"I meet many parents who are trying so hard to be perfect parents, to make everything just right for their children, that they're draining away their pleasure in parenting.  They're too exhausted and too unconsciously resentful to enjoy the amazing show of childhood.  For these parents, every minute needs to count. [...]

My advice to all of these parents is to tolerate some low-quality time.  Have a little less ambition for yourself and your children.  Plan nothing -- disappoint your kids with your essential mediocrity and the dullness of your home.  Just hang around your children and wait to see what develops.  Strive to be a "good enough" parent, not a great one.  It can make everyone in the family relax and paradoxically make life richer."