Good Enough Parenting: A Six-Point Plan for a Stronger Relationship With Your Child

by Timothy A. Cavell, Lauren B. Quetsch

Written for parents of children from toddlers to teens, this book gives parents a science-based plan to help their children grow up to be emotionally healthy adults.

To build healthy and lasting parent-child relationships, parents need practical strategies that meet their child's needs and address the circumstances that affect their families. A parent's job unfolds and shifts over time. Concerns about sleep become worries about tantrums; anxieties about sharing become fears about grades and acting out in school. These concerns are natural, but many parents struggle to handle it all. Some feel drained, some lash out, and some feel like the worst parents in the world. 

This book shows parents how to use a six-step program to build a stronger relationship with their child. It teaches parents how to set parenting goals, prioritize their own emotional health, and create a structure for their family. Having laid that three-step foundation, parents learn the importance of accepting their child for who they are, containing their behavior, and acting as a leader. Prioritizing these six areas and making a plan for them will allow readers to parent proactively rather than reactively and focus on what matters most. No one can be a perfect parent, but you can be a good enough parent, one who shepherds their child toward a healthy, productive adulthood.
 

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

247 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2022

Reviews

[Lynsee Manning · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overview of holistic parenting, or parenting in a way that emphasizes the importance of your parents child relationship. I really liked the name, I was really hopeful I'd love it. It wasn't my favorite, but it's also clearly not created for parents of kiddos with additional needs.

[Kelly Green's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written book is essentially a guide to help and support parents in building a better way to parent your children. I was pleased to see that the tone was super supportive and there was no criticism or judgment of parents, and the authors were very understanding of parents that “do their best”.

The one point I found beyond valuable was the question they posed to their readers “What are our goals as parents?”. How often do we stop and think why what it is that we want for our children? And what we think our goals for our children are (successful, safe, love healthy) are actually goals for their future. The authors ask parents to focus instead on what’s important and what matters. The 6-point plan for good enough parenting is rather helpful and a good basis for building or re-establishing a foundational parenting plan.

Overall, very good information and great perspectives on parenting.

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & American Psychological Association

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book was the emphasis they put on tending to (and when necessary) repairing the parent-child relationship. I think this approach felt more realistic and more do-able to me from a parenting perspective: are the choices you’re making in your parenting healthy for the growth and development of your child but also being done in a way that maintains and protects your relationship with your child and their relationship with themself? That’s not to say that relationship comes at the price or loss of “discipline”, but focuses on how to teach and contain behavior in a way that still offers a sense of belonging and acceptance to your child.

As a very relationship-oriented person this gave me new perspective and is a little more in line with a style of parenting that actually feels natural to me while being also being realistic and useful. Didn’t feel too much guilt reading this one either!

I gave it 4 stars because the formatting was a little bit confusing and even though it was only a 6-point parenting plan, it did feel a bit overwhelming at times. Very informative and educational though and I will definitely be changing my focus and using some of these strategies.

[Megan Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really great basic book about parenting. I listened to the audiobook narrated by both therapist authors. It validates where the reader is in parenting with practical improvements to make. I really felt validated knowing what I am doing is great and impactful. That sometimes just what I am trying is “good enough.” I appreciated all the insightful studies and researched that was shared as well as the real life scenarios. My favorite part of the entire book was chapter 3 Health. It was a great reminder that when I first take care of myself with self care I can better take care of everyone else. I also LOVED the part about mindfulness and mindful parenting. I could read or talk about the benefits of being mindful for an entire book.

Overall it’s a great basic book with helpful do able strategies for parents of all ages. No matter your family size, ages, or circumstance this is an easily digestible parenting book.

[CK Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Enough Parenting is a great resource for parents and professionals alike. The concept is that you want to just be a "good enough" parent, but we all know that it isn't as easy as it looks. It breaks down the parent child relationship and provides explanations on how to provide the support/ways to navigate through the difficult times of the parent-child relationship. This book is a great gift to someone who is navigating the younger 8-10 years old age and even the 11-16 ages where the child-parent relationship can become strained. The writing and format is slightly confusing, but it reads like a school textbook. It is very informational so be sure to bring your pen and notebook!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC all opinions are my own.

[Ännä · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Enough Parenting embraces the trend of focusing not only on the child, but on the parents as well. We can only parent effectively when we acknowledge our own strengths weaknesses. I'm of the school of thought that doesn't believe that adults have it all together, nor do I believe that the parent is always right. I like the way this book blends humor and encouragement to teach parenting "good enough" parenting strategies.

Thanks to the authors Timothy Cavell and Lauren Quetsch, APA Publishing, and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
ived a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & American Psychological Association

[kar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Enough Parenting is a resource for parents and even professionals. The concept is that you want to just be a "good enough" parent, The book includes a discussion of the relationship between parent and child; and provides explanations on how to navigate through difficult times. It included information about creating goals for families, and then ways to implement these goals. I felt this book was an easy and effective tool to use. Thank you NetGalley and author/publisher for this advanced copy.

[Carolyn Amate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Enough Parenting is a wonderful guide for parents raising children. I was impressed and encouraged by how the author was so very supportive of parents in this book. I'm sure any parent reading this would agree. The book gives outlines to assist parents to think about goals for their families and ways to implement these goals. I felt this book was an easy and effective tool to use.

I would like to show my appreciation to APA and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this offered a good range of basic parenting topics that would be needed to course correct when families are running into issues without being too academic. It didn't go into as much detail on specific scenarios as some other books, but I thought the section on selective discipline in particular was a new concept to me that I was glad to learn about.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an enjoyable read and that the authors did a very good job in laying out a lot of helpful information for parents to help create a better relationship with their children. This information was easy to digest and put a lot of things into perspective for parents. I really appreciated the supportive tone throughout the book of parents just trying to do their best. Great read!

[Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m reading this book more out of curiosity than need.

I guess I’m lucky to have a mild-mannered child, which makes the book somewhat useless to me. Although it might help parents with difficult children.

It has a lot of practical advice, but didn’t quote psychological research studies to follow up.
(It has two pages of references)

[Adrianne Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5 for Good Reads. Very approachable, relatable, and practical guide for the parent trying hard to raise good kids but getting lost in the muck of the day to day. Lots of very very good advice, some I tossed out for personal discrepancies. Highly recommend to any modern parent looking for less judgment and more perspective!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

His book had some great advice. It definitely helps the reader reflect on their relationship with their children and work towards a more positive. I loved the third option and how it can help kids use agency in an age appropriate way. Overall, a nice read.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for all parents! This helped with the mom guilt and helped put my mind at ease. Being a parent doesn’t come with a handbook but this one gives you some great advice.

[Jonathan Gulick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on parenting that doesn't talk down to you.

[Kristen Rajski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is much more for parents in bad or questionable situations. Not so much for infant/toddler parents.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t bad just not practical and I knew everything it said so far anyway, so didn’t see any point in continuing. DNF 14%

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theme Song: Have It All by Jason Mraz

[Fernanda Ramirez]

Definitely a book I will revisit when my kids are toddlers or older.

[Nap Trap Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I will revisit this when my children are older,. I like the first 3/4 of the book and completely disengaged when he was reviewing punishment.

[Louise Donegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book by concluding that I am actually a good enough parent, which was win! I like the premise that perfection is impossible. Some good tips in here.

[Kelly Dries · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fits the title well. It was good enough. It wasn't my favorite parenting book; however, it was still quite good. It contained several snippets of wisdom with strategies that I could use and immediately apply to my parenting. What I appreciated most is the angle with which the authors Cavell and Quetsch ask parents what their goal is - and what they hope to get out of parenting. This, while simple, is not a question I had asked myself or paused to reflect on. I appreciated the chance for reflection on this and other questions posed throughout the book. While I likely won't reread this one, it was definitely worth the first read through, especially for new parents.