Good Enough Parenting: Reset your own parenting expectations for happier, self-reliant children

by Dr Tara Porter, Lucy Paterson (Narrator)

"Absolutely fascinating . . . I wholeheartedly recommend it. She's meeting people where they actually are . . . We all need it!" Ella Mills on The Wellness Scoop Podcast

"An incredible book . . . I have recommended it to every single one of my friends with minis. It's all about finding that 'messy middle', not trying to be a perfect parent, and she is just phenomenal in how she guides the 'modern parent' from newborn to secondary school." Chessie King

'A really useful guide. . . it's one of those books everybody should have on their shelf' Gabby Logan

'Tara Porter is your sanity-bestowing guru' Caitlin Moran

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Every parent wants health and happiness for their baby growing up - but how to achieve that?
What really is 'good enough' when it comes to parenting?

Parenting is in need of an update - we are living through unprecedented times and our children are struggling with their mental health. Dr Tara Porter is intent on reducing the pressure of modern parenting advice for both parents and children.

As a mother of three and practicing psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience, including within the NHS, Tara will show you how to find your 'good enough', an approach that allows you to define your own role, avoid parental guilt and espouse an approach of balanced, boundaried emotional support, whilst retaining your sense of sanity and self as you do so.

Discover Tara's three key principles

Relationship-based parenting at every age

Firm and kind parenting

Finding not neglectful or perfect parenting, but somewhere in the middle

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Reader

'We all know it's impossible to be perfect children, perfect parents but still we chase the impossible. This book says to stop trying to be perfect. We just need to be good enough. It explains clearly how to do it at different stages of a child's life. The book will work for parents, childcare and teaching professionals alike.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Porter honestly talks about her own parenting and professional expertise. She does not shy away from calling out the inconsistencies, soullessness or the unrealistic expectations of many parenting tips, and common practices in our modern world. I enjoyed her focus on love, support, joy, kindness and firmness, being good enough and acceptance of change . . . Very strong and engaging book that makes you feel okay to be good enough.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audible Audio

Published April 10, 2025

Reviews

[Nic Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Enough by Dr. Tara Porter is a warm, reassuring voice in the noisy world of parenting advice. Grounded in clinical experience and genuine empathy, it offers thoughtful guidance on raising children in today’s pressured culture.

Porter speaks with kindness, not judgment. She emphasises connection over perfection, and her psychological insights are helpful for navigating everything from screen time to self-esteem. It’s a book that wants to support, not shame—which is refreshing.

A comforting read for overwhelmed parents.

[Veronika S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me

While the author undoubtedly has some great ideas, the books is somewhat difficult to read - I found myself bored re-reading the same concepts over and over again - eg be kind and firm-ish

I wish the author has used her expensive experience to give some more practical tips and anonymised real life examples - the book is mostly theoretical

My main problem with the book however is that often it bordered on scaremongering - don’t do X, Y, Z and above all never push your child even a little bit or they will end up with mental health issues. I appreciate that the author deals with a lot of children with mental health issues caused by pushy parents but there are millions of children who grew up (mentally) healthy in competitive environments especially in developing world.

I found the screen time chapter underwhelming especially having read the Anxious Generation recently which was an incredible book and could have been used to feed these chapters.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book very reassuring and helpful for how to have more realistic expectations of parenting, that find a balance between neglectful and perfectionist and are ‘good enough.’

Three core things:
-Being a good enough parent, not neglectful perfect, but something in the middle
-Relationship based Parent (adapting to your child and your relationship with them)
-Being firm and kind in parenting (if these are a conflict always be kind)

If we strive to be a perfect parent and focused on how we are seen, we will miss being in tune with our child and the irony is there will be negative consequences for our child, anything but perfect.

Any parenting style, whether that’s behaviourism (sleep training, firmness etc) or gentle parenting et cetera taken to the extreme is unhelpful. We need to aim for middle of good enough relationship parenting.

[Preet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good read! A little repetitive at times (likely necessary though given the importance of the topic as a whole).

Would recommend.

As a father (and psychologist) ‘to be’, I really enjoyed the reminder that ‘the relationship is more important than anything else’.

Perhaps I’ll try and come back to this book in a few months/ years again and find some deeper meaning, hidden gems and life lessons.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening framework perfect for parents who really don't want to ef-up their kids and their relationship with them. Fundamentally, her framework is to be kind and firm. To help us feel good enough parents, and for our children to feel good and enough. Definitely recommend for all parents at any stage - the book covers from babies to adulthood.