For the parents who know her, Dr. Becky Kennedy is a lifesaver. A clinical psychologist whose "good inside" approach to rearing children has helped parents around the globe raise more-resilient little people, Dr. Becky Kennedy is now distilling her philosophy in her debut children's book, That's My Truck!.
PW spoke with the woman Time magazine dubbed the "millennial parent whisperer" about why she decided to tackle the subject of hitting and how this compelling tale helps parents and kids develop strategies for overcoming one of early childhood's most problematic behaviors.
What can you share about your parenting approach? What inspired you to create Good Inside?
I started Good Inside to disrupt conventional parenting practices. So many traditional parenting ideas focus on viewing kids through the lens of their latest behavior. When a child acts out, we often label them as "bad" and respond by punishing or isolating them. Shame, isolation: this is not the environment that fosters any meaningful change. I truly believe that kids are good inside, that they're born with all the feelings but none of the skills to manage those feelings, and when feelings overpower skills, it often shows up as challenging behavior.
The key is helping parents see the good inside their child—the good kid who’s struggling, rather than a "bad kid" doing bad things. This shift leads to a completely different approach to parenting—one that’s 0% permissive and 100% sturdy. It’s about embracing the role of a coach: guiding kids to make better choices, teaching them skills to manage their emotions, and keeping them safe when they’re unable to do so on their own.
That’s My Truck! A Good Inside Story About Hitting is your debut picture book. Have you always thought about writing a children’s book? What made you decide to write it now?
I’ve always loved children’s books. They’re a powerful tool for helping parents better understand their kids, enabling children to understand themselves more deeply, and strengthening the connection between parent and kid.
No matter how distracted, busy, or frustrated we’ve been during the day, sitting down with our kids to read a good book creates a meaningful moment of connection—and leaves us feeling good as a parent. Children’s books also offer parents a unique way to explore difficult topics with their kids. Talking to kids directly about challenging behaviors can sometimes evoke feelings of shame, making it hard for them to engage. But when those tricky moments are reflected in a storybook character, it sends an important message to kids: You’re not alone. You’re not the only one.
What are a few key takeaways from That’s My Truck!?
In That’s My Truck! A Good Inside Story About Hitting, there are two key takeaways that I hope will resonate with parents navigating tough moments with their children. First, behind every challenging behavior is a good kid who is having a hard time. It’s easy to label a child as "bad" in moments of hitting, kicking, or rudeness and respond by punishing them or sending them away. However, these reactions often fail to address the underlying issue. Instead, the book encourages parents to understand what’s happening for their kid in the moments leading up to the behavior. By fostering understanding, parents can intervene more effectively and address the root cause.
Second, the book demonstrates how to intervene with sturdy leadership. It highlights the importance of setting clear boundaries while staying emotionally connected to your kid. Instead of relying on permissiveness or punishment, the book advocates for guiding with both firmness and empathy. This approach helps parents maintain authority while reinforcing the understanding that, even in their hardest moments, children are inherently good.
Illustrator Joanie Stone’s artwork is so endearing! What do you feel her work brings to the story?
Joanie’s artwork is truly incredible. She masterfully captures the full range of emotions that kids experience, reminding us that kids often grapple with worries and complex thoughts just like adults do. One particularly striking example is how she vividly brings to life the shame spiral a child can feel after losing control. Her illustrations make these intense, internal moments both visible and deeply relatable. I also admire her ability to depict the way a parent intervenes—with both strength and love—showing what it means to be a sturdy and supportive presence in a child’s life.
How do you suggest parents supplement the reading experience? Any additional resources you provide to continue the conversation?
I hope parents take the time to read the section at the end of the book, The Good Inside Guide to Hitting. It answers many common questions parents have and offers practical, thoughtful guidance. I also encourage them to explore the other resources we offer within the Good Inside app, which have been created with intention and care to provide meaningful support.
I truly believe our app is unique because it’s built on the belief that parents deserve tools and support at their fingertips—available whenever they need them. Some parents might explore the app and think, I don’t need this right now, while others might say, This is exactly what I need, or, This could be so helpful. Either way, this tool is here to help parents feel confident, empowered, and sturdy in their next steps. That’s what Good Inside is all about, and it’s the driving purpose behind everything we create.
We’re living in such deeply contentious times. Do you feel that children are picking up on these adult tensions?
Children are highly attuned to their environments and the emotions of the adults around them because they depend on attachment for survival. They rely on their parents to meet their basic needs, making them more sensitive than adults to changes in their surroundings. When we’re stressed, overwhelmed, or tense, they pick up on it. However, we often misinterpret their reactions, assuming we’ve “ruined” them forever. In reality, it’s not the stress itself that frightens them—it’s the uncertainty and lack of explanation.
If things feel tense at home, simply acknowledging it can make a huge difference. For example, telling your child, “You might have noticed I’ve been stressed, and that’s come out in how I’ve been on my phone more or yelling more. That’s not your fault. You’re a good kid, and I’m working on managing my stress,” can be incredibly reassuring. Kids don’t fear information; they fear changes in their environment that go unexplained. Offering a simple story to help them understand what’s going on provides clarity and relief, showing them they’re safe and loved even when things feel hard.
I hope you’ll be writing more picture books! Can you share any new projects you’re working on or other topics you’d like to address for kids?
There are countless moments in a child’s life that are worthy of being turned into stories—moments that deserve to be seen and understood. These stories need to be told because they resonate with kids, helping them feel seen. When children read these books and think, Oh my goodness, this is me. These are my hard moments, they feel less alone and more understood. That sense of connection and validation has the power to change the course of a child’s life.
I have so many more picture books inside me, waiting to be written. I’ll tell you about one. I’m working on a story centered around Charlie’s sister, Pia, who will be the protagonist. She’s spunky, proud, and full of life—definitely a character with a lot of stories to tell. I can’t wait to share more about Pia soon!
