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.

Trenton Leo

I attribute all of my success to the work of my parents who put me on the right path since I was a child. They constantly encouraged me to strive to be excellent in every aspect of life. Read more>>

Jennifer Lang

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 70s and 80s, we spent many wintery weekends skiing and summers hiking and horseback riding in Lake Tahoe. Read more>>

Speech

My parents did a lot right. 1.) We had Sunday dinners where my dad taught my brothers and I how to be analytic. To think about things through deeply. And to be solution oriented. Read more>>

Jenny Hahn

I grew up in a suburban neighborhood in the 80’s when kids roamed the streets on bicycles and kept roly-poly bugs as pets. Yes, I loved my MTV and Nintendo games, but I also loved to explore. Read more>>

Hiroshi Sosa-Nakata

I’m lucky to have parents who celebrate the many ways that I’m unique. My mother is Japanese and my father is Mexican. Both being immigrants to this country, they have struggled in their own ways and have worked hard to ensure I’m proud of all aspects of my culture. Read more>>

Toni Schulze

I am so happy that the first part of this is taking about my mom. My father died active duty military when I was just a few months old, so my mother raised me all on her own. Read more>>

Ashley Greer

I think raising me in church is the best thing they could have done. Teaching me core values of just being a good person, loving on others and just always always be kind. Read more>>

Sugar Sungkamee

My dad laid down an invaluable foundation for my life and career, particularly through his role as the Chef / Coowner of Jitlada Thai Restaurant since 2006. Read more>>

Terry Fierro

Without a burning professional desire I was eager to start working and making money upon graduation from high school. With an Associate’s Degree I flitted from job to job in Manhattan never lasting in one position for more than a year. Read more>>

Magi Trofi

They’ve done a lot right by me! While they aren’t artists themselves, my parents have always been my biggest champions. They fostered my love for art since I was little, even when it meant grabbing me extra art supplies for projects. Read more>>

Wendi Bergin

Not just my parents but also my grandparents. Being prepared seems to be ingrained in my family’s DNA. Back in 1938, when the leader of my grandparents’ church urged everyone to stock up two years’ worth of supplies, they took it seriously. Read more>>

Sarah Young

My dad is a business owner and my mother helped him heavily to get things off the ground in the early days. They both instilled a strong work ethic and the value of independence early on. Read more>>

Christopher Cook

I know it sounds cliche but they told me to keep going. My dad was the first to really honestly push me to follow my dreams. He supported me when I tried my hand at YouTube and making music. Read more>>

Jacqueline “Shay” Hattaway

She left him – my mom left my father, who was an alcoholic and drug addict. For many years my mom put up with the problems because she thought she was doing the right thing and was worried she couldn’t survive on her own. Read more>>

Sonsira Yindriska Espinal

My parents, celebrating 35 years of marriage, share a remarkable bond shaped by their shared pasts. At tender ages, my mother lost both her parents at 13, while my father embarked on a search for his own father at 14. Read more>>

Amanda Clark

My parents let me fail. It’s a simple yet profound lesson that has shaped my life and career. Growing up in a modest household, my father, an artist and carpenter, was our sole provider until I turned eight. Read more>>

Gladys

Thank you for this question. I am humbled to express with gratitude of what they did. I hope it encourages the reader. My grandfather developed a motto which was: “together we can”, and my parents continued it as a family legacy. Read more>>

Barbara Lamblin

My parents came from humble beginnings in Philadelphia, but they possessed the intense desire for their children to be well educated and do better than they did. Read more>>

Ashley Anecki

What my parents did right, would be that they successfully co-parented me and my older siblings with love, respect and open-mindedness. Society calls a family of divorce a ‘broken’ family but that’s not my story. Read more>>

Cherelle Ward

My parents, Pastor Clarence Lee Jackson Sr. & My mother Ms. Phyllis P. Jackson, raised myself along with my 4 sisters. My parents were strong in their faith and made sure to raise us up in a Christian home. Read more>>

Dr. Shree Cooper-Franks

My parents have made an significant imprint on my life. My mother is the strongest person I know. She raised all 3 of her biological kids, an adopted sister and a host of cousins that were raised with me in our home. Read more>>

Haley Petrovich

I watched my parents brave entrepreneurship my whole life, there were times when I watched them, climb, skyhigh and succeed greatly. Read more>>

Chimele George

My parents raised me in what I feel is the most uniquely great places in the country. I was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland where the middle class still exists; it’s very diverse; there is a great educational system; and all walks of life are nearby. Read more>>

Ian Asbury

Teach my ass to be humble! This world is very large, a lot of people doing a lot of cool stuff. Don’t think you’re too cool, do as much as you can to be the most helpful to as many people as people. Read more>>

Ken West

My parents. My parents. Two words when it comes to them. GRATEFUL and BLESSED. My mom is truly an amazing woman. Not only did she raise me and my brother with love, care, and dedication, but she also found time to help others in need. Read more>>

Maryia Walker

That’s a great question! My parents taught me a lot that dreams always come true and creativity is a huge power! My dad used to sew clothing, he did furniture with his own hands and was doing a lot of purses with his hands too. Read more>>

La Kia A. Gooch

My parents did a spectacular job of allowing and encouraging me to be authentically me. They genuinely nurtured and supported my academic, as well as artistic interests. Read more>>

Stephen C Stephens

Ironically my mom asked me recently, what did she do that was right and what did she do wrong as a parent. I told her that I would have to get back to her on the “wrong” part because at that moment I could not think of anything. Read more>>

Lizette Castro

Both my parents were growing up during the Civil War in El Salvador, with separate experiences but the common theme that was implemented in their lives at a very young age was survival. Read more>>

Wileidys Artigas

I think that the influence of my parents is undeniable from two perspectives, my mother (who died last year) taught me the discipline and responsibility that means to create and grow a business, Read more>>

Pam Ray

My mom supported my sister’s and my dance journey from the very beginning, every step of the way, in every way that she could. Read more>>

Abby Schreiber

Embracing creativity was a key tenant of my upbringing. My dad is a musician, and my mom is an upcycler…though you wouldn’t know that right off the bat! Read more>>

Meghan Bramlett

Growing up, my parents instilled in me what some might call an “old-fashioned” work ethic. They believed in putting in the effort, giving your best in everything you do. Read more>>

 Julie Labanz

Everyone always asks, “How did you decide to become a sex therapist?” My parents played a very critical role in getting me to where I am today. Read more>>

Jasmin McGee

From an early age, my mother was integral in teaching a very important lesson that I’ve carried through my whole life. And this lesson is to hold deep compassion and care for others whilst being in service to others. Read more>>