So many of us parent the way our parents did – because it’s the only example we’ve had a chance to see up close. We think one of the ways to remedy this is to create a space where people can share stories of the things they feel their parents did right, so we can all learn from those examples.

Clint Latham

My upbringing was challenging, marked by a strained relationship with my parents. Our communication ceased over a decade ago. As a child, the sound of gravel crunching under my parents’ car tires was a daily harbinger of the unpredictable nature of our household—oscillating between verbal and physical confrontations. Reflecting on my childhood, I recognize the hardships my parents faced. Read more>>

Diane Garoni

My name is Diane Garoni, and I am your Blue Fish Finder. Back in early 1997, my father thoughtfully gifted me my very first piece of Blue Fish clothing. It was from a fancy little boutique just outside of the Washington Metro area. I often frequented their shop, browsing through their racks of Fish, as if I was a customer who just may make a purchase! Read more>>

Nicole Freed

My dad was very close to his grandfather who started a business in the small town of Hemlock, MI in the year 1937. While the economy was heading towards recovery- it didn’t get “good” till WELL into the 1940’s. This taught me “don’t wait till” and that you can be successful DESPITE circumstances. It’s not the weather’s fault, or the economy’s fault, or a person’s fault if you’re not doing well- because if this man could build a successful business 2 years before the end of the depression- what excuse do I have? lol Read more>>

Ben Askew

Growing up I had a really hard time learning how to read. I made it all the way to 6th grade with a 2nd grade reading level. When I was young my mom would marvel at how much I loved books. I would sit and turn through the pages. To her this meant I would be a great reader like she was. Unfortunately, little did she know, I was studying the pictures. Read more>>

Paul Johnson

My father hitch hiked across the USA when he was 7 with his 9 year old brother. My mother picked cabbage and became a waitress. They married and had 9 children. They did so much right. They worked hard, they believed you could accomplish anything in America, and we always felt as if they admired us. Read more>>

Kathleen Denis

When I was four years old my parents sacrificed financially for me to take art lessons. Initially, they sent me because my older brother was taking classes, but the owner of the art center convinced my parents of my talent and encouraged further training. My teacher, a fashion illustrator for Jordan Marsh department store in Miami, FL, taught me how to draw figures in pencil, and pen and ink. I would first copy a fashion illustration in a magazine and then he would cover it up for me to sketch from memory. Read more>>

Bobby Mahoney

My parents are both extremely hard working people, and are also avid music-lovers and supporters. They introduced me to music at an early age, from music-for-kids like Raffi and Mr. Ray, to rock music like Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Meatloaf, The Beatles and many more. My parents always supported my music career without trying to manage me or take control of my business, which I think is one of the best things they did. Read more>>

Anita Gail Jones

My mother, Mrs. Irene Gaines Jones, was an elementary school teacher/librarian and my father, Mr. Silas Jones, worked as a lard renderer at a meat packing plant, so I grew up in a light blue collar household. Neither of my parents considered themselves artists, and yet they supported both my older sister, Dr. Bettye Jean Jones, and me in our journeys in the arts: theater arts for Bettye, visual & literary arts for me. Read more>>

Carlos Zapater Oliva

My parents always encouraged me to draw since I was little. From the beginning they saw a potential in me that they wanted me to develop and they wanted to help me from the beginning to achieve it. At that time, I didn’t want to listen to his advice and preferred to do other things like listen to music, hanging out with my friends and be a teenager. Read more>>

Yulia Brodskaya

I want to acknowledge the importance of the support and encouragement that I received (and still receive) from my family. They encouraged (and sometimes pushed) me to keep creating, never saying or implying that drawing or painting is a waste of time or comes secondary to any other activities or academic studies (which I did well at anyways dealing a golden child syndrome :-) ). Read more>>

AUSTIN YEH

Growing up in a household where my Chinese immigrant parents, who had faced poverty in India, instilled invaluable lessons that continue to shape my life. Despite their humble beginnings, my parents exemplified the virtues of hard work and resilience, traits that have become the cornerstones of my own journey. Read more>>

Anastacia C.C. Davis Gilmore

My grandfather, Hilrie Kemp Jr. (my mother’s father) was an artist. He was an avid drawer. One day his mother told him “A Black man can’t make no money off of drawing, you need to get a real job.” She wasn’t trying to break his spirit, or change who he was, she just wanted him to survive. My grandfather heeded her no-so-subtle advice and led a stable, professional life. He joined the military and managed to care for a young wife and their three children, one of those kids being my mother. Read more>>

KEIDA MASCARO

I was very lucky to have hippie parents, who were cultured and curious, and instilled a strong interest in the arts, reading, music, and food. I grew up eating home-cooked food every day. I also had very creative grandparents who decorated their house with wonderful recreations of Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec and Modigliani. my grandfather used to make everything out of wood that he collected in the trash bins at his local lumberyard. I spent my first five years in a house that was built in the late 1700s in upstate New York, a house so that all of the interior doors were latched. Read more>>

Lani Rosales

In 1981, I was born to two very young parents – an accident, which they never brought up or punished us for.  You may not realize it, but that sentence packs a LOT of information, for example, you now know I’m an elder millennial on the verge of a Gen Xer, that my folks were pretty light hearted, and as you suspected, there was a shotgun wedding. Read more>>

Aisha Raison

My father was a conservative, and my mother gave me feminism. Growing up in the seventies, I had a variety of everything in my family, so I was constantly learning, running around with paper and pencil in my hand while taking notes of what I saw. My grandmother was a beautician who constantly took us to church and had us in programs with the Girl Scouts and Sunshine Band, so there was always a stage. Read more>>

Meghan Wasinger

Raised in a vibrant Italian-Irish Catholic household in Boston, I was the fifth of many siblings. The heart of our home was my mother, a quintessential Italian matriarch. Her warmth and hospitality knew no bounds. Our kitchen, always filled with the aromas of garlic, onions, and tomatoes, was a hub of ceaseless activity and open doors. My mother’s ability to make anyone feel at home, whether it was encyclopedia salesmen or missionaries, left a profound impact on me. Read more>>

Scarlett Lam

I love this question! In a nutshell, I have really come to appreciate everything my parents got right and am in awe of everything they were able to do and accomplish. They represent the epitome of the “American Dream” as Chinese Immigrants who left China for Hong Kong then to Caracas, Venezuela and eventually landing in Brooklyn, NY, where my sister and I were born. My parents got a lot right just by being the people that they are. Read more>>

Mary E. Tyler

With her 8th-grade education, my mother was among the most intelligent, just, and compassionate individuals I know. She taught us to speak up when we saw individuals being mistreated or victimized. At a very young age, she instilled in me the “responsibility” of caring for others in need. As a youth, I observed my mother’s compassion towards others and outspokenness when she saw someone mistreated or victimized. My mother modeled the traits I aspired to have and later took on in my adult life. Read more>>

Leilani Wells

Both of my parents went against societal norms throughout their lives. They each tried their hand at different entrepreneurial endeavors and believed in dreaming. When I was a young adult my mother opened up her own acting studio. For years prior to that, I had watched her go to classes and get jobs in the industry here and there. When she branched out and opened her own studio it was inspiring, to say the least. Read more>>

Louise Traficanti

My parents never questioned me going to Art College even though there was no obvious career choice that evolves from that path. They understood that this was my path and I would not be happy doing anything else. They always encouraged and supported me: I realize that not everyone’s parents are as supportive of their children’s career and I only hope that I can do the same to my own children as they navigate life. Read more>>

Liz Bouma

From an early age, my mom taught me the value of working. I had always been provided for, but my mom made very clear that discipline and grit get you far. When I was 8, my mom bought me a horse. She told me if she touched that horse, it’s over. In order to take care of my horse and fulfill my passions of riding, I needed to learn every aspect of that horse to make sure I understood what he and I needed. Read more>>

Clare Cunningham

My parents always encouraged me to do what made me happy. I am one of four children and we are all so uniquely different but we were definitely all go-getters and were allowed to follow our passions. No questions asked. Most parents would shudder if their child told them that they wanted to be a ‘rockstar’ (This was my wish since I was 3 years old!) especially in an industry that can chews you in and can spit you out! Read more>>

Mariah Miranda

I was raised by a woman with a strong wild & entrepreneurial spirit who has championed me literally every step of my journey. As a child, any interest I had, she facilitated. Horse back riding? Done. Acoustic guitar lessons? Done. Small business selling natural dog treats to the neighbors? No problem. Even as a single parent running her own private bodywork business she made sure I had the means to explore my interests and passions which lead me to photography. Read more>>

Renee Belz

My parents always set an excellent example of living a healthy lifestyle. They never pushed it on me but always had healthy food options at home and led by role modeling. When I went off to college, I became very sick as I started eating more unhealthy foods, not prioritizing sleep and living a high-stress lifestyle. Read more>>

Wong Wai Tung

My parents have always been supportive of me no matter what I do. Ever since I’m a kid, my dad would buy a game console for me and play together. Right now I’m grown up, and both my dad & mom still play games with me! I think my parents really care and make sure that I’m happy all the time, which I’ll forever be grateful. In essence, my parents’ simple yet profound acts have not only fostered joy and connection but have also impacted my approach to life and career decisions. Read more>>

Andre Smith

My parents raised me with values and morals and expressed to me diligently that I could do anything thing I wanted in life as long as I put God first and the hard work to follow. They taught me that consistency was the key to learning and honing any craft. Show taught me that success didn’t come easy but I would have to earn it. Respect others and to always use what ever platform I am given to uplift Gods name. Read more>>

Jennifer Garcia

One thing my parents did right was tell me to always do what I loved BUT they did not say “and you’ll never work a day in your life.” They said I would work regardless of the journey. But using my god given talent was a must! I always had instilled in my mind that I would have to work hard but make the hard work work with it! Baking is something I love, something I enjoy. It is of course hard work but I enjoy it and I enjoy when I reach a new level of creativity. Read more>>

Reema Trehan

I have always knew i wanted to be in the creative industry. I love mixing different materials and textures, i am more of an aesthetician (recently learned this word so imma use it) than an artist. I was so lucky to be born in India and to be exposed to the plethora of arts and handicraft. My parents saw this in me and enrolled me to every possible government subsidised craft class. Read more>>

Pamela Terry

My mother started reading to me before I could sit up good. I could read before I ever started school and even now, a bookshop is far more tantalizing to me than a jewelry store. I remember on Saturdays when I was little, we’d go to the huge Carnegie Library on Forsyth Street in downtown Atlanta. That building looked like a palace, marble walls and high ceilings; the architecture itself seems to revere literature, which was the intention, I suppose. Read more>>

Gabe Howard

As a speaker and a podcaster, I’m fond of publicly sharing that when it came to helping me with bipolar disorder my parents did everything wrong. In fact, I was 26 when I was diagnosed because my parents didn’t notice the symptoms at all. They believed that the symptoms of bipolar they were witnessing were behavioral issues. So, they did what most parents would do and punished me. Read more>>

Dan Wang

1. My parents gave me enough freedom to learn art when I was young, and made me have the desire to be an artist when I was still a child 2. My parents strongly opposed my continuing to study art when I was a teenager, and they wanted me to have a stable job when I grew up, which gave me an incredible enthusiasm to continue to study art as a rebel at that age. 3. Fortunately, my parents chose to support me to live the life I like after I became an adult, so they gave me great emotional support when I encountered difficulties on the road of continuing to pursue art. Read more>>

Malebona Maphutse

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have my mother as an unwavering presence in my life. From a very young age, she immersed me in the world of art, introducing me to numerous professionals who became mentors. Starting at the age of 5, she not only encouraged but actively facilitated my performances in front of our church congregation. Recognizing my potential, she fondly recalls how I spent hours crafting stories and characters using my dolls and teddy bears, often remembering specific details of these creative endeavors. Read more>>

Josh Flynn

I watched my dad growing up, he always had an evolving business and didn’t several different things and showed me you don’t have to clock in for some one. My mom taught me to live for today. They were totally different which helped even me out a lil… even though I lean towards my mom in alot of aspects. Read more>>

Monell Petties
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One of the best things my mom did for me was teach me independence. I remember turning 15 and my mom made me get a job. I finally landed my first job at a clothing store in the mall which was about 15-20 mins drive from our home. I was so excited. Then my mom looked at me and said, “How are you going to get to work?” My expectation was that my mom would take me. Read more>>

Marly Garman

Childhood is a time of wonder and experimentation like no other in a person’s life. I am very grateful to my family for teaching me the importance of money-mindedness and skepticism. How one learns to understand the world around them sets the basis for the future they will create. It’s all a matter of how you choose to look at it. I was fortunate that my family was very open to discussing finances. Read more>>

Casey Mauro

“Casey will do it whether we say yes or no anyway” My parents have always been great parents to the best of their abilities to me my sister and brother. They took us everywhere with them, never complained about us being “inconvenient” or a burden to their lives. I felt part of the collective, because I am. I hear so many parents these days trying to get sitters and nanny’s 24/7 to raise their kids and always complaining about their kids. I always felt welcome and safe in my home. Read more>>

Dev Makker

A phrase keeps ringing in the back of my head everytime I try to answer this question, this is my sixth attempt, “Show me you’re passionate.” For a large part of my early to mid teens, my father would remind me of this as I was stepping up to making decisions about what I wanted to do in life, as a career and a goal. Read more>>

Isaiah Boozer

My mother being a single black parent raising me in the South, taught me a lot about what it means to survive in this world as a black person. She taught me that not everything needs to be defined by my race, but that my race is incredibly important & is a gift to be treasured. In her passing I have learned that I am the prize of my ancestors and me surviving and living a life filled with grace, equity, determination, and fearlessness in the face of such insurmountable adversity is exactly how they would want me to live. Read more>>

Hayden Bright

Oh, man. What DIDN’T my parents do right? My parents have always been my biggest supporters in life with whatever it is that I choose to do. They’ve always made sure I had what I needed, but instilled the understanding that every good thing had to be worked for. I grew up in sports, and there was never a game (and rarely even ever a practice) that at least one of them wouldn’t be there for. Growing up, they always let me explore new hobbies and interests without any hesitation; Especially with music. Read more>>

Allison Miyamoto

Being the youngest of 8 kids comes with a lot of people to look up to and learn from. So the majority of my life lessons were from watching my older siblings, asking them questions or of course learning on my own. As I started my business I realized that being a business owner is in my blood as both of my parents share the same traits. I don’t know if they realized this but they taught us all to be responsible and work hard. We always had a chore to do or something to help with before we could have fun. Read more>>

Robert Dorfman

Without question, my biggest inspiration is my mom. She is an absolute rockstar. Growing up, I remember she would work two jobs while taking PhD courses at night – all while raising me as a single mother. My grandparents wanted her to focus on her career, so they had me stay with them and helped her raise me. No matter how much she worked, my mom always made time for me and made me feel like I was the most important person in her life. Read more>>

Shayla Paradeis

They recognized that I was delightfully crazy because I’m made out of both of them. Though there were things that were outrageously different for me than the expectations they grew up with, they supported me. My mother believed in me as a musical theater actress. My father was proud of me when I announced my first thru-hike. They both show unwavering support for me as I shape all of my amblings into a career. Read more>>

Jayme Bushmiaer-Davis

Decades after my mother’s passing and I’m still in awe of her ability to radiate joy. She was effortless. In quick chats with friends, in the playing of a duet on the piano with her bestie, tucked into quick squeezes or a kiss placed on the cheek of a daughter. Her joy rang out in the planting of flowers and in the easy delight she took in watching her piano students learn to play well. Read more>>

Kate Brody

My parents were both big readers. We always had books around the house, and my mom would take my sisters and me to the library to pick out any other books we wanted. Not only did they not police my reading choices, they would often encourage me to read adult literature. In some cases, the books my dad recommended were WAY over my head (i.e. reading A Separate Peace in grade school), but I still thinking that exposure is what fostered my love of language. Read more>>