Why “Good Enough” Parenting Is More Than Enough
- willowtreehealingc
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
As a therapist for moms and kids, I hear it all the time: “I just want to be the best mom I can be.” That desire is beautiful—but it can also come with a lot of pressure. We live in a world full of parenting advice, social media comparison, and a never-ending stream of “shoulds.” But what if being good enough is actually the goal?
The term “good enough mother” was coined by pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott. His research found that children don’t need perfect parents—they need present ones. In fact, perfection isn’t just impossible, it can actually interfere with a child’s development. When parents allow room for small mistakes and normal frustrations, kids learn resilience, problem-solving, and emotional flexibility.
So what does “good enough” parenting look like?
It looks like apologizing to your child when you snap and showing them how to repair.
It looks like fast food on a busy night instead of a homemade meal.
It looks like setting boundaries with love—even when your child doesn’t like it.
It looks like showing up, again and again, even when you're tired or unsure.
The truth is, your presence matters far more than your perfection. If you're showing up with care, doing your best, and trying again when things don’t go as planned, you're doing more than enough.
This week, give yourself permission to let go of “perfect” and lean into “present.” Your kids don’t need a flawless parent—they need a human one.
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If you are looking for family counseling, Mary Willoughby Prentiss is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia who provides online therapy for Willow Tree Healing Center. She enjoys transforming the lives of women, college students, kids, tweens/teens, and families through providing communication strategies, coping skills that work, allowing a safe space to be heard, and actively working towards helping you with your challenges. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (ages 2-7) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counsels substance abuse in teens and adults, and practices Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
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