Why 'Good Enough' Parenting Is Exactly What Your Kids Need

Why 'Good Enough' Parenting Is Exactly What Your Kids Need

Author: Michelle Kenney, M. Ed May 29, 2025 Duration: 12:28

Okay, friend, let's discuss the pressure of being the "perfect" parent. If you've felt overwhelmed by a toddler’s grocery store meltdown or a teen defying you, this episode is for you. I've been in the trenches, thinking perfect parenting meant perfectly behaved children and would validate me.  


Today, I’ll share my journey with perfectionism in parenting, revealing how it harmed my relationship with my kids. My desperation for them to "behave" led to threats, bribes, and yelling, making me feel like a failure. The incredible thing I discovered is that our children need connected parents, not perfect ones. In this episode, we'll explore how shifting focus from controlling behavior to nurturing relationships can transform everything. Letting go of perfection opens us to a more peaceful, joyful, and connected way of parenting.


If you're ready to embrace imperfection and strengthen bonds with your children, this episode might just be the breakthrough you've been searching for.


In This Episode, You'll Discover:

👉 Perfection is unattainable, and not your goal

👉 Connection is your true parenting goal

👉 Perfectionism can breed perfectionist kids

👉 "Good enough" parenting is enough

👉 Relationships take precedence over behavior

👉 My journey from control to connection

========

📖 If my story resonates with you, you can find more about my journey in my book, Unpunished.


🔗 Interested in group or 1:1 Coaching? Book a Discovery Call today.


💌 Enjoy today’s episode? Please share it with a fellow parent or leave a rating and a review.


Follow Peace and Parenting:

YouTube: @peaceandparentingla

Instagram: @peaceandparenting

Facebook: @peaceandparentingla

Peace and Parenting Facebook Group




Interested in learning how to balance parenting and technology? Join my Plugged in Parenting seminar on April 29-30: https://peaceandparentingla.com/event-understanding-kids-technology

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

You know the principles of gentle parenting and value attachment, but the day-to-day reality of raising kids can leave those ideals feeling just out of reach. If you’re exhausted by cycles of yelling, shame, and frustration, and you’re searching for a practical, grounded alternative that still provides clear boundaries, you’ve found a thoughtful space to explore. Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments is hosted by Michelle Kenney, M. Ed, who brings her perspective as a former teacher, counselor, certified parenting coach, and a mom of two teenagers. She also openly shares her own journey as a recovering yeller, making her guidance deeply empathetic and real. In this podcast, Michelle moves beyond theory to discuss the actual application of peaceful parenting. Conversations focus on dismantling the urge to punish and replacing it with connection-based strategies that actually work during tough moments. You’ll hear honest discussions about setting limits with respect, navigating emotional outbursts (both yours and your child’s), and fostering a home environment rooted in cooperation rather than control. Each episode aims to provide actionable insights that help you build a calmer, more respectful family dynamic, one conversation at a time. It’s a resource for anyone ready to parent in a way that feels better, honors the relationship, and genuinely moves away from punitive measures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments
Podcast Episodes
The #1 Factor for Raising Successful Children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:58
Are You Taking Care of Yourself as a Parent? We all want our kids to thrive, but what if the key to their success lies in our own happiness? In this episode, I dive into the research from the University of Ohio that expl…
Case Study: How to Stop Fixing Your Child's Feelings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:54
What if we didn't need to fix our children's feelings? Imagine if the key to a peaceful household lies not in solving every problem but in simply being present. Today, we explore the transformative power of witnessing ou…
Punishments Won’t Help Your Kid Prepare for the “Real World” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:14
Today, I tackle one of the most common concerns I hear from parents: Am I doing my kids a disservice by not using punishments and consequences? Many argue that without experiencing the "real world" of control and manipul…
Case Study: Why Rewards Aren't Working in Your Potty Training Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:34
Is your child resisting potty training? What if the secret to smoother potty training is all about connection? Join me today as I tackle a common parenting dilemma: potty training with one of my Instagram followers, Jami…
Why Don’t My Kids Listen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:56
Ever feel like every request turns into a battle with your kids? You ask them to put their shoes on, help with chores, or even just sit down for dinner, and instead of cooperation, you get resistance or silence. It’s fru…
Case Study: How to Stop Fighting Over Screen Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:09
Is your child constantly glued to their screen? Do you feel torn between setting strict boundaries and fostering trust? In today’s world, technology is everywhere, and balancing it with real-life connection can feel over…
Are You Giving Your Kids Real Choices or Empty Options? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
What if offering your child choices isn't really giving them autonomy? Have you ever considered that the choices you present might feel manipulative? Let’s delve into the nuanced world of offering choices and explore how…
How to Navigate Parental Guilt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:53
What if the key to being a better parent isn't being perfect but embracing our imperfections? It's time to get real about the rollercoaster journey of parenting, which is filled with mistakes, learning, and growth.Today,…
Case Study: What to Do When Your Child Says "No" to Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:28
What do you do when a nine-year-old flat-out refuses to take a shower? How might giving your child more autonomy reduce daily power struggles? In today's episode, we dive into these nuanced dynamics of connected parentin…