Susannah Kindred- Clinical Psychologist and Mum of Three

Episode Sub Title: "Perfectionism, Parenting & Lollipops: Susannah Kindred’s Guide to Being Good Enough"

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, host Tim Curtis welcomes Susannah Kindred, clinical psychologist, performance coach, and mum of three, to the Building Resilient Kids podcast. Together, they explore what it really looks like to juggle professional expertise and the raw realities of parenting — and how being a psychologist doesn’t mean you have all the answers at home!

Key themes and takeaways:

• Susannah’s life as a clinical psychologist, mindset coach, and mum to a 6.5, 3.5, and 1.5-year-old — and why she describes parenting as “a dance” rather than perfect harmony.
• The challenges of perfectionism in kids, and how to gently support children to try, fail, and build resilience (including a touching story of tennis, tears, and a well-timed lollipop).
•  Why “good enough parenting” beats striving for perfection — inspired by research on healthy attachment and resilience.
• Susannah’s reflections on temperament, personality, and how to nurture resilience whether kids are introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between.
• The balancing act of rewards and motivation: when a lollipop is okay, and where to draw the line.

This episode is filled with practical, real-world insights on parenting with compassion, curiosity, and courage — without needing to wear a “psychology hat” at all times.

👉 Learn more about Susannah and her work at: kindredthriving.com

 

(Even) More About Susannah: Susannah Kindred is a performance and mindset coach, trained clinical psychologist, and founder of KINDRED Thriving. She helps leaders, professionals, parents, elite athletes, and performing artists develop the mental and emotional skills to navigate challenges and excel with courage, curiosity, and compassion.

In her private practice, she has supported countless adolescents and parents, and as a mum of three young kids, she’s passionate about equipping people with the tools to navigate life with resilience and purpose.

 

Resources:

Susannah's website: https://kindredthriving.com/

About Wise Mind on DBT: https://dbtselfhelp.com/wise-mind/

On 'Good Enough Parenting': D.W. Winnicott introduced the concept of "good enough parenting," suggesting that parents don't need to be perfect to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. Instead, they should aim to be "good enough," meaning they adequately meet their child's basic physical and emotional needs, providing a secure base for development while also allowing for age-appropriate independence and frustration tolerance.