Craig Knippenberg, a child and family therapist with a focus on trauma and parenting dynamics, shares insights on embracing 'good enough' parenting. He discusses the harmful effects of perfectionism and highlights the difference between healthy guilt and destructive shame. Craig emphasizes the importance of understanding a child's temperament and the power of intentional family rituals in fostering connection. He also addresses the challenges faced by single parents and the vital role of support networks in navigating today's parenting landscape.
36:38
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Good Enough Parenting Is Enough
Parents struggle with guilt and self-doubt, but parenting challenges have existed throughout history.
There's no super-parenting; being "good enough" is sufficient to raise resilient kids.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Model Kindness for Kids
Be kind consistently to others as a parent to naturally foster kindness in your children.
Kindness benefits both the receiver and the giver, building empathy lifelong.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Columbine Trauma Experience
After the Columbine shooting, Knippenberg's office served as a trauma triage center near the school.
It was a life-changing experience impacting him deeply as a child therapist.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Do you feel like you're falling short as a parent? Dr. Meg Meeker, pediatrician and parenting expert, sits down with child and family therapist Craig Knippenberg to unpack why “good enough” is more than enough in today’s complex parenting landscape.
Craig is the author of Shame-Free Parenting: Building Resiliency in Times of Hardship, Guns, and Social Media, and together, he and Dr. Meg explore how parents can stop chasing perfection and start parenting with compassion, consistency, and courage.
You’ll hear:
Why perfectionism creates disconnection—and what to do instead
How to distinguish healthy guilt from harmful shame
The overlooked role of temperament and trauma in parenting struggles
Tools for single parents, and why support networks matter more than ever
The healing power of small, intentional family rituals
🎉 Join Our New Parenting Community — FREE!
Get access to webinars, mini-courses, exclusive content, a private forum to connect with other parents, and so much more. Start parenting with more confidence and real support: 👉 meekerparenting.com
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction: The landscape of modern parenting
00:34 – Meet Craig Knippenberg: Therapist & author on shame-free parenting
01:24 – What does it mean to parent without shame?
01:41 – How parenting stress has evolved through history
05:12 – Why kindness toward ourselves as parents matters
06:30 – The personal impact of Columbine and working in trauma
13:40 – Temperament: The missing piece in parenting challenges
19:36 – How inconsistency creates confusion and behavioral issues
20:37 – Adjusting expectations and embracing flexibility
21:04 – The quiet power of being consistent
21:51 – Shame vs. accountability: What’s the difference?
22:44 – Understanding how guilt can be helpful—but shame is toxic
25:38 – Why middle school is a tough phase—and how to stay connected
29:02 – Tools and encouragement for single parents
31:33 – Simple, powerful family rituals that create safety
34:33 – Final thoughts and helpful resources
About Craig Knippenberg Craig Knippenberg is a licensed child and family therapist specializing in trauma, adolescent development, and parenting dynamics. His book Shame-Free Parenting is a compassionate guide to building emotionally safe homes amid modern challenges.
Sponsored by:
Hungryroot – 40% off + a free item in every box at hungryroot.com/drmeg (code DRMEG)
WHO SMARTED? – A podcast that makes kids laugh while they learn. Search “WHO SMARTED?” wherever you get your podcasts.
KiwiCo – $15 off your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com/DRMEG
Børn Shoes – Crafted for all-day support, top-quality style, and made to move with you. Get 15% off plus free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com – comfort never looked so good.
Summer Bridge Workbooks with IXL – Keep your kids learning and loving it this summer at summerbrains.com/DRMEG.
Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker