Today we’d like to take a moment to applaud the parents who despite many challenges, did they best they could and did right by their kids. We asked folks to share stories of what they feel their parents got right and have shared highlights below.

Melanie Hernandez

I must say, I have been blessed with amazing parents who have impacted my life and inspired me in so many ways. My parents are professional entertainers and have been forming bands and performing together since before I was born. I was raised going to band practices and with music and musical instruments all around me in my home. I naturally was inspired to sing and play and have been doing so all my life with their guidance. They enrolled me in the Performing Arts Magnet Program at Van Nuys High School where my passion and abilities bloomed even more and then I went on to be a music major at Los Angeles Valley College for a while and continued to dabble in music at UCLA. My parents gave me my first steps and the tools needed for my musical journey and they continue to inspire and teach me today. Read more>>

Patrick Panella

Like most young people, I thought my parents were wrong about almost everything. Of course I was misguided. My parents taught me many things — amongst the most valuable were self-reliance and resourcefulness. They never handed me anything. Everything I achieved in life was through hard work and perseverance. As a child my father would compel us to work manual labor jobs around the house on the weekends and also for other people. We were generously paid 75 cents an hour regardless of the task and regardless of our desire to work. Little did I understand at the time that it was a paid internship of sorts and not illegal child labor. But I developed a skill set and an understanding of things even though at the time my only feeling was that my father was stealing my weekends from me. Read more>>

Cassandra Balbas

When I was 9, my dad signed a 3-year contract with his company to relocate to Hong Kong. At the time, my family—my parents, younger brother, grandma, and I—were living in Anaheim, CA and we had just moved into a new home one year prior. Rather than uproot the entire family right away, my parents decided to test out a long distance relationship for one year, and then re-evaluate from there. It was tough for everyone, but especially on my mom, who had to raise her two young kids (just 9 and 5 years old) with her mother-in-law. Read more>>

Jake Kenobi

It was clear from the beginning that they just wanted me to be me. When I took an interest in art, specifically drawing, they made sure I knew I could pursue it in whatever capacity felt right. When I was young, it was taking art classes in the summer. As I got older, it was letting me paint my first mural on my bedroom wall. No matter what direction my life went, the feeling that all they wanted for me was to pursue what brought me joy & fulfillment was like a safety net that made it ok to take risks when finding my way. It’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Read more>>

Steven Stapleton Jr

The best thing my parents did for me was to be consistent. My mother and father were both in the armed forces. Growing up, I remember going to military bases in the Midwest and other locations, riding tanks with my brother, and seeing barracks, training sessions, or photos. They applied that same level of discipline and consistency in raising me. Just like in the Army and Marines, my mother and father showed me how important it was to show up, no matter what I set my hands to — be it school, work, or a creative project. When they committed their lives to the Lord when I was about 3, they applied the same principles to our lives. They didn’t always get things perfect (as no one ever does), but they always showed me how to move forward despite any challenge that might come upon me. That same level of perseverance is what I’ve applied to my music career and my parallel endeavors in fashion and art. Read more>>

Jay Janicki

I love this question and I love my parents so incredibly much. I feel lucky that I get to say that. It’s so funny, when we’re teenagers, we think they do everything wrong. As I write this at 30, I genuinely feel like they did so much that wasn’t only “right”, but CRUCIAL! The greatest lesson my parents ever taught me was this: feelings aren’t right or wrong, they just *are*. I also remember hearing “beat to your own drum” so frequently when I was a kid, and I sure did. These were two very important lessons I needed every single time I felt like I couldn’t get up again. Read more>>

Kyle Reinhart

My parents were great at teaching me to always do a good job no matter what the job was. Both of my parents are self-employed so they really instilled in me that the quality of effort I put into something equals the quality of return. This type of mindset really helped lay the ground work for my profession being that I am also self-employed and a lot of my work comes from the quality of my previous works. My parents are hardworking but also know how to have fun and take time for yourself and for family. I used to travel a lot with my family going on long roadtrips across the country and seeing lots of new places. They are loving and extremely supportive of me and my goals, I love them dearly. Read more>>

Teri Quinn

The year Jurassic Park came out is the year I became a musician and amateur paleontologist. I was in kindergarten in 1994. The first thing my parents did right was not shelter us from what was on TV. For Christmas that year, my parents bought me a playskool keyboard and The Land Before Time on VHS. They also happened to buy themselves Jurassic Park. It was the year of dinosaurs. That Christmas night, my parents casually put Jurassic Park on the TV and I sat watching in awe while also plunking on my keyboard. I heard the theme and immediately plunked it out by ear. My mom was in awe and immediately fostered my newfound gift in music. Read more>>

Camron Gonzalez

From my earliest childhood memories to adult hood my mother has always been my superhero. Growing up we had our share of struggles but one thing we were never was without. My mother worked so hard to provide for my brothers and I, I remember thinking to myself, “how does she do it!”. My mother not only taught me but displayed the lessons in life she was to teach me in her own life every day. Being compassionate and kind to all I encounter, praise God in all occasions, forgive as quickly as I got upset, hug often, and value my relationships with my brothers and sister. Anything I wanted to get involved in whether it was sports, art, or band, my mother always made it possible for me to turn my dreams into reality. When I started my career as a musician full time my mother had my back, she was my second pair of ears for every song I showed her, she was the loudest cheering for me at my football games, band recitals, concerts, and she always made time to listen. Even when I would be so hard on myself no matter the situation my mom was there. As I’ve grown on this journey of mine my family to has grown, I understand people I love had to sacrifice some of their own wants and needs in order for me to be where I am at. It is because of my mother’s unfailing love and my family’s love and support for not just me but each other and our faith in the Lord that has gotten us where we are today. Read more>>

Love Feels Best

My parents made two decision I have always felt greatly impacted my life advantageously. Relocating to Southern California enabled me to place myself in situations that would enable me to meet people from all over the world. Interesting people from far away lands often have insightful ideas and experiences I may have never learned about if I had grown up in a place with less diversity or more xenophobia. Being here has granted me access to multiple slices of paradise. I can visit a waterfall and just listen to it and the creatures it helps to sustain. Everyone loves walks along the beach and the way watching the ocean can calm even the most stressed nerves. I grew up in an area that was also a great place to learn about native Americans and their massive contributions to our sustenance. It was also an area with lots of interesting plants and animals to learn about. Being raised in the Conejo Valley likely contributed to my lifelong passion for learning about plants, animals and foreign cultures. Bunny Valley! Read more>>

Laura Alessio

My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me which helped remind me to persist during times of struggle. They supported me during challenges and encouraged me to keep going and never give up. When I didn’t pass my board exam the first time they still believed in me. When I got fired from a job without being provided any reason they reminded me sometimes these things happen and to just keep going. They have provided unconditional love and support throughout my lifelong journey. Read more>>

Tyrell Furtado

My mom did everything right! From the home cooked meals to raising me on her own to be the adult I am today. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be the Chef I am today. I always loved watching he cook in the kitchen and experiment with ingredients, it was always so fascinating to me. Read more>>

Alana Parker

My parents divorced when I was 8, which left me and my mother homeless for three years until we could get back on our feet. My father was never abusive but after he was released from prison he had some anger issues that he needed to work through. Through all the bad that I witnessed and went through in my life, both of my parents did a great job at teaching me to never let anything stop me because hard times never last forever. That lesson is what pushes me to keep going through whatever bad situations I have encountered both business and personal because if I would have given up, I would have never been able to see how strong I am, how far I can go in life, and the impact my story could have on social change. Read more>>

Isaac Parra-azocar

My parents taught me, that which you are good at can only take you so far but the character you build in the process of becoming the person you desire can open doors no talent or gift can. Read more>>