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.

Franki Ray

Well, our brand is actually named after our dads, Franki & Raymond. So needless to say they certainly impacted our career choice. We both come from entrepreneurial families. Our hustle is genetic! Even though our brand is something we love, it is WORK. So when it’s not all sunshine and rainbows we know that’s not the time to quit. That’s how continue to prevail. Read more>>

Tammy Le

Growing up, my parents had a significant impact on my life. When I was 8 years old, my parents got divorced and my mom became even more strict and hard on me, which taught me responsibility and discipline. This has helped me to become independent and self-sufficient. My dad consistently demonstrated integrity, and he always kept his word and promises. Read more>>

Alice Hasen

My mother, Anne, has been a professional flute player in the Vermont Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years. Even before I was born, I was surrounded by music almost daily. I grew up under the wing of the entire orchestra, with musicians of all backgrounds playing a part in my experiences backstage and at rehearsals and concerts. Mom was always very honest with me about what it would take to make it to the level of being a professional musician, often reminding me that there were easier paths in life. Read more>>

Kasey Render

My parents were very disciplined growing up. They instilled the right amount of focus in me from a young age. At the time I felt that my mom overprotected me and was too hard on me but it paid off in the long run. My dad was a silent detailed oriented creative behind the scenes. He would spend a lot of days watching the HGTV channel learning all of the DIY projects. Read more>>

Jasmine Butler

I believe my parents Did do right. I appreciate having both parents in my life since birth. Although they were separated, they both instilled some great values and morals. I really have to thank my mom for pushing me to be authentic, strong minded, and a pure GO GETTER. I have her thank NOT ONLY for solely being my back bone in my business, but having such an impact on my schooling, my support during all my encounters with clinicals , testing dates and ect… my parents are the reason I have made it this far. I would not be who I am today without them. Read more>>

Kathleen Kelly

My parents have always pushed “do what makes you happy”. Of course, if we could figure out how to earn a living from it, that would be ideal, but the focus was always on finding happiness. They’ve always been genuinely interested and supportive in any creative endeavors from asking questions to even offering financial support however they could. Read more>>

Yazgulia Hojaniyazova

My parents made the most valuable influence to my taste and worldview. My parents took me on my childhood to museums, galleries, exhibitions. They introduced me to artists, musicians, jewelers and other creative people. Since my dad worked in the construction sector, we had a lot of books and magazines in the interior of design, architecture, etc. Read more>>

Nino Cao

I rarely use words like right or wrong with my family to describe what they do for me because the origins of what they do for me are rooted in love. So I prefer to elaborate on what positive impact they do has on me. Take my mother, for example, who has given so much to me since I was a child and has been incredibly supportive and accommodating in the pursuit of my interests. When I first learned to walk, I used to scribble on the walls at home with a paintbrush, which now seems to be a very annoying behavior because I made the walls under one meter dirty. Read more>>

Ella Colimore

My parents have always said to do what makes me happy. They emphasize how important it is to them to see me happy and doing something that makes me happy. My Dad noticed I was getting more involved in cooking and encouraged me to make an instagram highlighting the food I make. I did so and started posting on it. I was worried people would judge me, but my families encouragement made me excited to post and confident in my ability. Read more>>

Keylee Sanders Helmich

My parents told me I could do anything I wanted in life and supported every crazy idea I have ever had! I’ve been a big dreamer since I was a child, constantly creating fantasy worlds in my mind and wanting to live in them. My parents never discouraged me or told me I was dreaming too big… they only told me to go for it! Read more>>

Chad Milford

My parents are hard workers. I mean really hard workers. They were both raised by farmers, picking cotton, milking cows, hoeing corn, you name it, they did it. Work was constant and they didn’t complain. Read more>>

Sean Cogan

One of the best things that my parents did for me was to instill a love of learning and exploring at a very young age. I have very clear memories of sitting with my parents and siblings when we were children, working through various word problems that my parents came up with and asking and answering questions about anything. We were all encouraged to do our best in school, to read anything we could get our hands on, and to try new things and keep an open mind. Read more>>

Billy Zehr

My parents were very kind humans both to me and to everyone they ever met. My Mother is really excellent at interior design and was very good at teaching me how to design a space with what you have available. Dont want to toot on my brass horn so I won’t but you get the drift! My father was an award winning chef for many years he owned The Old MiLL Restaurant and Wine Bar in Newton KS closed the doors in 1992. Read more>>

Ashley M. King

I respect my father for being a man of integrity and accountability. My father said what he meant and meant what he said, which would seem harsh at times because he was far from one to sugarcoat anything. He was a straight shooter. But if he said he would do something for you, you can take that to the bank. Read more>>

Tenish Fordham

Growing up having 5 siblings I was the baby. My parents raised us serving God. I can remember as a child we would all get on our knees around my parent’s bed to pray. My dad would start off and go around in a circle. Each of us had to pray. Threw out my career that is one thing that I have carried with me. Read more>>

Popsii Ranx

Well my parents have done tons of great things but one thing that stands out is my parents taught me to be a leader. That trait i will say stands out in whatever I do and it aids in my unique way of playing music and helps with me keeping a leveled head to know what I need for my journey. That also allowed me to understand that you need to be a great listener to be a great leader so I take the opportunities given to learn from veteran Djs before myself and adopt ways to Improve myself. Read more>>

Rhonda Savain

My parents have been so instrumental in my development and success. As an educator I love mnemonics. As a result I will say my parents have helped me with “FIDE.” Focus, Independence, Discipline, and Education. Read more>>

Kaylin Rios

My parents did a lot of great things for me. One of the most important things that I now am very thankful for is teaching me financial education at a very young age. I remember being very young and my parents used to give me an allowance every Sunday. They would always approach to me and showed me how to make $10 into $50. And how to invest my money wisely, how to budget and how to duplicate my money. Read more>>

alexa seda

Ah let’s see, what my parents did right was letting me flee the coop and have experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have had. Growing up in a Latino family- I often felt that my mom didn’t subscribe to traditional norms. Traditional norms as, having to be the one to cook and wait hand and foot for a husband to tell her what to do or telling me I needed to get a job to provide for the family, or marry someone within my “race”. Read more>>

Dr. Lisa Cortez

My parents, especially my mother, taught me a vital lesson that has helped me. She taught me always to be kind and to use our limited resources to help others. Growing up, we had very little money, but my mom’s heart was generous like my dad’s. She fed the neighbors that didn’t have enough, even when we were tight on resources. My parents showed me that real wealth comes from within. Read more>>

Cameron Garnigan

During my journey, and even now, my mom gave me space. You never really realize how space plus a solid foundation can really make you excel. She always gave me my own say and independence to make my own decisions. She never pushed me down a path that she thought I should be on, but one that I wanted for myself. I know it scared her that I didn’t choose the college route but I felt it was important to take advantage of my youth and take risks. She never faulted me for that or held it over my head and I really appreciate that. Read more>>

Salena Mckelvey

I remember as early as elementary school, I would see my parents taking care of family members and each other when they were ill. My Mom took care of me after back surgery in middle school. I watched my Mom take care of my Dad through brain surgery, kidney transplant, heart attack with a triple bypass and stroke. I watched my Dad go to various family member houses clean and fix things around the house when they were ill. My Dad took care of my Mom when she went through her many headache episodes during the years leading up to her dementia diagnosis. Read more>>

Damini Alspaugh

When I was growing up my parents both worked full time, often passing each other on the way to their jobs. They were always practical, careful with money, and encouraged me to do well in school. As I got older they made sure I had creative outlets (dance, drawing supplies, a summer theater program) but seemed to be pushing me toward academic success and a stable job in the future. When I reached my teenage years I rebelled against this. Read more>>

Ellen Martin

Parents all have their perfect downfalls that shape us in ways that are both challenging and needed. My parents intentionally… or unintentionally raised me and my brother to be independent and self-guided. They gave us the freedom to both choose and pave our own path. To be more specific, however, one of the greatest blessings my parents bestowed upon me was a Waldorf education. For those who are unfamiliar, Waldorf education is an alternative approach that supports the holistic needs of the child through the development process. Read more>>

Karmen Scott

You know, my parents did what I pray I do for my two babies. They always taught my siblings and me to pursue our passions and our dreams. They never forced anything on us and they didn’t just tell us, but they showed us. I remember being in elementary school doing homework with my mom. Like actually sitting and doing our homework together because she decided to go back to school to pursure a career in cosmetology as she’d always wanted to. Read more>>

Brian Bauer

As a young child, I spent many hours entertaining myself with keyboards and synthesizers. By the time I was 10, my mother decided to buy an antique upright piano and restore it by hand in our garage. This was inspiring in a way, because her weeks of physical labor made me want to work hard at learning the instrument. I can recall the thrill of its completion and how I immediately rolled up my sleeves, enrolled in lessons, and began to find my own work ethic. My mother transformed that piano, and the piano transformed me. Read more>>

Tiffany Jones

I struggled with dyslexia growing up and had a lot of trouble in school. Teachers didn’t know what to do with someone who had a second-grade reading level in 6th grade but could comprehend at a college level. My parents were told I would be lucky to graduate high school. So, they went above and beyond to get me help. Getting my sister and I dyslexia tutors so we could learn how to cope with the challenges. Read more>>

Morgan Bronson

I was homeschooled K-12, with the exception of the occasional religious or artistic class. And even though I might do it a little differently if I have children, I loved being free to explore any avenue of life I chose. My parents raised me and my 6 younger siblings through the early 90s and 2010s very “freely”. We were able to choose what we spent our time doing, and most of the time, I was doing art and design. Read more>>

Kayla Rafferty

My parents have always been selfless when it came to my two sisters and me. No matter how tough it was financially or mentally for them, they made sure to provide the best for us. I don’t believe that any parent is a perfect parent, but I have always felt supported by my parents when it comes to my art and creativity. Read more>>

Janita Gilliam

I was the youngest of three, the baby of the family. Growing up I always had a front seat to what my older sister and brother did. They were the model for me on what to do and occasionally what not to do. My father was the backbone of our family, hard worker, firm and the leader of our home. My mom was always nurturing, caring and made huge sacrifices. I remember a time in elementary school when I cam home with a C on my math test. Read more>>

Devin Adams

My parents have always just let me live my life exactly how I want. They gave me the freedom to express myself and be whoever I wanted to be (I had many style phases). Most importantly, they are so supportive of everything I do. Read more>>

Matthew French

My parents are some of the most amazing people on the planet! Honest, hard-working, and gracious people with the spark and fire to get things done. Gardening is their favorite thing in the world and they spend most of the year planning, planting and harvesting. I just visited them for Christmas and there in the middle of a massive winter storm they couldn’t stop talking about how they had prepared the soil for next year’s garden, what they are going to plant, and who they were going to share the harvest with. That’s where the lessons begin. Read more>>

Dr. Andrea Curry

My parents raised me to fear God and to work hard. They encouraged me to give everything I do my very best. I remember when I was old enough to drive. I decided to sleep late one Saturday morning. My Mom came into my room and asked if I wanted a car. I enthusiastically answered in the affirmative, she said, “Okay, let’s go fill out job applications.” Read more>>

Matthew Breunig

I really owe my decision for my career path to my folks. I was not the best academic student when in high school and I think that had my dad concerned when I was 16-17 years old. My dad was a guidance counselor for a small community college near my hometown so he had me take an aptitude test. I had always been interested in art & being creative from a young age & the test gave me a list of several jobs that I might be interested in. Read more>>

Koko Harris

The greatest thing I believe my parents did was to nurture me but not pressure me. My parents always wanted me to do good, but they left the choice up to me to actually go be good and want more out of life. Although they had things they wanted me to achieve they allowed me to experience, grow, and become without out all the extra pressure that some people experience growing up. I believe that this has helped me the most in becoming who I am today because I know how to show grace to myself when things are not the greatest. If first you don’t succeed, try again and conquer. Read more>>

Natasha Zajac

Both of my parents have always encouraged me to be curious about what makes me light up. They supported me in all ways as I tried out many things in life and were my biggest cheerleaders. From the womb, my dad, being musical himself, would have me listen to all types of music at different times. He did everything he could to send me to a private conservatory style music school and made sure I wouldn’t have to foot the bill at the end. Read more>>