Ep 153: How to fostering autonomy in our children, with Ned Johnson, co author of "The Self-Driven Child"

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Episode 153 with Ned Johnson, co-author of 'The Self-Driven Child' discusses the importance of giving children autonomy and control over their own decisions. He explains that a low sense of control is the most stressful thing a person can experience and can lead to anxiety and other negative outcomes. Johnson emphasizes the need for parents to shift from protecting their children to helping them protect themselves, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills and resilience. He also highlights the importance of being a "non-anxious presence" in our children's lives. To help them, consider playing the role of a "consultant" and validating children's feelings, rather than immediately jumping in to solve their problems.
Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation. Ned coaches clients to manage their anxiety, and find the motivation to reach their full potential. In 2006, Ned co-authored the book Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Students Overcome the Pressure and Succeed, which tackles the outsized role anxiety plays in standardized testing. With Dr. William Stixrud, Ned co-authored The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives and “What Do You Say?: How to Talk With Kids to Promote Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home”. Aa sought-after speaker and teen coach on study skills, sleep deprivation, parent-teen dynamics, and test anxiety, and his work is featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, BBC, and many others.

Dr Jessica Hochman is a board certified pediatrician, mom to three children, and she is very passionate about the health and well being of children. Most of her educational videos are targeted towards general pediatric topics and presented in an easy to understand manner.
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The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.