Today, I’ll be reviewing The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson. I read this as part of the Everyday Reading book club. This year, I made a goal to read all of the book club books and … this is the first month I’ve finished the book within the same month.
I’ve made a point to only share the books I enjoy here on the blog, because it’s a much better use of my time than reviewing every single book I read. This one is no exception, because it was fantastic.
And how timely could this be? This is absolutely the best thing to read right now, as a parent of children in school. This is definitely the best time to put this ‘self-drive’ skills into practice.
Each chapter delves into a different aspect of children having control over their own lives, starting with the science. There are so many aspects to cover when it comes to the brain science of motivation and the effects that stress and environmental factors have on developing minds. It was really great to read the science behind things like limiting screen time and other aspects of parenting.
Of course, throw in virtual learning and it kind of messes things up, but we’re all just doing the best we can. I have found myself even more aware of the screen time we all have as a family. Now, more than ever, is the time to be aware of the negative effects that screens can have on us. Take sleep, for example. One chapter covers the topic of sleep and how important it is to ‘turn off’ our brains so they can recharge. The whole book has a ton of excellent points, but the science-y chapters in the beginning really hooked me right away.
My favorite part of the book is the section at the end of each chapter that includes tips to do. They are all really great, tangible action items that can help you rethink children having control over their lives. Add to that, there are real life situations throughout the book that the authors share of their clients’ counseling sessions. It was so wonderful to hear some of the stories and to also not feel alone in these big parenting questions.
I know this book is geared towards parents, but every person could benefit from the tips in this book. If you read The Self-Driven Child, I’d love to hear what you think about it! Find more book reviews here.
Rebecca has been writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle topics since 2011. Thank you so much for reading this post! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. I love hearing from you!
