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.

Jeffrey Paul Bobrick

My parents always loved me. No matter what. Even when I was difficult, even when life was hard, even when they didn’t understand me—or when I brought trouble to their doorstep—they loved me.

As a kid, I was deeply unhappy in school. Because of that, I often acted out in class. I was very disruptive—and proud of it. My parents were constantly getting calls from teachers or being summoned to the school to deal with whatever chaos I’d caused that week. Seventh grade was the worst of it. Getting thrown out of class felt as easy—and as inevitable—as breathing. Read More>>

Scott Tejerian

The simple answer is—they loved me. I feel incredibly fortunate because, throughout my life, I’ve rarely doubted my parents’ love. I’ve always been intense—especially as a kid. I didn’t push boundaries to be rebellious; I just naturally diverted from the norm and forged my own path. That can be tough for any parent, but mine did their best to support me, even when they didn’t always understand me. Read More>> 

DJ Teo

My parents did an amazing job of making sure my siblings and I were thankful for the situation we grew up in. To have both parents, grow up in a good environment, and for the most part having fortunate upbringings. My parents growing up had it a little different and quite literally could be the opposite. My father grew up in Vallejo, CA while my mother grew up in San Francisco, CA. Having direct roots to those areas as a kid played a huge part in my early development with my mentality toward life. Read More>>

Paul

When I was three years-old, my mother and father opened a pizza shop. Over the next decade they would own two more pizza shops, an Italian restaurant, and a bar. At each, I was right there with them, camped out in the supply room or under the pizza oven, drawing, writing, and reading while they worked. Growing up in that environment taught me more about how to be a practicing artist than any of what I learned in art school. Read More>> 

Aleen Khachatourian

My parents raised me with both roots and wings. They encouraged my independence, celebrated my individuality, and made my growth a priority. At the same time, they grounded me in Armenian culture and community—enrolling me in Armenian school, scouts, and dance. I was surrounded by tradition, movement, language, and meaning. Read More>>

Eliana Glass

I am the daughter of two incredible entrepreneurs whose example has profoundly shaped my approach to business and leadership.

My father worked for over twenty years at a company where he began in an entry-level role. Driven by a desire to grow, he steadily advanced through the ranks by refining his sales skills and committing himself to continuous improvement. Before retiring, he launched his own business. I vividly remember his strong work ethic. Read More>> 

Toni Twitty

My parents did a lot of things right, but the biggest gift they gave me was a strong work ethic and the freedom to carve my own path even when that path didn’t always make sense to them at the time. Read More>>

Christina Morales

My father, the child of Mexican immigrants, and my mother, the grandchild of Mexican immigrants, faced numerous struggles growing up—too many to detail here. Together, they built a successful commercial painting company in Southern California, driven by my father’s relentless work ethic and his unwavering commitment to integrity. Read More>>

Massimo

My parents invested in me in a very early age by taking a pension along to help me buy my first set of equipment.

When my sister was born, the doctor told my parents that she only had three months to live. My parents did not accept that and traveled the world to keep her alive for 23 years. They taught me that if you put your mind to something the sky is the limit. Read More>>