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.

WILLIAM STORM

I think my parents were very effective and making me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to, and that if I worked incredibly hard and just focused on my goals anything was possible. I think this is most evident in my mother who realized this in her 30s, after 3 kids, and decided to go back to school and become a greatly successful interior designer. I think watching her really make change in her life both financially and through her surroundings inspired me, and made me feel as though if I did the same I could reach those same heights. Read more>>

Arlene Olivos

Well, one thing I’m grateful for from my parents is that they always taught me discipline and to love school. That’s what I truly value, because I’m always learning, and because I never give up.I feel that the fact that they pressured me from a young age created perseverance in me, which has made me never stop looking for opportunities even though the doors have closed; I have never given up. Read more>>

Keya Trivedi

Growing up, I watched my dad build a career in the pharmaceutical industry with a mix of passion, discipline, and heart. He never pushed me toward his path, but he lived it so fully that I couldn’t help but be drawn to it. I remember sitting with him at a dinner table as a kid, and him reading newspaper, listening to him talk about how medicine could change lives. That sense of purpose stayed with me. Read more>>

Nicholas Pielaat

What my parents did right was give us the freedom to become who we were meant to be. They never put my sisters or me in a box, never pushed us toward a specific path, and never expected us to fit a mold. Instead, they encouraged us to explore — to follow what made us curious, what made us feel alive, and ultimately, what made us happy. That space to explore led each of us down different roads until we found our own passions. Read more>>

Stephanie Stancil

They gave us a foundation built on faith, focus, and family. Our home was full of love, structure, and purpose. They didn’t just talk about values — they lived them. Hard work, respect, and doing what’s right weren’t suggestions — they were standards. Read more>>

Andrea Luper

Each in their own unique ways, they were unapologetically themselves, no matter how eccentric or misunderstood. It took a long time (into adulthood) for me to truly recognize specifically how incredible my mother was. On paper, she is wildly interesting and accomplished, but as a kid she was just “mom”, and never thought twice about it. Read more>>

Petra Ji

My mom and my dad (step-father) taught me the importance of working hard, never giving up, and always striving for more. My mom was my biggest cheerleader and my toughest critic. She would never let me get away with a mistake, regardless of its size. I appreciated her approach because I always received honest feedback. Read more>>

Indya Caldwell

My parents did right on teaching my how to give everything that I do my all. No matter what it is don’t half do it and don’t show people you can’t be your best. I had some losses but it never stopped me from pursuing and believing in my dreams. Now I am reaping the benefits of it because my business is growing. Read more>>

Cameron Blaylock

My support system did an incredible job raising me. Life wasn’t always peaches and cream growing up, but my mother and grandmother made sure I stayed focused on the brighter side of things. Their strength and guidance helped shape my mindset and set me on a path to become someone greater than what my environment might have predicted. I owe a lot of who I am to them. Read more>>

Jennifer Gress

The first and most defining transformational experience in my life happened at the end of 6th grade and was because of the bold, brave and optimistic decision my parents made. It was 1987 in Pittsburgh, PA- my hometown. My father worked for HJ Heinz and was offered the opportunity to take a job at Heinz Australia. That meant moving our family of 5 to Melbourne, Australia for an uncertain period of time, It was a risk for him professionally, and personally to uproot our whole family and move halfway across the world. This was pre-internet and when you moved to Australia in 1987, even a phone call was a big deal! My parents always presented this move as an opportunity for each of us that our family was fortunate to have. Read more>>

Diane Marie

Growing up, I was blessed with two guiding lights: my mother and father. Together, they shaped the person I am today—not just with words, but with quiet strength, steady patience, and a love that never wavered.

My parents taught me the difference between right and wrong—not by scolding, but by showing. I watched them treat people with kindness, patience, and respect, and so I learned to do the same. They showed me that being proud of who you are isn’t arrogance—it’s quiet confidence. It’s taking care of yourself, loving who you see in the mirror, and standing tall even when life feels heavy. Read more>>

Don Slepian

My parents let me persue my interests even though they differed from theirs. Starting at age 7 my favorite treat was to be taken to the local dump by my parents where I would sort through mounds of garbage to find broken televisions, radios, and anything electronic. I would load a few broken treasures into the back of the station wagon and then take them one by one to a room I had in the basement of our house. My father let me use his workbench. I would take apart the televisions and sort the parts into bins. Then I would make my own things out of the parts. Read more>>

Tina Dyba

It wasn’t until the last decade of my life that I truly realized the foundation my parents had built for me—and just how deeply it influenced my life and career.

I’m the oldest of five children, raised in the countryside of Montana. My parents were somewhat strict, and our upbringing reflected strong values and discipline. We attended private schools, had limited television time, and even our music choices were guided. Our meals were wholesome—sugar-free, with fresh vegetables from our garden, dairy from a local farmer, and meat from the wild game my father hunted. Read more>>

Wanda Ebright

My parents did so many things right, even though I wouldn’t realize it for decades! If I could sum it all up, I’d say they taught me that I am multiples. I am, and can be defined as, so many different things that no matter where I am struggling, I am successful somewhere. If I am failing in one area, I still own my self-confidence and respect in some other area. I am a dancer, an athlete, a scholar, an artist, a Lutheran, a woman, a person of color, a teacher, an author, a mentor, a comedian. Read more>>

Julia Vanderelzen

They taught me to be kind and accepting of everyone, including myself. This has impacted the way I move through the world, the way I so deeply care about others. My parents instilling this in me at such a young age I believe turned me into somewhat of an activist, especially those who don’t have the privilege that I do to advocate and fight for themselves. I’m thankful I was raised this way and that in my own life I have been able to take inclusivity and advocacy steps further than they had before me. Read more>>

Matt Dengler

I’ve heard that some people believe we choose our parents before we are born as some sort of karmic thing. I mean, I have no idea if that is true. But if it is, then I must have known I was supposed to be an artist in this lifetime, based on the parents I chose. Read more>>

Kayla Mitchell

One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was a strong foundation built on work ethic, kindness, and dedication. From an early age, they taught me that while you can’t always control your circumstances, you can control your attitude and the effort you bring to the table. That mindset has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. Read more>>

John Truitt

My parents are my friend and bestfriend all in one. We argue, we fight, but we love one another unconditionally and that’s something that I know!
I would say the first thing that they did right was create me. Both of my parents have always been instrumental in my life. Half of the things I have learned in life, has been from my parents. I learn key lessons from the both of them and they both are great in their own aspects. My mother is loving and forgiving. The world could be taking a toll on my mom’s life, but the way that she holds everything together is remarkable. Read more>>

Larry Crockett

Being the youngest of three my siblings weren’t all that thrilled to have me around. So for my own safety and protection my mom kept me in the kitchen with her. So I was learning to wash. clean, cook, and sew to be self sufficient. In the meantime I watched my dad doctor up the only sauce that was available. he and the other dads on the block each had heir own secret recipe. Unfortunately my father passed when I was 17 years old, as a rite of passage I took over the grill and utilized the skills I learned from both to begin my saucy journey. Read more>>

Debra Anthony

My parents were hardworking. They both came to Saint Louis from Brownsville, Tennessee in the 1940s. My parents had three mini stores. They helped the community by giving jobs to the youth, feeding the homeless and being a mother and father figure to the children in the community. They taught me independence, morals and values by going to church, which added to what they taught me. My dad passed away when I was eighteen years old, due to lack of Self-care. My mom helped me tremendously with my three children, during my ages from 20-50. I really love my parents, they were great role models. This is why I created Parenting A Helping Hand Self-care Program, to help parents with Self-care, so they can be effective parents to their children. Read more>>

Connor Gagne

One thing my parents did right, especially knowing so many other artists who were told they couldn’t be artists, is making sure I was on the path that would make me happy, not just make me money. My mother is a full-time musician, and my father spends his free time building countless amenities and infrastructure on his farm in Tennessee. He is also musical, though he prefers a quieter life on his farm. I am incredibly fortunate to have two artistic parents who believe I can do what makes me happy, and they are both a massive reason why I was able to graduate with my MFA and launch myself into the art world. Read more>>