Johnson and Dr. William Stixrud, authors of The Self-Driven Child and The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child, to explore what children really need to thrive in today’s high-pressure, performance-driven culture. Drawing from decades of experience in neuropsychology, education, and working with families, Ned and Bill share a deeply hopeful and science-backed message: when kids feel a sense of control over their lives, their mental health flourishes, their motivation ignites, and their joy returns.
Together, they unpack the cultural myths that are crushing childhood—like the belief that success hinges on relentless achievement or acceptance to a prestigious college. Instead, they advocate for autonomy, play, radical downtime, and the steady practice of parental trust. With humor, warmth, and actionable insight, this conversation offers an honest look at the fears we carry as parents and how to loosen our grip without letting go. If you’ve ever wondered how to raise a resilient, happy, and truly self-driven child, this episode will equip you to start today—with confidence.
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Get your copy of The Seven Principles of a Self-Directed child here
Learn more about Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson here
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The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 
