008: Raising A Self-Driven Child with Ned Johnson

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ned Johnson, author, speaker, and founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation.  

Ned’s books have helped me through so many parts of my parenting journey and I share some of the stories in this conversation.

Listen in as we talk about:

• Why parents are so afraid to give their kids more control
• What a self driven child is
• How giving kids control helps them to be self motivated
• Tips for parents to manage their anxiety when it comes to their kids’ choices
• Tips to help your kids see the bigger picture

A professional “tutor-geek” since 1993 and battle-tested veteran of test prep, stress regulation and student performance, Ned has spent nearly more than 40,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests, learning and honing his insightful interpersonal skills. 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”, due out August 17. 

Their book explores how fostering children’s autonomy can help solve two challenges endemic to kids today: facing anxiety and developing intrinsic motivation. Ned is also the host of the PrepTalks podcast: conversations with parenting and education experts. 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. 

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• Pre-Order his new book What Do You Say with co-author Bill Stixrud here
• Purchase Hunt, Gather, Parent by ​​Michaeleen Doucleff 
• Purchase 50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do by Gever Tulley

Connect with Ned

• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On LinkedIn
• On Facebook
• Prep Talks Podcast
• www.prepmatters.com

Connect with Sarah Rosensweet  

• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• https://www.sarahrosensweet.com