Ep. 277: Shame-Free Parenting: Embracing Good Enough with Craig Knippenberg

Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

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

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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.

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