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.

Gemma Parmar

They always showed up. Whether it was messy or ‘wrong’ by my definition, they are always there. I attribute my value of loyalty to my parents. It’s a beautiful thing to see two people go through some of the hardest things in life and always have each other’s backs. They also have a fascinating friend group that shares the same love of loyalty & showing up. Read more>>

Maggie Paridon

I am so fortunate that I have always had the most supportive parents. Growing up they always told me “We don’t care what career path you take, as long as you always give it 100%.” I have always taken that to heart and even when I’ve had moments where I wanted to give up or choose a different path, I’ve always put my all into trying to make things better for myself and my career, and it always works out. Read more>>

Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW, RYT

Both of my parents were immigrants from the Dominican Republic who moved to the US in the 1970s because they wanted a better life for their first two children. They eventually had three other children and they taught the five of us how to serve our communities. The also taught us to have love and respect for everyone regardless of their titles. My mother was a homemaker and also ran a small business selling clothes and blankets and comforters from our home. Read more>>

Becky McDermott

After my mom’s sudden death due to a massive heart attack when I was 10 years old, my dad took my sister and me to peer-based grief support groups. Before she died, my mom taught me how important and impactful our words can be. Read more>>

Kyle Fokken

My parents raised me with a strong work ethic encouraged me to make artwork with whatever I had. Since we had little money and no resources in my tiny rural home town (art classes were the first to be cut in high school) I had to be creative to look beyond convention art materials in order to entertain myself. My mother would often draw with me and would leave little drawings of how to make human facial features in my sketchbook. Read more>>

Lissandra Arias

When I think about my success I always picture my parents. This is due to the support that they have provided me with since the min I decided to start my business. At a very young age my mom and I would purchase pallets of random items to sell on offerup and Facebook market. After seeing the money we would make, I decided to use my weekly funds that my father would give me to buy my own. Read more>>

Mikayla Prioleau

My mom is my rock. She always pushed me to my maximum potential and made it clear that she has my best interest. She allowed me to experience different things in my childhood that would help me understand the ways of this world at a young age. She taught me the importance of loving God and staying true to my faith. Read more>>

Iya Mystique Hargrove

Coming from a balance of being raised by a Caribbean American woman who was born and raised in Harlem, NY and a Black Indigenous, southern Black man gave me the blessing of being raised with “tough skin” but learning how to apply sweetness to my power. My parents made room to allow me to freely express who I am in other ways that were very different from other Black kids growing up (i.e. wearing tie-dye clothes, wild hair, eclectic outfits, heavy interest in nature and animals, etc). Read more>>

Sue Jergens

My parents instilled in me a deep appreciation for the values of honoring nature and our Eastern European heritage. As children, my sister and I, would play in the woods, make floral crowns, hike, and forage berries. We learned to enjoy the little things and moments in life. Read more>>

Jacob Lanier

I was blessed with the most supportive parents in the world when it came to pursuing my dreams. From a young age, when I knew I wanted to study the weather in some capacity, they nurtured that curiosity instead of squashing it. I can’t count the times that adults have told me “I always wanted to study the weather growing up.” Read more>>

Jessa Purdue

Growing up, I played a lot of sports throughout the year (mostly softball and cheerleading), along with the sports I was a high school student who was on the honor roll. My parents wanted me to be a kid and enjoy school and sports while I had the opportunities, you are only in high school once. Read more>>

Tim Graber

When it comes to my parents, I was extremely lucky to have wonderful parents that allowed me to express my creative freedom while guiding me in the techniques and methods to improve my skills. Both of my parents had amazing skills and pure talent of their own. By them guiding me, letting me learn through mistakes and proving resources to further my skillset I was very fortunate to be impacted in a positive way setting a solid foundation that I use both in my career and life today. Read more>>

Teondra Lucy” Robinson”

I think I will always talk about my granny. She is the reason why I am ME! What her and my mother got right? My grandmother raised me to be helpful and a lover of people and all things. Over the years my sensitives just grew. I’m sensitive all around and early on I thought that was a bad thing, but what I know now is that that’s what makes me a great massage therapist. Read more>>

Jean Basiletti

I come from a long line of creative family members. On my dad’s side, his parents are animators and painters, and on my mom’s are performers. My mom is a filmmaker and my dad is a musician. So it is no surprise I ended up the way I am! Despite this, I found myself endlessly grateful for how they raised me and encouraged my creative efforts, especially comparing myself to other people my age who were always told that being an artist won’t get them anywhere. Read more>>

Broadway B

They instilled in me the ideas that I am capable of doing whatever it is I want to do in life and that you don’t know how something will work out unless you try it. When I was a sophomore in high school, I wanted to apply for this special school called the North Carolina School of Science and Math. You go there your junior and senior year of high school, and it’s really prestigious. You have to take the SAT to get in and there’s an application and interview process. I was afraid of not getting in and wasn’t going to apply. Read more>>

Amber Jordan

I come from a single parent household. My mother did her best to raise 3 kids to the best of her ability. The one thing my mother did right was have faith in me, and give me room to express myself authentically. My mom also made it her mission to insure me that I was beautiful, and I could do ANYTHING. Read more>>

Deidra Terrell

I believe my parents brought balance. My mother (Ora)was spiritual and set rules and stood on them. My dad (Donald) was fun but he didn’t allow us to go against our mothers teachings. This type of parenting created a healthy balance and allows me to navigate the world of dance and mentorship with a sound mind and a loving heart. I can remember like yesterday watching them interact and parent me and my two sisters. Read more>>

Dr. Venessa Walker

When reflecting on what my parents, Dr. Bishop Owen Walker and Mrs. Vashti Walker, have done right, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. They have been an extraordinary source of love, guidance, and inspiration in my life. First and foremost, my father’s role as a pastor and servant leader has had a profound impact on shaping my character. Read more>>

Kenneth Woods

I’m so thankful for the way my parents raised me! They were 21 living in Hawaii when they had me. As young parents in the military, they the best they knew how. One of the things they did that has impacted my life up until this very day was encourage my love of reading. Once they realized that I loved to read, they bought me so many books! My mom used to read to my siblings and I all the time when we were little, and I think that made me love reading even more. Read more>>

Tonya Todd

They exposed me to the arts and humanities and allowed me to explore my interests with few limitations. Schooling was important, but so were books, music, movies, and museums. My mother, especially, told me that I could do or be the best at anything I chose, and I think she still believes this. Read more>>

 Jordan Booth

The biggest thing my parents did right was encourage me to pursue my interests, even if they didn’t get it or understand it. They have been my biggest supporters; pushing me to find creative solutions and to reach as far as I could to achieve my goals. They have taught me numerous lessons that have guided me through my more recent years. Read more>>

Jeanne Enstad

Growing up on a small farm in rural America, as a tough, stubborn, workaholic, and German tomboy I learned hard work, respect, ethics, and faith. My parents and grandparents taught me to overcome any trial with the attitude of not being a victim. Being the tomboy I got up at 4 am with my dad and grandfather to milk cows, then after breakfast at 6 am, to the fields of either baling 100# bales, pulling weeds, picking up rocks, driving a tractor, butchering, gardening, survival, etc. Read more>>

Daniel Rivas

The way that I am today and reason why Im incredibly entrepreneurial driven are because of the qualities and morals my parents instilled in me at a young age. The values they imparted have shaped my character and influenced the way I approach life and business. Here’s why: Read more>>

Camille Cook

Instilled in me the importance of always being kind, smile even when you aren’t feeling your best, Trust God at all times and know that everyone goes through a storm to get to their rainbow. Read more>>

Porcilla “Ziggy” Charlton

I truly believe my sister and I have been blessed with the best parents in the world. They’ve always instilled independence, and self awareness in us both, helping shape us into the women we are today. My dad has always stressed and proved that you can do anything you put your mind to. My mother has never let us give up on our dreams, Read more>>