Encore: Why you should aim to be a “good enough” parent, with Tim Cavell, PhD, and Lauren Quetsch, PhD

Parenting expectations today often create excessive anxiety and burnout, necessitating a shift toward the "good enough" model. This approach, championed by clinical psychologists Dr. Tim Cavell and Dr. Lauren Quetsch, emphasizes building a strong, supportive parent-child relationship over the pursuit of perfection. By adopting the 80-20 rule, parents prioritize the containment of significant behavioral issues like aggression while ignoring minor, non-consequential habits. This strategy preserves parental authority and ensures that the majority of interactions remain positive or neutral. Rather than attempting to shape a child’s future through rigid control, parents should adopt a posture of discovery, accepting their children's unique temperaments and values. Ultimately, intentional, relationship-centered parenting fosters long-term well-being and stability, moving away from the pressure to meet unrealistic, high-stakes standards.