The Good Enough Parent

1. Parental Love: The Foundation of Emotional Maturity

Love is the considerate, tender, patient behaviour displayed by an adult over many years towards a child who cannot help but be largely out of control, confused, frustrating and bewildered.

Unconditional acceptance. Parental love forms the bedrock of a child's emotional development. It involves more than just affection; it requires a deep understanding of the child's inherent immaturity and a willingness to provide consistent support through their struggles.

Emotional attunement. Parents must strive to see the world through their child's eyes, acknowledging their vulnerabilities and responding with empathy. This involves:

• Recognizing the importance of small things in a child's world
• Allowing for strange phases and peculiar behaviors
• Accepting clinginess as a natural need for reassurance
• Providing emotional directness and honesty

By offering this kind of love, parents lay the groundwork for their children to develop into emotionally mature adults capable of forming healthy relationships and navigating life's challenges with resilience.

2. Balancing Discipline and Nurturance in Child-Rearing

We should learn to see naughty children, a few chaotic scenes and occasional raised voices as belonging to health rather than delinquency – and conversely learn to fear small people who cause no trouble whatsoever.

Embracing authenticity. Contrary to popular belief, a well-behaved child isn't necessarily a healthy one. Children need space to express their authentic selves, including their negative emotions and challenging behaviors.

Fostering resilience. By allowing children to be "naughty" within reason, parents help them develop:

• Creativity and spontaneity
• Resilience in the face of failure
• A sense of self-acceptance
• The ability to handle criticism

However, this doesn't mean abandoning all discipline. The key is to find a balance between setting necessary boundaries and allowing for natural expression. Parents should aim to be "good enough" rather than perfect, providing a secure environment where children can explore their full range of emotions and behaviors without fear of rejection or excessive punishment.

3. Fostering Curiosity and Imagination in Children

Children don't see a need to wait until every practical detail has been sorted out before beginning to imagine fresh schemes and develop original proposals.

Embracing wonder. Children possess an innate ability to see the world with fresh eyes, unencumbered by the limitations of practicality or convention. This natural curiosity and imagination are vital for creativity and innovation.

Nurturing creativity. Parents can foster this quality by:

• Encouraging questions and exploration
• Allowing time for unstructured play
• Valuing imagination as much as practical skills
• Resisting the urge to always provide "realistic" answers

By preserving and nurturing this childlike wonder, parents can help their children develop into adults who are capable of thinking outside the box, solving complex problems, and finding joy in the world around them. This approach not only benefits the child but also reminds adults of the importance of maintaining a sense of curiosity and openness to new ideas throughout life.

4. Embracing Melancholy: The Importance of Emotional Range

The most melancholy families are those that know how to be melancholy when the situation demands it.

Emotional authenticity. Contrary to the societal pressure for constant happiness, especially in children, it's crucial to acknowledge and accept a full range of emotions, including sadness and melancholy.

Building emotional resilience. Allowing children to experience and express sadness helps them:

• Develop a realistic view of life
• Build coping mechanisms for future challenges
• Understand and empathize with others' emotions
• Appreciate moments of joy more deeply

Parents should resist the urge to immediately cheer up a sad child or dismiss their negative emotions. Instead, they should create a safe space for children to experience and process these feelings. This approach helps children develop emotional intelligence and resilience, preparing them for the inevitable ups and downs of adult life. By modeling healthy ways of dealing with sadness and disappointment, parents equip their children with valuable tools for navigating life's complexities.

5. Navigating Sibling Relationships and Family Dynamics

Therefore, when they tell us that the new baby is dreadful and stinks and is ugly, we have to bear with it.

Acknowledging complex emotions. The arrival of a new sibling can be a challenging experience for a child, often stirring up feelings of jealousy, resentment, and fear of being replaced.

Fostering healthy relationships. Parents can help navigate this transition by:

• Allowing the child to express negative feelings without judgment
• Avoiding forced affection or unrealistic expectations of immediate love
• Maintaining one-on-one time with each child
• Gradually introducing positive interactions between siblings

It's important for parents to remember that sibling relationships often evolve over time. By providing a supportive environment where all emotions are acknowledged and addressed, parents can lay the groundwork for strong, lasting sibling bonds. This approach also teaches children valuable lessons about handling complex relationships and emotions, skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

6. The Art of Soothing: Building Emotional Resilience

The most soothing people are a little boring, in a good way.

Calm presence. The ability to soothe a child is a crucial parenting skill that goes beyond mere comfort. It involves creating a sense of safety and stability in the face of distress or uncertainty.

Building resilience. Effective soothing techniques include:

• Physical comfort (hugs, gentle touch)
• Consistent routines and rituals
• Calm, reassuring tones and words
• Acknowledging emotions without amplifying them
• Providing a steady, "boring" presence during turbulent times

By mastering the art of soothing, parents not only help their children navigate immediate challenges but also teach them valuable self-regulation skills. This lays the foundation for emotional resilience, enabling children to better cope with stress and adversity throughout their lives. Moreover, the ability to soothe oneself and others is a valuable life skill that extends far beyond childhood, contributing to healthier relationships and improved mental well-being in adulthood.

7. Adolescence: A Crucial Phase of Self-Discovery and Growth

To be 16 and find everything perfect as it is would be a terrifying and sterile conclusion. A refusal to accept the folly, error and evil of the world is a precondition of achievement.

Embracing transformation. Adolescence is a period of intense change and self-discovery, often marked by conflict and emotional turbulence. However, this phase is crucial for developing a sense of identity and independence.

Supporting growth. Parents can navigate this challenging period by:

• Allowing space for questioning and rebellion within reasonable limits
• Encouraging critical thinking and independent decision-making
• Providing emotional support without smothering
• Recognizing that temporary distance or conflict can be part of healthy development

It's important for parents to understand that adolescent angst and rebellion are often signs of healthy development, not personal failure. By providing a supportive but flexible environment, parents can help their teenagers navigate this crucial phase of life. This approach fosters the development of resilient, thoughtful adults who are capable of challenging societal norms and driving positive change.

8. The Delicate Balance of Work and Family in Modern Parenting

Capitalism and childcare are at loggerheads, but neither admits as much; indeed, both sides torture us by promising that we might be able to achieve 'work–life balance', an ideal as sentimental and humiliating as expecting that someone manage to be simultaneously both a professional ballerina and a brain surgeon.

Acknowledging the challenge. Modern parents face unprecedented pressure to excel both in their careers and in raising their children, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and burnout.

Finding balance. Strategies for managing this tension include:

• Redefining success to include family well-being, not just career achievements
• Setting realistic expectations and boundaries in both work and family life
• Prioritizing quality time over quantity when it comes to childcare
• Seeking support systems and shared responsibilities when possible

It's crucial for parents to recognize that perfect balance is often an unattainable ideal. Instead, the focus should be on making conscious choices about priorities and accepting that there will be trade-offs. By acknowledging the inherent challenges of modern parenting and letting go of unrealistic expectations, parents can find more satisfaction in both their professional and family lives. This approach also models important lessons for children about managing competing demands and defining personal success on one's own terms.

Last updated: February 4, 2025