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.
Jenelle Hanes
Wow, this is such a beautiful question! Let me begin by saying my parents raised me. AND, let me be clear, they more than raised me. I must go back a bit to help you understand. In 2016, I was able to return to work (while I was building my own business) with an employer that allowed me to use my niche. I left in three years prior because my husband and I were pretty confident we had completed our family with our third child. We also thought staying home was an option for a little while. A month after returning to work, I learned that my mother was diagnosed with ALS (Leu Gehrig’s Disease). Talk about a body blow! Read more>>
Camille Evans
I am the oldest of 5 children and come from a single mother. I was raised by mother and retired grandmother who used to take me to her part time jobs with me. She taught me work ethic early on and to have ambition in whatever it is you do. She went from a high paid government worker to a Hallmark worker that simply filled the cards at local grocery stores. She made me work for my allowance which in turn taught me hard work always pays off at any level, and that no matter the job you can always learn something to apply it to other aspects of your life. My grandmother is a millionaire now and my mother is retired now as well living the dream of taken on small projects that pay just as much as she did when working for the government too. I am first generation entrepreneur in my family now and my brother has followed my footsteps. Read more>>
Tiffany Washington
I think what my parents did right is that they did a little of everything. I think about this often as I have a 16 year old son and 13.5 year old daughter. Variety seems to be the spice of life as far as it being the secret to good parenting. Exposing children to a plethora of outlets for creative freedom, a multitude of sports and physical activities to see if there is interest or innate prowess, and then all kinds of people and cultural activities to help expand horizons and bolster creativity. Read more>>
Jack Botti
My parents contributed to a huge part of my success as a creative and business owner. I recently heard the saying “caught not taught.” That resonated with me when looking back at my childhood. Watching my mom juggle 3 kids while my dad worked all day to exceedingly support his family showed me discipline and success. They didn’t have to sit me down and teach me the right/wrong ways of life. I was able to witness it first hand. My dad was up before the sun rose to work out in the room next to my bedroom. He worked all day, then took me to track or football practice in the evening. All while managing to love his wife and have dinner as a family every night. He SHOWED me what it took to be a man. That forced me how to put my head down and succeed. Read more>>
Sara Bennett
My dad really focused on optimism and “choosing to wake up on the right side of the bed.” I also think he had high expectations but was never overly critical. I have been a type-A perfectionist from the time I can remember, so my mom would say, “be easy with yourself” to quiet my inner-critic. My dad was always super expressive about how much he loved us and how proud he was. Even though we had a really big family, he always showed up to everything he could even though he was working full-time and stretched thin. My mom was a teacher (my second-grade teacher), so she instilled a love of learning and neither parent got annoyed at my incessant curiosity and precocious nature. As well, my dad pushed me to be independent but provided help and support when I asked. While my dad was strict, I think I needed those boundaries and would have gotten in more mischief if I didn’t have an early curfew. Read more>>
Brazil Raine
My parents were amazing at teaching us the value of hard work. My dad worked very hard doing manual labor since he was a young kid, which instilled in me the desire to work hard so I’d never need someone to take care of me. I was babysitting as early as I can remember and I got my first job at a catering company when I was 12 (I even lied about my age to get the job). My parents were always more on the practical side of things, so although my dad was a musician and loved creativity, neither of them thought it was possible to make a great living doing makeup and hair. I was dead set on being a traveling makeup artist, but when it came time to graduate high school and figure out my next steps, I went to school for travel and hospitality management with the hopes of being a travel scout for agencies and designing tourism packages all over. Read more>>
Savannah Harris
I have been very blessed with the incredible support system my family has provided for me. I have never been one that could stick with a job for an excessive amount of time. As soon as I start having the negative feelings or just dreading going to work in general I would switch it up and find something new. It wasn’t until a little more experience and age, that I realized, I didn’t like working my life away, making other peoples dreams come true, and not being created for it. I was working the basic Monday – Friday 9-5 that everyone is “raised” thinking that is all there is in life. I wasn’t making my own schedule. I didn’t have lunch longer than 30 minutes, and I was stuck behind a desk all day everyday. I was working towards someone else’s dreams, when I should have been chasing my own. Thankfully, my parents helped me realize that. What did my parents do right? They trusted me, while supporting me, to find my purpose in life, the thing I am passionate about the most. Read more>>
Sajalyn Tovar
My parents gave me a great home to live in, an education and taught me importance of having moral values and that things done well and with love are important.. They were the base I relied on to be able to study my career, and learn everything I now know. They also planted in me a love for sports, and were always there to cheer me on. I’ve been a swimmer since I was a kid and always felt frustrated with the swimsuits available for purchase, At 9 years old I asked my mother to design a swimsuit for me, She had a small atelier but she didn’t know how to make swimsuits, she decided to take a course and she took me with her. After that, swimsuits became my purpose. Read more>>
Angela Webster
I am grateful for my parents. They were twenty years apart in age; to that end, their lived experiences gave them different perspectives on living well. My father modeled a strong work ethic, adherence to his life principles, courage, and leadership. My mother demonstrated her social prowess through etiquette, a deep value for humankind, and service to others. Both of their lives substantiated a spirit of gratitude, excellence, and perseverance. Sometimes, they taught us their beliefs; in other instances, we caught their beliefs. They lived out loud, so their distinguishing characteristics could not be easily overlooked. My life is demonstrably better because of them. Due to their influences, I can draw a straight line from my humble beginnings to my current success in life. Read more>>
Gary Stockdale
My mom was a singer, and actually did a record backed up by the musicians from Nat King Cole’s band. She always encouraged me in every way, but especially musically. She started me on piano lessons at age 4, and was my biggest fan and supporter. Read more>>
June Haupts
A sense of independence was there from the beginning. My parents had 4 kids within 4 years, so we were left to our own to figure out how to make it in this world. Ever since I can remember, I had my own business. Whether that be a lemonade stand, making and delivering donuts, babysitting, or shoveling snow out of the neighbor’s driveways, we were constantly hustling. My folks were supportive of us creating our own livelihoods, instilling confidence and creating an understanding of practical decision making. Read more>>
Adrian Blake
My artistic journey began with my parents, because they believed first. They recognized my talent and aptitude to visually create and express myself by either painting or drawing very early, and realized that my love for graphic material such as comics, graphic novels and the like was a bit different from other children around me, so they leaned into that. I always had Archie comics and the Hardy Boys books handy, so I was always reading and recreating what I saw with every turn of their pages. Read more>>
Jake Diaz
I grew up having a really hard time in school. I was faced with many challenges, and eventually diagnosed with a learning disability.. My mom didn’t believe that and pulled me out of public school to homeschool me. Within a few months, I went from a failing student to mostly all A’s. It was t that I had a learning disability, it was that I learn differently and need a more personalized, visual and quieter environment. I also needed to be challenged more so homeschooling works well for me. Read more>>
Francis Houston Blakely Suchomel III
Growing up I was extremely lucky to have parents who were supportive of, or at least humored, my creative interests and passions. Some of my earliest inspiration came from visits to the Art Institute of Chicago, where I was exposed to historic exhibits like ancient Egypt and classic painters, including the masterful use of color found in the work of Monet. Equally inspirational were Saturday morning cartoons, The Dark Crystal, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Star Wars, and all sci-fi and fantasy that formed the mythology for a kid growing up in the 70s and early 80s. Like all kids during this time, I wanted an Atari. While I wasn’t thrilled at the time, my parents had a genius compromise. If I wanted to play video games, why not make them? Read more>>
Jackie Rose Wuest
My parents, Dave & Gloria Tafoya, were incredibly driven and hard working. Their dedication to each other and our family has inspired my strong work ethic and my own devotion to my family. My Dad met my Mom in El Paso, Texas. They fell in love and started a family. They eventually moved to Denver. My Dad was a sign maker since the age of 16. Back then signs were hand painted. When computers, plotters and printers became the widely used in the sign making industry during the 90’s, he put himself through night school to learn to type and use the latest technology in sign making. My dad, an optimist by nature, understood that he had to learn and grow if he wanted to continue making signs for a living. So, he did. He happily worked in his chosen field until he retired last year. Read more>>
Molly Martin-Terry
My parents prepared me every single day for this business by surrounding me with art in all forms. My mom was actually a florist for decades, so I was always playing with flowers, helping with events, and learning from her. My first real job as a florist was actually with my mom. I remember on my first day I went to sit down while I worked, and she said “We don’t sit”, meaning florists don’t sit…wow was she right! She prepared me for endless days with no breaks and eating lunch with dirty hands! She absolutely helped me gain the confidence and technical skill I needed to succeed in this industry. Read more>>
Deborah G (Gardner)
Born into a military lifestyle, my family of five lived a nomadic existence, constantly on the move from one military base to another. We never had the chance to grow up with familiar faces or create lasting friendships with the kids next door. Our lives resembled the never-ending ride of “It’s A Small World” at Disney World – a whirlwind of new places, schools, and cultures without ever getting off the ride. Ever! My father, a brave fighter pilot in the Vietnam War, earned the title “Major Dad” with his dedication and valor. But as the military chapter of our lives came to an end when I was just seven years old, uncertainty loomed over our family. We had no home, no jobs, and the financial struggles meant we could only afford one meal a day. It was like being on an involuntary Weight Watchers plan but without paying for it. Read more>>
Bebe Stockwell
Growing up is an incredible journey of discovery, filled with mistakes that teach us to embrace our true selves. I think Each of us has a unique perspective on the world. One thing that my parents did right was they always told me to embrace my imagination.Despite possessing a vast imagination, honing in on its unique artistic essence proved to be a challenging hobby I wanted to develop.From a young age, I was captivated by stories. I would drift off to sleep, enchanted by old fairy tales and tales passed down through generations. Though these characters were unfamiliar to me in reality, I felt a profound closeness to them through the stories as they walked through my ears. This introduction to storytelling unleashed the boundless potential of my imagination and opened the gateway to my love for music. Read more>>
Delaney Dillon
I can’t say everything with my family has been linear. There were some clear and cut trajectories, such as go to school, graduate, go to college, graduate that too, get a career… Like all 90’s kids, we were told that getting higher education was the only way we would be successful in anything. My older sister proved just that. Then, so did my brother. But all I could see was the chaos beyond the direct course. I chased deer away from the main thoroughfare. I stopped and examined mushrooms under trees, splashed around in a meandering creek. Climbed a few cottonwoods. Wandered back to the path a few times, just to see where it was going, before trotting off in search of birds nests. I couldn’t walk in a straight line any better than a drunk. Read more>>
Hudda Ibrahim
From an early age, my parents instilled in me certain fundamental qualities that have become integral to both my professional and personal life. We are Muslim, so our main holiday is called Eid Al- Fitr. As a child we lived for a while in Ethiopia after the Somali Civil War of 1991. On Eid Day, my father made my siblings and I deliver food to our neighbors, almost 15 houses to our right, 15 houses to our left. This experience served as my initial introduction to the values of generosity and hospitality, which I carry with me every single day, extending them to my community and teammates. Whether it is within our office or during our training sessions, I strive to provide the same level of generosity and hospitality to anyone who visits. Read more>>
Caroline Veach
My father was an amateur virtuoso pianist. He had performed concerts and live radio programs as a young adult and was greatly loved by his audiences. Although he was not my piano teacher, he was always my mentor. My earliest memories are of hearing him play Chopin on our Steinway grand piano which resides in my living room to this day. He inspired me to emulate his beautiful playing from those earliest days. However, although she was not a trained musician, it was my mother who sat beside me on the piano bench during the years of my childhood when I didn’t want to practice. She and my teacher kept me going through the difficult early teenage years when so many people give up their pursuit of the piano. Sometimes I wouldn’t practice at all during the week, but I’d have a lesson nonetheless, and so I kept learning. Mother called it “getting over the hump,” and once on the downhill side, the going was much easier. Read more>>
Zaynah Ayan
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my mother—the most selfless and compassionate woman I know. She was my first real example of a person who strives to be a beacon of kindness in a world that may not always be so kind. My mom sacrificed a lot to make sure my siblings and I had a wonderful childhood despite our impoverished circumstances. I never knew how dire our situation was because she greatly shielded us from those hardships. Even as the oldest daughter of five children, I was never overburdened with responsibilities growing up. My mom wanted me to enjoy being a kid. Read more>>
Gabrielle A. Hill
Growing up, my parents always supported my dreams! No matter the performance, athletic event or formal function, they showed up for me. These actions taught me early on to take the big leaps and know that even if I fell, I had a support system to catch me. My mother has always been a boss. She modeled for me how to balance using creative expression and professionalism to deliver a quality experience to whomever I was supporting at the time. She gave me my first set of business cards when I was in elementary school and became an official “conflict mediator.” She wrote stories for my brother and me, worked in non-profit and corporate areas, and had her own businesses over the years….boss! Read more>>
Madison Heller
It is no surprise to people that the way they are raised affects the person they will one day become. My parents were very strict growing up, and they held me to the highest expectations. I remember, as a kid asking my mom to go hang out with my friends, to which she would respond, “No.” Then, when I complained that everyone else was going, she would tell me, “Well, you are not like everyone else.” It was hard to understand why my parents held me to such a high standard as a kid. Now, as a business executive, I know. The people who create monumental waves in the world are not the ones that go with the flow but, instead, those that question what is happening around them. I am not scared to take a chance and try something out of the box because I know I am not like everyone else. What was a hard lesson to learn as a kid is ultimately what I attribute most of my success to. Read more>>
Cam Kashani
My parents are immigrants and so am I. We moved to the US when I was almost 2 years old. The resilience, hard work and dedication they had to come to a new country where they don’t know the language and with less that five dollars in their pocket and a baby, is a level of fearlessness that I feel in my veins. And it helps me every time I fall, every time I fail, and every time I want to give up. I remember who I am, and I get right back up. I’m beyond grateful to have the parents I have. My father became a well known and well respected physician and my mother has her degree in Psychology. Without them I wouldn’t be who I am. Read more>>
Susie Schiering
I was the youngest of 6 and also was born when my parents were 41 and 43. The sibling closest in age to me at the time was 10. The first thing my parents did right was to tell me I was a pleasant surprise. I never felt like a mistake, unwanted or a burden. I felt loved and cherished. My parents spent time with me even when there were so may other kids in their crazy teen years. When I got to be a teen, my dad hired me on at his business. He was an entrepreneur. He liked opportunities. He taught me to be a go-getter and risk taker. He also (at the time I thought it was weird) told me to look in the mirror and tell myself I was beautiful each day. This was in the 80’s so way before all the popular personal development we have now. He was ahead of his time! Read more>>
Jamie Uertz
My parents kind of let me be free to explore any interests growing up and this was something I have grown to appreciate. I went through a sports phase, a gaming phase, and then the music phase. So whenever my interests shifted there was never the, “No, you need to stick this out,…” speech. This gave me the freedom to explore without being worried I would disappoint them. By the time I was in High School, I was in a band and my folks had no issues with me going to practice after school every day or playing shows on the weekends. They trusted I would not get into trouble. They just always said the minute I break their trust it was over. So I was always honest with them about what I was doing, where I was going, and who I was with and there was never an issue. It was a lot of freedom for a high school kid, and this allowed me to do things like play shows at house parties, out-of-town shows, etc. Read more>>
Candace Stull
My parents have always been such an inspiration to me. I couldn’t imagine doing all the things they did to start their own business and continue to be successful and thus, provide for our family. There are many things my parents taught me, but from a very young age, I was always taught that nothing in life is handed to you. It comes with hard work and dedication. If you really want something, then you need to work for it. Then, in the end, when you know that you’ve put your all into it and given it everything you’ve got, the reward you get and the benefits you reap will be that much sweeter. Why? Because you never gave up. You persevered even when it was hard. You failed, learned from those mistakes and kept going. You ignored others when they said you couldn’t do it or maybe talked behind your back because they were jealous, and you proved them all wrong. Read more>>
David Harland Rousseau
In my formative years, my mother and father worked incredibly hard to keep a roof over our heads, working two or three jobs each, just to make ends meet. Yet, even in the leanest of times, Mom and Dad made time for family, making a point of giving my brother and I many life-enriching experiences. As a toddler, my parents introduced me to the written word. They made time to read with me as often as they could. Work was no excuse; family came first. By the time I entered kindergarten, I was reading to them. (Somewhere, I have a cassette recording of my five-year-old self awkwardly reading Big Max, a simple story about a detective tasked with retrieving the elephant of a king. Now, if I could also find a working tape player….) Read more>>
Kamilah Antoine
My mom has several famous quotes, and one of them is, “Either you fail to plan or plan to fail”. Growing up with a single mom who immigrated from Panama to the US as a child, I was instilled with a strong work ethic. My mother imparted valuable lessons, emphasizing the significance of faith, compassion, hard work, and education for shaping a better future. Among these crucial teachings, she consistently stressed the importance of planning and having backup options. So, when I entered college at 17 and unexpectedly became pregnant with my son, Steven, two years later, I instinctively began contemplating my plans and alternatives once the initial shock subsided. It marked the first time I had to confront my future and make decisions for my son’s life. Read more>>
Jacquiline Habashy
My parents came to the United States as refugees with nothing more than a dream for a better life. They worked countless jobs to put food on the table and to support my siblings and me. Prayer and education were two pillars that my parents prioritized for their children with hopes that we would have more opportunity than they ever had. My father taught me by his actions to never take no for an answer. When he first arrived to America, he had no money and no job. He applied for a position at an insurance company 99 times, before they finally agreed to hire him. His first job was the night shift in the mail room and he continued to advance with his hard work and perseverance. Two traits that I admired and aimed to replicate. With that said, I am the first and only individual in my entire family to go to medical school and through my faith and hard work, was able to enter one of the most competitive fields, my passion, Dermatology. Read more>>
Jacob Voss
I can point to many instances in my life where I have taken the values or lessons my parents have instilled in me or taught me to help guided me into doing the right thing. I’m lucky to have two really amazing people that I get to call Mom and Dad. They have been incredible role models and people that my siblings and I continue to look up to. I’m proud of my parents and their many achievements, they both own successful small businesses, and both have strong reputations in the community. As small business owners I saw first hand the importance of hard work. They both worked many long hours and weekends to make sure they supported their customer and clients; however, they still always made time for their family never missing any of our school activities and always sitting at the table helping with our homework assignments when we needed them. Read more>>