The Good Enough Parent

Raising a child to be an authentic and mentally robust adult is one of life's great challenges. It is also, fortunately, not a matter of luck. There are many things to understand about how children's minds operate and what they need from those who look after them so they can develop into the best version of themselves.

The Good Enough Parent is a compendium of lessons, including ideas on how to say 'no' to a child one adores, how to look beneath the surface of 'bad' behaviour to work out what might really be going on, how to encourage a child to be genuinely kind, how to encourage open self-expression, and how to handle the moods and gloom of adolescence.

Importantly, this is a book that knows that perfection is not required - and could indeed be unhelpful, because a key job of any parent is to induct a child gently into the imperfect nature of everything. Written in a tone that is encouraging, wry and soaked in years of experience, The Good Enough Parent is an intelligent guide to raising a child who will one day look back on their childhood with just the right mixture of gratitude, humour and love.

“"A must-read for every parent feeling under pressure to be something they're not."-- Justine Cullen, Editor-in-Chief Elle magazine "Why did I not have this book earlier? It's concise, true, easy to understand and makes complete sense. If you are a parent, get this book." -- Davina McCall "This book normalizes the emotional and intellectual sensations of becoming a parent, calling upon us to extend grace to ourselves in order to raise well adjusted, interdependent children." -- Leandra Medine Cohen "A book so in tune with my personal ethos, but which also bolstered the way I approach my parenting - and children! - immeasurably." -- Pandora Sykes "Brilliant. The perfect combination of frank, compassionate and useful. As I read it, I was willing the words to be logged in my mind forever." -- Clemmie Telford, host of podcasts Honestly and But Why? " The Good Enough Parent by The School of Life is an illuminating new compendium of teachings that approach parenting in an encouraging, philosophically engaging way. Its many valuable lessons are developed to help raise contented, interested and resilient children." -- Mr Porter What readers are saying: "Really interesting philosophical view on parenting and the importance of being good enough, in Winnicott's terms, rather than perfect. Drawing on history, philosophy and psychology, perceptions and expectations on parenting are discussed. Not a text book and not a parenting manual, but a thought provoking read." -- NetGalley review "This is a terrific book on parenting. I love how it stresses that you don't have to be perfect in order to be good parents. I love the tips and advice offered in this book as well. It is something that I can actually use in real life. A very educational and useful book for any parents..." -- NetGalley review "Of all of the parenting books I've had the pleasure of reading so far, this ranks high among them, and I'd absolutely recommend it to an aspiring or soon-to-be mom and dad. It does a great job at soothing a parent who might be worried about their competency level." -- NetGalley review "A philosophical and thought-provoking read for any parent or soon-to-be parent. It focuses on how to demonstrate empathy for a child and how to see things from their perspective. It is broken down into easily readable chunks and can be finished in a couple of sittings." -- NetGalley review "Of all of the parenting books I've had the pleasure of reading so far, this ranks high among them, and I'd absolutely recommend it to an aspiring or soon-to-be mom and dad. It does a great job at soothing a parent who might be worried about their competency level, and The School of Life has packaged together a work that's quite unique and versatile." -- Goodreads review " The Good Enough Parent is for any parents who feel that their personality flaws are getting in the way of going a decent enough job. It is also for those trying to get better at what is seemingly one of the hardest jobs in the world." -- Goodreads review "A philosophical and thought-provoking read for any parent or soon-to-be parent. It focuses on how to demonstrate empathy for a child and how to see things from their perspective." -- Goodreads review”

'A must-read for every parent feeling under pressure to be something they're not.'--Justine Cullen, Editor-in-Chief Elle magazine

'Why did I not have this book earlier? It's concise, true, easy to understand and makes complete sense. If you are a parent, get this book.'--Davina McCall

'This book normalises the emotional and intellectual sensations of becoming a parent, calling upon us to extend grace to ourselves in order to raise well adjusted, interdependent children.'--Leandra Medine Cohen

'A book so in tune with my personal ethos, but which also bolstered the way I approach my parenting - and children! - immeasurably.'--Pandora Sykes

'Brilliant. The perfect combination of frank, compassionate and useful. As I read it, I was willing the words to be logged in my mind forever.'--Clemmie Telford, host of podcasts Honestly and But Why?

What readers are saying:

'Really interesting philosophical view on parenting and the importance of being good enough, in Winnicott's terms, rather than perfect. Drawing on history, philosophy and psychology, perceptions and expectations on parenting are discussed. Not a text book and not a parenting manual, but a thought provoking read.' -- NetGalley review

'This is a terrific book on parenting. I love how it stresses that you don't have to be perfect in order to be good parents. I love the tips and advice offered in this book as well. It is something that I can actually use in real life. A very educational and useful book for any parents...' -- NetGalley review

'Of all of the parenting books I've had the pleasure of reading so far, this ranks high among them, and I'd absolutely recommend it to an aspiring or soon-to-be mom and dad. It does a great job at soothing a parent who might be worried about their competency level.' -- NetGalley review

'A philosophical and thought-provoking read for any parent or soon-to-be parent. It focuses on how to demonstrate empathy for a child and how to see things from their perspective. It is broken down into easily readable chunks and can be finished in a couple of sittings.' -- NetGalley review

'Of all of the parenting books I've had the pleasure of reading so far, this ranks high among them, and I'd absolutely recommend it to an aspiring or soon-to-be mom and dad. It does a great job at soothing a parent who might be worried about their competency level, and The School of Life has packaged together a work that's quite unique and versatile.' -- Goodreads review

'The Good Enough Parent is for any parents who feel that their personality flaws are getting in the way of going a decent enough job. It is also for those trying to get better at what is seemingly one of the hardest jobs in the world.' -- Goodreads review

'A philosophical and thought-provoking read for any parent or soon-to-be parent. It focuses on how to demonstrate empathy for a child and how to see things from their perspective.' -- Goodreads review

'The Good Enough Parent by The School of Life is an illuminating new compendium of teachings that approach parenting in an encouraging, philosophically engaging way. Its many valuable lessons are developed to help raise contented, interested and resilient children.' -- Mr Porter review

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring and sane.

Raising a child to be an authentic and mentally robust adult is one of life's great challenges. It is also, fortunately, not a matter of luck. There are many things to understand about how children's minds operate and what they need from those who look after them so they can develop into the best version of themselves.The Good Enough Parent is a compendium of lessons, including ideas on how to say 'no' to a child one adores, how to look beneath the surface of 'bad' behaviour to work out what might really be going on, how to encourage a child to be genuinely kind, how to encourage open self-expression, and how to handle the moods and gloom of adolescence.Importantly, this is a book that knows that perfection is not required - and could indeed be unhelpful, because a key job of any parent is to induct a child gently into the imperfect nature of everything. Written in a tone that is encouraging, wry and soaked in years of experience, The Good Enough Parent is an intelligent guide to raising a child who will one day look back on their childhood with just the right mixture of gratitude, humour and love.

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