Raising Self-Driven Kids

What if the secret to a calmer, more motivated, and resilient child isn’t doing more, but stepping back?

Many kids today are overly dependent on adults to help them manage stress and stay on track. But research shows that when kids feel a healthy sense of control over their lives, everything changes.

In this science-backed parenting event, Dr. William Stixrud (clinical neuropsychologist) and Ned Johnson (academic coach) will share their groundbreaking approach to raising confident, independent kids—based on their bestselling book The Self-Driven Child.

Event Details:

Title: Raising Self-Driven Kids: Science-Based Strategies for Building Your Child’s Inner Confidence

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Time: 8:00–9:30 p.m. ET

Location: Online (Zoom link provided)

Price: $18

You’ll learn how to:

• Help your child build motivation that comes from within
• Support your child through stress, school pressure, and emotional ups and downs
• Set healthy boundaries while fostering autonomy
• Be a calm, steady presence (especially during chaos)

This training is beneficial for:

• Parents of K–12 children
• Educators looking for new tools
• Mental health professionals supporting youth
  

Register Now

Register now to gain vital tools for supporting your child’s emotional well-being

Space is limited. Secure your spot today!

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Produced by The Wellness Institute, a division of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text the new three-digit, 24-hour hotline of the US Government and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 to be connected to a trained suicide crisis counselor.

About the Speakers:

Dr. William Stixrud is a clinical neuropsychologist with almost 40 years of working with kids, teens and their families to support executive functioning, learning, and stress resilience. He is a faculty member at Children’s National Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. In his spare time, Bill plays and sings in the Silver Spring, Maryland based rock band Close Enough.

Dr. Stixrud’s co-author and long-time collaborator, Ned Johnson, is president and founder of PrepMatters, a nationally renowned education company that helps students succeed in high school and get into college. He describes himself as a professional “tutor-geek” who since 1993 has spent more than 50,000 one-on-one hours helping students. Ned loves how kids think and is forever curious about what motivates them, what worries them, and what matters to them.

Together, Bill and Ned have co-authored three books: The Self-Driven Child, What Do You Say? and The Seven Principles of Raising a Self-Driven Child. Their work has been featured in multiple major media major outlets including: NPR, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and Scientific American.