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.

Ize Ryan

My love for music stems from the music my father would introduce me to. As a kid I would watch the KISS Alive DVDs, listen to Ozzy Osbourne’s LIVE & LOUD; a lot of Queen, live Dave Matthews would blast through the house. Slipknot’s 9.0 Live was one of my favorite live albums as a child, too. From Iron Maiden to Mötley Crüe & Alice In Chains, a lot of my passion and inspiration is accredited to him; and I believe it shows in our music, especially with what the other 4 guys in the band bring to the table. Read more>>

Dyani Eaton

To say my parents did something right is an embellishment. I didn’t grow up with the super supportive, peerlessly present parents. I had a step dad and my mom. They weren’t my champions in anything I did and “tough love” was an understatement, it was a lot of me being the shadow or after thought that was more of a nuisance. Read more>>

Helen Vonderheide

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois by my two parents and two sisters. I have only ever known my mother as an inviting presence of unconditional love. She is endless in her giving and a wellspring of compassion and understanding. She always sees the wonderful qualities in humanity despite what the circumstances might suggest. She is an artist, a healer, a creative, a grandmother, and a teacher. Her love heals me and she always radiates warmth and joy. Read more>>

Chloe O’Brien

My parents were always very encouraging and supportive of my creative ideas as a child. They let me paint on my clothes, they encouraged me to sing, and they watched me perform “gigs” on the coffee table-turned-stage. I never felt as if I wouldn’t be supported if I chose a creative path, which has meant so much to me over the years. Read more>>

Morgan Fray

Since the moment I entered this world, my parents have showered me with boundless support and guidance, surpassing every expectation. They embody the essence of encouragement in my life, constantly reinforcing the belief that I possess the power to conquer any endeavor I set my mind upon. Their unwavering faith in my potential has never known boundaries or limitations, allowing me to soar beyond the realms of possibility. Read more>>

Madison Pantuso

Both sides of my family are very creative, although many of my aunts and uncles would deny it. My dad went to college hoping to pursue a photography career, but decided against it after worries about being able to provide for a future family. Not only has he worked hard to provide for us, but his creativity is both versatile and diverse. Read more>>

MAURICE WILLIAMS

My parents taught me how to be respectful even when I didn’t agree with someone. My father in particular is the smartest man that I know. Why? Is it because he has several degrees or is he an accomplished celebrity? No, he’s none of these. My father taught my five brothers and I morals, integrity, and that you work for what you want. Seeing the difficulties that my grandmother was going through financially he made the decision no child should have to make and he dropped out of school while in the 7th grade to become the man of the house because his father was not present to help support his twin sister and younger brother. Read more>>

Alayah Simone

Unlike most parents, mine encouraged a career in the arts. Where I come from, a lot of parents push their children to pursue careers that are seen as traditionally lucrative in an effort to get away from the environment. My parents actually encouraged me to pursue music as well as anything else I wanted to do in life. They really wanted me to chase my dreams and they put me in environments where my talents could thrive. I was afforded a lot of opportunities because of the programs I was involved in at a young age. I dont know where I would’ve started if my parents hadn’t nurtured my desire for music in that way. Read more>>

Anastasia Zadeik

Leading by example, my parents helped my siblings and I to understand that we could make a meaningful contribution to our family and our community, regardless of our age. Read more>>

Dylan Smith

My parents did everything right. First and foremost, though, they taught me about Jesus. For me, everything comes back to Him, including my work. With all of my projects, I try my best to bring Him glory, not myself. After all, He’s the one that gave me these talents in the first place. Having said all of that, my parents did everything they needed to do. Read more>>

Garrett Cline

Everyone needs people who believe in them, and it’s best if the first two people are your parents. Growing up in a home where music was important was crucial to my formation as I stepped into the opportunities that God has provided for me. Whenever my brother or I had the idea that we wanted to pursue music, there was never a negative word about it. My parents always just affirmed our dreams. Read more>>

Jarard Johnson

My parents raised me with the the ideology that humility makes you coachable. And being coachable is necessary for success. So, I have always tried to remain humble so that I could continue to absorb lessons in order to enhance my abilities. Read more>>

Brittney Laster

Well, I lost my Biological mother when I was 3 years old and my biological father signed his rights over at birth so I never met him. Due to this I was raised by my maternal grandparents and my God Mother who I technically call my mother. I had a rough childhood. Dealt with more than most children ever dealt with. Nevertheless because of my 3 wonderful guardians I turned out pretty okay LOL. Read more>>

Danny Casale

My parents always recognized that creating was important to me. From a young age, it was clear that I loved to doodle, build, film, edit, and imagine. They saw that, they supported it. I know that’s not the case with many others during their childhood. So for that, I’m very fortunate. Read more>>

Ian Rumley

My family tree is a little confusing when I try to explain it to people the first time but it’s really pretty simple. The first thing my parents did right was being completely unselfish to make sure I had the best life possible. My mother was very young when I was born. My biological father had a lot of chips stacked against him and wasn’t a part of my life. My grandparents adopted me after they had already raised five kids of their own. Read more>>

Mindy Hungerford

My Mother taught me to always try my hardest no matter what you’re doing. She used to say “I don’t care if you become a ditch digger…but be the best damn ditch digger anyone has ever seen.” And that’s how I run my businesses today. Be the best. Try your best. Give your best. Everyday. All. Day. Read more>>

Bret Cooley-Jones

My parents always raised us to do what makes us happy. I am so thankful that no matter the path my siblings and I took they were always so supportive of our decisions. I think for me personally I took the untraditional path into my career, thru life struggles, many mistakes (and my parents still were in my corner) but eventually settled into my career then was able to launch my small business. My dream is to one day make my small business not just my side gig my main source of income. Because now that I am doing something that makes me happy it does not feel like work. Read more>>

Sonia Grace

Teach us to hold on on to our Kenyan culture. Moving to a new, completely different world can be exciting but it is also easy to get swallowed up and forget one’s culture. Our parents only spoke to us in our native language, Gikuyu. The always told us stories about our history, made sure we kept in touch with our friends and relatives back home, and bought us books and movies from our country. Read more>>

RM Connor

When I was sixteen years old, I was pulled from my room by a loud noise coming from the living room Christmas Eve. I tiptoed down the stairs, and if I hadn’t known better, I would have thought it was Santa dropping off presents. Well, it wasn’t Santa per se. My mother was trying to place a huge electric typewriter under the tree and struggling to do so. We laughed about it, but it was just one instance in my life where my parents tried to encourage my creativity. Read more>>

Rachel Silva

My parents did a lot of things right, and the older I get the more and more I realize that and my respect for them grows. They moved me, my sister, and 4 cats across the world from rural Tennessee to Zürich, Switzerland when I was 9 and my sister was 5. This was the 90’s, there were no smart phones or google translate apps. My husband and I recently went back to Zürich and we realized we were the same age as my parents when they moved there. Read more>>

Heather Mesa

I was born and raised in southwest Florida. I was the youngest of 3 children. We grew up living a “normal” life for the area. I lived in the same house the first 14 years of my life. My parents encouraged us to explore any interest we had. This included baton twirling, tennis, golf, basketball and many avenues of art. They always supported us and were our biggest cheerleaders. Read more>>

Jennifer Kassi

My parents did many things right. I’d say the biggest thing I learned from them is to never give up and work for what you truly want. They also taught me to always be kind to people which had helped me go so far in my career. I’ve gotten many opportunities simply because of this. Another thing is to keep my reputation clean as much as possible and not to get peer pressured or influenced by people so easily. Read more>>

David Hampton

My parents both had a strong work ethic and demonstrated great resilience in their lives. They taught us to work hard at what we wanted and that anything worth having was worth working hard to accomplish. I learned a great deal from their approach to how they valued their reputations as committed, hardworking people in many facets of their lives. Read more>>

Dr. Marcelline Girlie

As a child, I distinctly remember times when my parents opened up our home to people migrating to the United States and/or just was in need during their time of transition. They would care for them and at times their family without asking for anything in return. I would watch them give away cars and money just to ensure others had a good start or felt supported. It was then that my parents showed me the true value of compassion and empathy. Read more>>

Jagriti Khirwar

I want to begin by saying that I am incredibly proud of my parents! They have always been supportive of my siblings and I and our career goals without putting any kind of pressure on us. There is a big stereotype about Indian parents being too pushy when it comes to their kids’ education and it is true in many cases but we have been very fortunate to have parents who have encouraged our dreams without any conditions and done everything in their power to help us realise them. Read more>>

Brandolyn Hellams

From a very young age my parents taught us to treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. As I got older they made sure that we stayed true to that standard. Another thing I’ll always keep near that they taught is to ALWAYS look your best! Dress for the job you want, no matter what position you’re currently in. Read more>>

Mary Martin

My parents were great at nurturing the creative tendencies in me and my siblings. They made sure we always had plenty of paper, paints, crayons, fabric, yarn and other supplies on hand so we could get creative whenever inspiration struck. I still have some of the creative toys they gave us like Spirograph and Twirl-O-Paint. Read more>>

Tan Sanders

My mom put me in piano lessons when I was in the second grade. Some time I joke with her and tell her that is the reason I end up how I did. But jokes aside that was the first experience with music I had and it helped teach the foundation I still use today. Also my dad instilled in me from a young age a serious work ethic and perserverance. Read more>>

Cheriss May

My parents encouraged and supported a childhood curiosity with the arts. I was the little girl who liked to color, draw, loved music and was enamored with the camera. I loved taking pictures, as the unofficial – official family photographer. I would show up at family events with my little point and shoot camera taking pictures, posing family for photos. My parents would take me to drop the film off and pick it up, I would show up at the next family event, spread out the photos for my family to check them out. Read more>>

Leslie Langie

The one thing my parents did right, besides choose to have me, is to teach my sister & I that we are responsible for our own happiness. For me, being responsible for my own happiness has led me to try new things, take risks, and tend to the garden of my soul; for in the end if I don’t prioritize my happiness I should not expect anyone else to. Read more>>

Daven Asafo-Agyei

My mother was an amazing, powerful, and generous woman who, before and after her passing, has remained my greatest inspiration. At a very young age, my parents separated, and I was left to be raised solely by my mother, who had a tough life of her own. When I was 13 years old, she became sick, and I had to become her sole caretaker and provider. Read more>>

Sa’id Salaam

My love of literature stems from the bedtime stories my mother would read to me as a child. She would really get into character as she read. Different voices and inflections. I remember being amazed that all of those exciting adventures where in those words and pages. Read more>>

Jennifer Allyn

What did your parents do right? They wouldn’t agree, but my parents did everything right. Did they yell? Yes. Did I get spanked when I was a brat or smacked across the mouth when I backtalked? Yes. Did they threaten and take away and ground me? Yes, yes, and yes. Did I deserve all of it? Absolutely YES! My parents were tough, and strict, and expected a lot, but in return, we are all well-adjusted, successful, happy, and so incredibly supported and loved. Read more>>

Casey & Sloane Simmons

Our parents gave us the greatest gift, the belief and skills that we could do anything, create anything, and be our own bosses in any industry we wanted. Our parents were small business owners. Our father’s parents were farmers, which is its own small business. And, they had additional small businesses on the side. A mowing business, and a handmade arts business. Our mother’s family were from farms and small businesses too. We were born with small business in our blood. Read more>>

Splash Money Wild The Most Expensive””

They combined super powers and made a rockstar. I love them and I am very thankful they collaborated to make me Read more>>

Anna Piskoulian

My folks moved to the states in the late 70’s from Armenia with a hungry mindset and an insane work ethic to match. Knowing that their college degrees were void in America, they knew that they were going to have to work 10x harder than their peers. My folks quickly picked up a trade that was proven to be lucrative if they were willing to put in the work. Read more>>

Rebecca Pearl

Growing up in a first-generation Haitian-American household with a single mother, being an artist definitely seemed a risky endeavor for my family. Time has proven that it was definitely not only the right choice but a very prosperous one at that. During my formative years, my family instilled in me a sense of independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence. Read more>>

Anna Kline

Thank you so much for having me! Oh gosh, my parents did so many things right, but what impacted me most is how they instilled my hunger for growth. I remember in elementary school, my step dad encouraged me to start taking piano lessons. He noticed how much I loved music and could hold a tune along with pretty much any song. Read more>>