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.

About the Author

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.