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.

Danielle J

Since mothers day is coming up, I would love to pay homage to my mother. She passed away a few years ago but I still hold on to everything she taught me. The one thing she did right was teach me and my sister follow God and find our purpose in him. When I started photographer, I didn’t have too many cheerleaders but my mother was one. Read more>>

Courtney Cotter King

I was the baby of 6 kids who all did okay and were happy in their childhood/teens and becoming adults. My siblings are great people. It could have been easy for my parents to think that I could follow in their footsteps doing the same things they did and participating in the same programs (most of them liked sports and had different interests). Read more>> 

Rah Kalon

Throughout my life, my parents voices were the soundtrack for my self-love journey. While I grew up the youngest in a household of co-dependent people, I grew up seeing how powerful love in all its forms and expressions could be. I was taught love in times of achievement. Read more>> 

Devin Egbert

My parents instilled great values in me from the get go. One of the first lessons I remember learning from My mom is to not steal. We were at the grocery store around Christmas time. They had candy canes on the counter right near the cash register and my 7-year old brain thought that they were free, because at the bank they give out free lollipops, it only made sense to me! Read more>>

Dr. Jeff Comer

After many discussions with family and long periods of reflection, I decided to follow in my father’s footsteps to become a hospital CEO. As I embarked upon my career, dad gave me several great points of advice that he said would help me to be successful. These tips became central to my career success. Obviously, dad got it right in his career suggestions! Read more>>

Katy Lee West

My parents let me be independent. That was the biggest gift they gave me. I was never mandated to conform to social norms which allowed me to unleash my creative side and run wild with my creativity. It was a gift. As a child I had a big imagination and they encouraged me to use it. I wasn’t pushed to be something I wasn’t. I owe who I am today because of the freedom they provided when I was young. Read more>

Kiva Harper

My parents are no longer with me. I am still reflecting on all of the things they did right, Many were not realized until after their deaths. Both of my parents came from humble beginnings. My dad used to say, “I’m not an educated man so I have to work hard.” Read more>>

Honey Chappell

I grew up in rural Minnesota with 5 other siblings. From as early as I can remember my parents both worked tirelessly to give us a good happy home. My dad, who owned and worked his custom siding business only took off Sunday and worked from Dawn until well after dark. My mom, who worked full time and at the age of 40 graduated as a graphics designer. Read more>>

Rasheeta Joy Fields

There’s a point in life where you realize that your parents did the best they could. I realized this around age 30, where I stopped blaming my parents for all the things I “missed out” on in my childhood and understood that parents did the best they could and they tried to be better than their parents. Once I realized this my perspective changed and I saw what my parents did right. Read more>>

Dede Cherie

Growing up my parents were extremely supportive. Paying for private dance lessons, recitals, taking me back and forth to rehearsals and competitions I mean they were the epitome of a “Dance Mom and Dad”. Anything that I wanted to do in life then and now, I know without a doubt I could count on them and that within itself is a blessing I do not take for granted. Read more>>

Moses Ndubuzo

When I first told my Dad I wanted to be a visual artist (study arts), while in my final year from high school he said nothing, “I was really scared of his disapproval”, he had no idea what it means to be a visual artist, no one from my family has done something like that apart from my ancestors who were said to be craft men. Read more>>

Kaylenne Ramirez

My mom, hands down, taught me discipline and that there’s time for things we love to do as long as we manage our time well. She’s always been a hard worker. At one point in our lives when my sister and I were much younger, my mom had two jobs, cooked almost every night of the week from scratch, exercised at least 3x per week (many times it was all of us going to the park), found time to read and always had a clean and tidy home. To me she was super-mom but in reality she was teaching me the value of a disciplined life. Read more>>

Erik Bustillo

They taught me ethics. They showed me what it means to live honorably and what it means to do the right thing. I use this in my practice methods because I am always honest with people and never seek to take advantage of anyone. Read more>>

Grady Williams

I can not stress the importance of parents allow some amount of oddity in their kids. When I was young I always had odd observations and a seemily eccentric sensibility. It did not matter the circumstance I either had a funny response or a completely left field way of looking at things. Read more>>

Kirin Macapugay

My parents taught me our cultural traditions from the beginning. Early photos of me as a baby show me decked out in heirloom beads, and the sound of gongs playing, the bright red of our traditional handwoven fabrics, are all ingrained in my sensory memory. Read more>>

Remy Dupree

Being the middle child you would think that I was “forgotten” or “unnoticed” I was the total opposite, because I was the busiest kid in the house. My parents( my mother and grandmother) always supported me in anything that I was involved in whether it was a dance recital , spelling bee, field day, awards ceremony etc. Read more>>

Kelly Steller Hrad

My parents were amazing – I was truly blessed. Stretch and Shirley were always there for me, encouraged me to learn things, pushed me to try new things, made sure I got to all of the extracurricular activities that I enjoyed and some that I may not have but I now know they were good for me. Read more>> 

Egypt Asé

The person that has had the most impact on my life and career, would be my mother. Throughout my life, this lady has pushed me and encouraged me to truly use the talents that God has blessed me with. She believed in me before I started to believe in myself. I’ve been molded by her tough love and strong guidance, she was always so passionate about my talents solely because she could see the potential in me, that I was not yet aware of . Read more>>

Morghan Vincent

You ask the question, “What did my parents do right?” My parents always provides me with care, attention, and unconditional love. My parents have guided me and supported me in everything that I have wanted to participate in. I have had the opportunity to attend a great school, be a dancer (tap, ballet and hip-hop), a swimmer (since 18 months), a business owner (two businesses), go on summer vacations, and spend quality family time. Read more>>

Eunice Martinez

Praying over me. I learned a young age that prayer is powerful -thanks to my parents. I grew up in a household where praying was a must before eating a meal, starting the day, ending the day and so on. The fact that my parents instilled that in me at a young age has helped me so much today in life. Read more>>

Brynndah Hicks Turnbo

My parent’s journey began in the summer of 1951 when they decided to leave Darling Mississippi in the middle of the night for a better life. Better meant no longer working in the fields and watching the school bus pass them to pick up children while they picked cotton. The choice to leave put them in danger but it was a risk they were willing to take. Read more>> 

JANET HAMILTON

My parents did a LOT of things right! They set the stage for me by nurturing my curiosity and creativity. My mom was funny and had a passion for music and exposed me to many different genres and gave me the gift of singing. My dad took me under his wing when I was very young and taught me all about how to fix cars and build things and sail boats. Read more>>

Tulsi Chaturvedi

First of all I am honored that I got this opportunity to be a part of your publication so I am Thankful for that with so much Gratitude… Second, Thank you for asking such a great question because we all know that God can’t be present everywhere so He made Parents. The importance of Parents stems from the fact that they are the ones who show genuine love. In many people’s success, the role of parents is the key. You can even notice many world leaders and philosophers describing the role of their parents in their life. Read more>> 

Dina Laura

For starters, they had me, ha! Seriously, I’m so grateful they brought me into this world. I feel equally grateful that my parents were both teachers, because I learned the value of education from day one. And not just in a formal school setting. Learning can occur anywhere—even while standing on line at the supermarket, because believe me, that has happened to me! Read more>>

Sandi Calistro

My parents saw my interest in art at a very early age, I’d say about 4 or 5. My father would bring home large rolls of paper and roll them out onto the floor for my brother and I to scribble on. I don’t remember ever setting my sights on anything outside of the art world, beyond that point. I was transfixed. My parents continued to nurture my love of the arts throughout my childhood. Read more>>

Alexa Bailey, LMSW

I always believed I could do anything. From a young age, I had this vivacious determination that I could move mountains if only I tried and that if I fell in the process, I could always get back up. This resolve and this confidence was built through tiny moments of assurance and the magic of parents who tried their best. In the therapy world, parenting and attachment can be a tricky subject and I consider it a rare gift that I experienced a few of these positive moments for myself. Read more>>

Kirsten Latimer

My parents are incredibly patient people – though they probably won’t admit it. They instilled three big things that have impacted my life and career: 1. Love of learning 2. Deep appreciation of nature 3. Learning to fail forward I remember admiring my father’s extensive office library and my mother’s collection of beautifully illustrated children’s books. Read more>>

Darius Notman

I am truly fortunate to be a product of the extraordinary direction, discipline, and guidance I received growing up with both of my parents, in the household. Their insight and the life principles they taught me have become invaluable in steering me to make the best choices as I travel down my own life’s journey. Read more>>