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.

Bobbi Johnson

I was raised by a Baptist pastor and reverend so I was required to spend most of my time at church. At anytime growing up in my childhood home or in the car or at the grocery store or generally anywhere she was, my mom could be heard calling God by His full name at the top of her lungs. Inside, outside, sun, rain, sleet, hail, in a closet eyes closed, on the highway eyes open, before every major life event (her life, my life, your life) my mom is going to pray and it’s going to be with fervor. What my father lacks in prayer he made up for in church service volume. We had more church services and programs a year than all the churches in our area combined. Read more>>

Dion Metzger, MD

I’m a proud product of immigrant parents. My father is Grenadian and my mother is Jamaican. I was born in Queens, NY in the year they arrived to the United States.To put it simply, my parents are hard-working and high aspiring. Those qualities were passed down to me. I remember as a kid, there was never a dream too big. I told my dad that I wanted to be the first woman in the NBA (clearly back before WNBA existed) and he would say “Ok, Dee. Time to start practicing”. I firmly remember whatever dream I presented, was met with a response of a way to navigate me towards fulfilling it. They raised me with a focus not just on education but also on travel, sports and hobbies. I believe learning that balance from a young age is a huge contributor to my current success. Read more>>

Betania Rodriguez

My parents did not have many opportunities growing up. Their ultimate goal was to give my siblings and I the opportunities that they weren’t able to have. Growing up, my parents allowed me to try anything and everything I desired whether that was piano, harp, soccer, gymnastics, cooking lessons, etc. they never said no. I was extremely blessed to have parents who could provide for my siblings and because I understand that may not be the case for everyone, and for that, I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate. My mom never let me quit however, she was not a “pushy” mom nor was she a “stage” mom. However, she also understood that most children don’t quite know what they want and many times parents make decisions based off what the child wants, and once the child grows up, will ask their parents “why did you let me quit.” Read more>>

Micah Mindoro

Ever since I can remeber, my parents have always shown me and my brother unconditional love and support. Whether they supported us in trying different sports/music instruments or comforting us after making any mistake, big or small. The best example of them showing me unconditional love and support is when I came out to them. Without thinking twice, both gave me the biggest hug they could and said they loved me no matter what and so proud of me. There are no words to say how much that meant to me and positively impacted my life. After that day, I gained the confidence and believed I could do anything I set my mind to. Read more>>

Brooke Smith

My parents both taught me how to save and that hard work is never undervalued. Coming from two very loving parents that may drive me crazy sometimes, haha love you Mom and Dad! They created a great foundation for my sister and myself to carry on a legacy for what we are both passionate about. Small business is where it all started in Victoria, TX. My Pozzi side of the family migrated from Italy and developed a limestone mining company, my grandfather then started up a few oil and gas companies that were then acquired by my Dad and his brothers. My Mom Denise was the glue that held everything together and helped my dad with many business duties. My parents had me doing an admin role at a young age, which was awesome to put on a resume after college! Read more>>

Dave Kimbrell

My fifth grade teacher, told my Mother at a Teacher Parent meeting that I was an artist. She told her that the only way to get my attention was to hold up something with color. My mother then started art lessons at that moment and backed me throughout my life. Read more>>

Kiara Clark

My parents raised us with manners and kept us in church! Growing up, we heard “manners will take you a long way.” We also stayed in church, literally we were there pretty much every single day! Proverbs 22:6 says “train up a child in the way they should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As I think on that scripture my parents really did just that. Even though I went through my late teen and young adult years rebelling, as I got older and eventually starting my business, having manners and Christ at the center of every decision I make has impacted both my life and career. Read more>>

Dawn Henderson

My parents are awesome. My father died in 2014 from cancer, and I feel like he has continued to take care of his baby on the other side. I watched my mom have a really fun career. She worked really hard, pursued a few degrees and took care of everyone all of my life and she still does it! My dad grew up completely different than my mom and had to really hustle to get to where he was so the values they instilled into my siblings and I, and their views on life were a lot different, but we honestly got the best of both worlds. I grew up knowing how to be tough, but gentle at the same time. Read more>>

Maria Serritella Anton

I am the oldest of 3 siblings (me + my 2 brothers). My brothers’ and I have had the unrelenting support of my parents throughout our lives with regard to our artistic endeavors. This is invaluable to a curious child who then turns into a blossoming adolescent in the creative field. Without their consistent sacrifice in getting us to our magnet school programs, picking us up late from after school activities, drives to rehearsals, performances, gallery openings, financial sacrifice, etc., we would not have become the artists we are today. Each one of us is a true professional in our respected fields of study (dance, visual art, and photography). We have learned a discipline and reverence towards our professions and have earned respect from our peers. Read more>>

Trinette CollierGreene

My Parents were parents of 5 children and were full time entrepreneurs. My Mother was a Stay-At-Home Mom who taught us the basic skills of life such as cooking, clearning, maintaining the home, arts & crafts and so much more. Our Father taught us the basics of entrepreneurship and our family operated as a team. When were children, my parents helped us with our first lemonade stand and that was the beginning of creating businesses over time. My Parents were very instrumental in my career as an Educator and an Entrepreneur, which led to my current journey. Read more>>

Cortez Parrish

My parents taught me Entrepreneurship by becoming Successful Entrepreneurs. My Mother taught me how to Manifest and Invest. My Mother Guides me on my journey. My Mother Supports the Risk Taker in me. She has faith and believe in me. My mother is a force to be reckoned with. I am my mothers child. Like mother, Like Daughter. Read more>>

Natasha Estes

My parents did many things that positively impacted my life and career. As young children, we begin to observe and learn from those around us, especially the ones who raise us. I have always remembered and valued my parents’ work ethic. They taught me great responsibility, honesty, discipline, and integrity. I always had chores, which I received an allowance for as long as I completed everything. I believe that was one of the most impactful sets of responsibilities I had. Over time, I understood, appreciated, and valued everything my parents had given me and what they were trying to teach me indirectly and directly. Read more>>

E. L. Jones Jr.

I am blessed to come from a line of entrepreneurs. My great grandfather was very industrious and had many business ventures in Pensacola, FL. My grandfather owned a cleaning business that my father and the rest of the family helped with, when we moved back home. My father instilled in my a work ethic that still drives me to this day. The one thing I will never forget him telling me is, “Learn as much as you can, about everything you can, so you’ll never starve.” I have taken that to heart and I attribute my widespread knowledge of various processes to his teaching. Read more>>

cinderella de groot

What my parents did right is to stimulate me into managing finances. For example, saving money, work and earn my own money and make healthy choices as to what to do with it. I grew up in The Netherlands and we don’t operate on a credit score system, credit cards are not used, what you have in your checking account, is what you can spend, otherwise you save up for it. This today benefits me in not having any debt, I never dealt with debt collectors, always able to manifest income and live up to my needs or above, plus always have a great credit score :) Read more>>

Hillary Gadsby

When I was 15 years old my mother walked into my retail job while I was folding a Ralph Lauren sweater. She and I were supposed to have lunch but in she walks with this unfamiliar older gentleman. My parents were both very social people due to their jobs, mom a real estate broker and dad was a ski instructor and fly fishing guide in Sun Valley, Idaho. I had met many of their clients and friends but this gentleman was different. He had a powerful air about him. This man in question was none other than Steve Wynn, the Las Vegas Casino Mogul. He introduced himself and asked me how I liked the brand Ralph Lauren. Read more>>

John Mangiapane Jr.

My parents had me late in life and I am their only child. They basically dedicated themselves completely in raising me, always giving me their all and full attention. From all activities and attentive development, they really helped develop my creative mind. My Mom always encouraged me to dream big and never settle for less. These values and dedication have really helped me in applying myself into the projects that I am passionate about. Read more>>

Michelle Wilson

Growing up, my dad showed me what the power of hard work and dedication could do – especially if you put this behind something you are passionate about. This allowed me to quit a job and step out on faith back in 2011 to go after a career that I was passionate about but had no experience in (with the exception of being self-taught). When the journey got hard, I remembered the struggle my dad had to endure coming to the United States and building his now super successful company from scratch. I kept on going and eventually landed a career in the digital field and was able to build a couple of businesses on my own. Read more>>

Nilufer Saltuk

My parents are incredible and I’m truly fortunate. In fact, my friends often tell me how they want to spend more time with them or want to be like them when they’re older. They have a kind, gentle, yet powerful way about them. And… they’re “them”, not one or the other, but both. They’ve taught me so much – and much of it they may not even realize. From strength in the face of adversity or uncertainty to the sheer power of treating people with hospitality and consideration. They a great role models for any person. Read more>>

Audra May Crawford

I mean, I could write an entire book here, truly. My parents are both such strong inspirations to me. They worked really hard to give me such a full and balanced childhood. My absolute love for Florida, which influences so much of my art, is owed to the sunny Florida childhood I was blessed to grow up with. I’m talking Dad squeezing fresh orange juice from the fruit in the tree in our backyard on Saturday mornings, beach staycations in the summer with the buzzing neon lights on the strip, weekends biking the Pinellas trail, orange blossom perfume from a shop in the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. There’s so much more. They really fostered such a love for where I lived and that love is reflected in all of my art work. My mother is just magical. Read more>>

Jasmyn Reddicks

From an early age as far as I can remember, my mother and grandmother have also been very supportive of my sister and my dreams. Growing up our mother got us involved in everything and we rarely had a boring summer despite being from a rural small town. We were involved in church ministries, volunteering groups, clubs, and sports. Although we did not grow up with a silver spoon and come from a very shelter background our mother was always looking up things for us to do or encouraging up to be a part of our community in some way. She always expressed that we needed to see the world despite where we came from and if we work hard we can do anything we put our mind to. Read more>>

Brooke Hutto

My parents Are and have always been my #1 supporters. All my life they have supported me by pushing me to excel in everything I do. Every summer my dad would have me help him clean and paint apartments. He would pay me every Friday and taught me how to use my money. He taught me to be proud of my work and how to have a good work ethic. My parents have always told me how proud they are of me and how much they love me. But, my parents have always been honest with me about my work and decisions. I know I can always count on them. They are the reason behind my success. Read more>>

Danika Pramik-Holdaway

I certainly didn’t come from an artistic family. My father worked for a news station, and my mother is a medical writer. However, they taught me from an early age that if I found something I truly loved, I should pursue it. They helped me understand and believe that a career in the performing arts was possible. Now that I have danced professionally and taught for numerous years, I am sad to say that I have met plenty of people who don’t consider ballet as a viable career. They don’t even consider it. I wish and hope that for any young student who falls in love with ballet as I did, there is someone in their life telling them that a career can be focused around what you are truly passionate about, as my parents did for me. Read more>>

Andrea Williams

Imagine growing up in a rural environment with barely any diversity and trying to navigate your place in the world as a child. I grew up in a small town where my ideas and thoughts surpassed the minds of the individuals that I came in contact with, it was not that they did not have the intelligence to think big it was that the surroundings were extraordinarily stagnant that they couldn’t fathom doing things any other way. The only way of escaping the small town feel and freeing my wildest dreams was my parent’s ability to let me be myself, that’s the one aspect that they did right that greatly impacted my life and career. Read more>>

Tina Ellis

I was premature, born 4 months early only weighing 1 pound and 2 ounces. My parents are by far not perfect, however they’re love sustained me in ways most children never got to experience. Now that I am an adult with a child of my own, I OVERstand the importance of unconditional love. From my point of view, my parents did everything right. They loved me emotionally and spiritually, guided me through life with caution and grace, and molded me into a well-rounded, kind-hearted individual. Read more>>

Brandon Aharan Asher Mashack

I was raised very blessed in my household in Austell, Georgia by two loving parents from New York; on top of that I had my grandparents on m dad’s side living with us for many years. I was raised in a “Godly” household, especially being that my dad, Baron Mashack was a minister (now pastor of New Destiny in Fort Lauderdale), and my mom, Denise Mashack being a very supportive wife. Even though I was extremely rebellious, they raised me in the way of the Hebrew Scrolls (Bible). I was constantly fighting in school, having to go to different ones from time to time. Read more>>

Nate Paxton

My parents are absolute legends and super hero’s in my eyes. Throughout my upbringing my family struggled with poverty and homelessness for quite sometime, all the way until I was in college until I earned a full scholarship at Georgia State University. Throughout my life no matter what our circumstances were they always kept my two younger brothers and I on the right path. We all had straight A’s throughout school and are all athletes. Two of us have graduated college and are playing professionally while the youngest is in college and is graduating in December. Read more>>

Travis Postany

One of the most important things my dad taught me was to be a problem solver. He owned a machine shop and I remember working there and he gave me a job to take something apart. I came to him 10 minutes later telling him I can’t do it. He said, “you have too.” I went back, tried again, and came back later to tell him I can’t do it. He then explained, they brought this to us because we are the only ones that can do this, there is nobody else, it has to be done. So I went back I didn’t leave until I figured out a way. Read more>>

Susie St John

This goes out to all the parents of challenging kids. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Stay the path. Stay firm. Stay loving. Itchy dresses. Tight underwear. Dyslexic. Lost in the clouds. Asthmatic. Uncoordinated. Shy. Uber sensitive. That was me as a kid. Thinking of better ways to do things. Reading parenting books. Being positive Telling me all the good stuff I was her biggest fan. Supporting me. Always. That was my mom as a kid. My mom Read more>>

Sandy Iro

My parents are immigrants from Nigeria (West Africa), and at an early age they ingrained the significance of hard work while doing my best. My mom worked early hours as a home-health nurse. She would wake me up as early as 4am to join her as we cared for her patients in their homes. I witnessed so many acts of service in that time: patience, humility and compassion. She taught me what it means to be kind and gentle to others; even when the same was not returned. Dad was a firm believer that quitting is not an option! He pursued his education by obtaining his undergraduate and Master’s degree in less than five years graduating Summa Cum Ladue. Both of them pursued careers that involved high-level customer service and that’s where my love of helping others comes from. Read more>>

Brittany Martin

At a young age I had traveled the world, been exposed to people from different cultures, nationalities, ages, and social classes. I knew that there was more to the world then the streets that I resided or the many communities we lived. I was immersed in music, reading, poetry, languages, activities, travel and a variety of cultures. I owe that experience and perspective to my parents. Read more>>

Aleksandra Drecun

My parents did countless things correctly. One was providing unconditional love. I know that I was loved deeply and could always rely on them for having my best interest at heart. They always put me first growing up and I know that I was deeply loved and cared for. They did the best they could to provide me with opportunities that would allow me to develop into my best version of myself. They supported my career, interests and continue to support my family and I. Read more>>

renda Ciardiello

My parents were role models in many ways but foremost, they modeled a willingness to work hard and take risks to achieve their goals. They chose to immigrate to the United States, leaving lives behind to pursue their dreams and the best life possible for our family. Because of that choice, I’ve led a life full of opportunity and have always worked to be honest and hardworking as well. My parents also taught me the value of believing in myself and taking pride in who I am – that manifested in pride for my Mexican culture, but also in pride of my bicultural upbringing when I chose to live in other countries as an adult. Read more>>