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.

Christians Avila

My parents Taught me to work for what I want, to do what is right, to treat people right. This impacted me in my life when I decided to leave my country and start a new life in England, the fact that my parents raised me that way helped me a lot to scale up in my work. Read more>>

Victoria Smith

I was an athlete growing up, I swam and played water polo. I also had a tv show in high school discussing local high school sports. I had no desire to go to college. I wanted to be a stuntwoman. In high school I would have to go see our career counselor, Ms. Lapava, and she would have all her college books out and I would say I don’t need need to look at those, I’m not going to college, I’m going to be a stuntwoman in the movies. I had a plan, move to Los Angeles and be a stuntwoman. Read more>>

Irene Michaels

I am very lucky to have such loving and giving parents. The were the salt of the earth…They were my biggest fans, if I miss anything the most, it that part of my life… They taught me value, respect, honesty, and giving. They were so caring and comforting…I wish more children had parents like I had – my mom always use to say, ” Everyone should have a daughter like mine. Feelings where mutual.  Read more>>

Gen Obolensky

Haha – make parent made me work from a veeeeeery young age. I honestly can’t recall a time I didn’t have chores or wasn’t expected to pitch in. We had to earn everything we got and through that I feel that we (me and my 2 sisters) have a strong work ethic. Even if we didn’t feel well (and I realize this might now fit into how things are today) – but if we woke up not feeling good, unless we had a fever or were literally throwing up we had to go to school. Read more>>

Ingrid Restemayer

My parents were both creative, inquisitive, lifelong-learners with a touch of blind optimism. All things that are needed to be an artist. While they both worked outside the home, Dad was a woodwork and photography hobbyist who had a woodshop in the garage and a darkroom setup in our basement laundry room. Mom was always, always crocheting, knitting, or sewing our clothes. Both of them were household DIY-ers before it was trendy, with a budget based in “use what you’ve got”. Read more>>

Spencer Plumlee

My parents have always been there for me. There has never been a closed door from them in any way. They never questioned my desires to pursue art at any age growing up. I have been selling my work professionally since being 14, so by the time college came around it was hardly even a discussion as to what I would be pursuing. I think being an only child helped allow them to focus on if I needed help building, hauling art, or just to listen to if I ever had any logistical problem to work through.Read more>>

Helen Hassel

My mother …. 1. Only Child / 10 kids 2. Women’s advocate : Priority Board Dayton ,, Oh … started first food pantry 3. Church secretary / faith in God 4. Overcame obstacles 5. Exposed me to traveling 6. Dance / Ballet. Read more>>

Dr. Monee Dulay

My parents did many things right and what really stands out to me are their bravery, grit, and determination. They immigrated to the United States in the 1980s, leaving everything that they know to fulfill their “American Dream.” Once in America, they would each work 2, sometimes 3, jobs at a time to achieve their goals. Eventually, they dove into the world of entrepreneurship opening a business serving elderly people with Alzheimer’s Disease and early stages of dementia. Read more>>

Viveca Hutchinson

Both of my parents were lovely, open, caring people, that loved the Lord. They have instilled in me to be kind, authentic, and optimistic. Most importantly they allowed to be myself. Both of my parents have pass on, but made it their mission to show me the meaning of love for myself, family, friends, and people I will come across in life. Read more>>

Trench

I grew up in a very musical and artistic family. My dad was always being creative while I was growing up and with him being in Entertainment himself, I was always surrounded by the spark of art. Growing up I loved creating things and being able to take nothing and create something, or to be able to take something and make it 100x bigger and more exciting. Read more>>

Eva Melton

I grew up in spiritual spaces and that became the foundation of my life. Being able to observe my parent’s spiritual practices and their personal rituals engrained something deep within me. I have a natural quest for spiritual things. I love reading spiritual books because of the types of books my father would read and still does. We share books with each other even now. Read more>>

Melanie Queponds

My first memory of my life is being carried by my dad through a mall department store, most likely JCPenney, wearing a red velvet dress with white lace on the collar and on the skirt. This was after taking those classic 90s glamour shots for Christmas photos. Based on the photos I have seen, I was three years old. I remember feeling so content after what most toddlers would have dread or despair towards – having a stranger tell you what to do, when to smile, flashing lights, uncomfortable clothes and tight shoes, and so on. Read more>>

Violet Staley

They encouraged me to attend Girls Rock! Camp. Girls Rock! Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a socially just community with girls, transgender youth, and gender expansive youth. I would not be where I am today without Girls Rock! Camp. Read more>>

Ulrike Manhart

Growing up in an Austrian home between a general medical practitioner (my father) with a love of homeopathy and an enthusiastic kinesiologist (my mother) and working in the laboratory with my father, my parents laid the foundation for my love and passion for health. Through my parents, I learned to honor Eastern and Western medicine and also to see the human being as a whole. Illness was always the number one topic at our kitchen table. Deep inside me I felt that my path was to support people in being healthy so that it would not lead to illness. Read more>>

Vanessa Elle Wilde

My parents are both creatives so I learned early on the value of trusting and following through on my creative instincts. Funny enough, before I ever knew a thing about Improvisational comedy, my mother, who was an incredible designer always said to greet customers with a smile, and always say YES! This is one of the primary principles of applied improvisation Yes, AND, and a guiding light for how I work and live my life.  Read more>>

Ben Mathews

Even though they balked at the idea of film school when I first proposed it, they have, over the years, come to embrace my passion full heartedly. Both my parents come from business backgrounds, so I bet the idea of their son going into a creative field, one that’s hard to study and define, was daunting. Regardless of their uncertainties, they’ve watched and supported me as I’ve grown as an artist, an entertainment professional, and a filmmaker. Read more>>

Troy Moore

I recognize it’s completely cliche to pay tribute to your parents for the life lessons they taught. But I truly believe the guidance they provided me growing up made, and continues to make, a difference in my life. My father worked hard every day as a second-generation small business owner. He and his two brothers ran a heavy equipment and excavation company that my grandfather started in his early years. Read more>> 

Jennifer Montez

Both my parents have always had a strong work ethic from children. My father came from a humble background and always had side hustles as a child and my mother always worked hard in school, while having multiple jobs and always achieved all of her goals. I watched both my parents build their business’ from the ground up into a successful business. Read more>> 

Jayden Mendoza

My parents were always very supportive in what I wanted to do in life. Even just by listening to what I had made the pervious night I always felt like I had their support. Read more>> 

Valaycia (Layci The PT) Muhammad

My parents did right by forcing me out of my shell at a young age and placing me in the fitness industry. This has had a huge impact on my career because it wouldn´t exist without my parents’ decision. I was super shy when I was younger; I was always scared of talking to people, especially in front of huge crowds. This transition from being a shy girl into a fitness trainer at 12 years old was my dad (Siddiqu The PT) making me instruct portions of the classes and while at first it was horrible and terrifying as time went on I started coming into my own without constantly needing his help. Read more>> 

Mantey Twins

Social media can be dangerous place to spend a lot of time. Most people would agree it’s mainly because of the emotional toll it can take on a creator. As a creator, you’re constantly putting yourself in spaces to be validated or ridiculed. And as we’ve seen over the past couple of years, that can have some pretty negative consequences. Our parents raised us to know who we are. Read more>> 

Drizzy Dria

My parents raised my siblings and I right. They instilled in us the abilities to dream, achieve, support, and allow for others to support you. To give cheerfully and to sew seeds into yourself that will produce much abundant fruit. My parents made sure we were fed and our heads were on straight. They showed up to basketball games, track meets, art competitions, ceremonies, open mics, features, and showcases. As long as we did our best, nothing was impossible. Read more>> 

Kaitlyn Kohler

My parents gave me the space to grow creatively, and encouraged me and my passion throughout my childhood. When I expressed that I wanted to pursue music professionally, everyone asked if I had a back up plan, if there was something else I’d rather do instead, how hard it is to be successful in that field. My parents believed in me when no one else did, and my dad was the one to push me to do it. Read more>> 

 

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