This chapter examines the limits of the state’s competence in childrearing. It argues that while the state may be justified in enforcing a baseline of adequacy, it lacks the knowledge, continuity and moral standing to mandate care beyond this level. Drawing on legal, psychological and philosophical sources, I argue that state intervention above the adequacy threshold not only exceeds its legitimate role but also often undermines the very goods it seeks to protect, including the integrity of the parent–child relationship and the value of parental judgement.