What Does ‘Good Enough’ Parenting Look Like? 

Parenting Perspective 

‘Good enough’ is not about lowering standards. It is about knowing which standards actually nurture your child, and which only exhaust you. Perfection is not a requirement in parenting. Presence, consistency, and repair are far more impactful. 

An Emotionally Safe Home 

A good parent creates a home where their child feels emotionally safe, seen, and loved. That does not mean every moment is handled with flawless calm. It means the parent is willing to come back, to reconnect, and to take responsibility when things go wrong. 

Moving from Performance to Purpose 

If you are unsure what ‘good enough’ looks like, try asking: Is my child afraid of me, or do they feel safe with me? Do I listen to their voice, even if I do not always agree? Do I acknowledge my own mistakes? These questions move you away from performance and closer to purpose. 

Many parents fall into the trap of perfectionism out of love,wanting to give their child every advantage. But when perfection becomes the goal, warmth and flexibility start to disappear. A child needs a human parent, not a faultless one. Your ability to adapt, reflect, and repair teaches your child how to handle their own humanity. 

Define Your Values 

Instead of chasing ‘perfect parenting’, define your values. For example: ‘In our home, we handle mistakes with honesty.’ Then practise that, even imperfectly. That is what shapes a child’s inner world more than whether their parent got every detail right. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty did not create humans to be flawless. We are created to strive with sincerity and to return to Him when we fall short. That model of striving and returning is deeply relevant to parenting. 

A Reminder to Strive Within Your Ability 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Taghaabun (64), verse 16: 

‘So, seek piety from Allah (Almighty) with your utmost capacity, and listen and obey, and spend for yourselves with what is goodness…’ 

This Verse affirms that what is expected from each person is not perfection, but effort within their capacity. ‘As much as you are able’ is a merciful boundary, one that reminds a parent to remain within what is humanly sustainable. 

The Prophetic Model: Effort and Intention Matter More 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Be moderate and seek closeness to perfection and know that none of you will enter Paradise because of his deeds alone.‘

[Sahih Muslim, 52:75] 

This Hadith highlights that effort and intention matter more than the illusion of perfection. Even the best of actions are not the only factors based on which we will chosen for our destiny or sent to Jannah. The mercy of Allah is also important in navigating whether we will be sent to Jannah or not.   

Apply this to parenting: bring sincere effort, return when you fall, and stay humble. That is ‘good enough’ in a way that honours both your role and your limits. Let that be the line you draw, not perfection, but purposeful presence.