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.

Aurora Lucia-levey

The biggest gift my parents gave me, which has allowed me to become the artist I am (as well as the person I am) was the curiosity and freedom to create my own life. They never set out a specific path for my future, and they exposed me to all kinds of art, from the creative process to the finished product. My parents encouraged creativity in all areas – creative thinking, creative problem solving, and creative inquiry. When I was born in 1981, my parents were living in a multi-use loft in Boston with my artist godfather AlFord (who was also a Karate teacher, a taxi driver, and my fathers mentor.) In my first 3 years, before we moved into a proper apartment, I was regularly in the presence of musicians and artists and those that enjoyed their work, via the DIY events that were scheduled weekly. The place was called ‘Gallery East,’ and in 1982 the Boston Globe called it “a focal point for some of the most unconventional experimentalists on the local avant garde scene.” Read more>>

Cecile Charlotin

Growing up as a first-generation American with Haitian immigrant parents, I was inspired by their resilience and drive to succeed. My mother who is a physician had a balanced a demanding career while still making time to instill in me the values of hard work and perseverance. Watching her dedication to her patients and her family taught me the importance of passion and commitment. My dad started in this country as a cab driver in NYC and created a career and life for himself after moving to Florida.Together, they showed me that thriving against the odds is possible with focus and determination. Their journey continues to inspire my creativity and ambition every day. Read more>>

Drew Verdé

They did right by doin wrong which in return made me choose the opposite of what they did knowing that wasn’t what I wanted to do. Being around drugs, alcohol, prostitution, violence and being poor gave me great insight on exactly what I didn’t want in my future. I never wanted to “experiment” with drugs because I seen the results of so many people who once “experimented” and lost their lives to drugs. Whether it was an overdose or suicide, drugs were the root of the problem. Having to be alert in my own home to possibly save me or my brothers caused me to pay attention to everyone there. Their choice of words, their reactions to one another. It made me interested in psychology, which helps with my music because I understand how to articulate things on a record to relate to others. Read more>>

Davis Yasuda

Where do I begin, sometimes I question how did I get so lucky to be born by two amazing parents. I believe its every parents job to instill belief, support, love, character, moral etc…. my parents Dave and Teri gave me all of those from an early age. They allowed me to fail and learn from my mistakes they taught me that being different and trying things is ok. To this day both my parents are my biggest inspirations and as I grow older. I do not care to impress other people, I just want to make my parents proud. Read more>>

Briana Boyd

My mother is the strongest person I know—not one of the strongest, but the strongest. My father passed away suddenly a month after my first birthday, a traumatic and defining moment for both me and my mother. Amid her grief, she moved back to Brooklyn, NY, and enrolled in law school, eventually becoming an attorney. She has been in private practice for most of my life. Despite the challenges she faced, my mother has always prioritized my protection, and I’m deeply grateful for that. Even during periods when she was less available—while navigating the demands of law school and preparing for the bar exam—she ensured I was cared for by my grandmother, who watched over me with immense love. Read more>>

Summereun Lee

My parents have always been my greatest inspirations, motivators, and biggest fans. Though my father passed away in 2019, his legacy continues to shape me. Growing up in Korea, I often heard how fortunate I was to have parents who were admired and respected by many, from our community. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I was naturally inspired to pursue my own entrepreneurial dreams. As a child, I was separated from my biological family at a young age, which created a sense of distance. However, as I grew older, I realized they sent me away not out of rejection, but out of love… To give me the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience other cultures. While I’ve always tried to see challenges as opportunities to learn, I do carry one regret: not being more open and connected with my father before his passing. Read more>>

Amanda Stone

When I was a kid, my parents owned and operated two roadside motels. I remember regularly sitting at the dinner table talking with my dad about vacancy rates and the impact of highway road construction. By being engaged and in-tune with their business, I learned the array of skills and tasks that entrepreneurs and small business owners must balance in order to establish, sustain, and grow. While observing and absorbing their business experiences and wisdom established a foundation of knowledge for my own entrepreneurial journey, their unique balance of pushing me and supporting me was even more impactful. My dad always pushed me to be curious and to turn each “no” into a “how.” He asked me questions about anything and everything – from the strategy behind stoplight timing to more philosophical wonderings – in a way that made me felt seen, heard, and free to explore new ideas. Read more>>

Ruby Dolce

In short, my parents did everything they could—and continue to do everything they can—to help shape me into the person I am today. While no parent receives a handbook when bringing home their child, I can speak from experience when I say that my parents truly did their very best. The values they instilled in me are evident in the way I approach my work, as well as in the care and dedication I bring to every client relationship. Growing up, my dad worked a demanding job that required long hours and frequent travel. After we were born, my mom made the decision to leave her career behind to become a stay-at-home mom. With my brothers and me being close in age, I can only imagine how challenging it must have been to juggle everything, especially in those days. Yet, despite the demands, we traveled with our dad on every possible trip, shared countless meals together, and, most importantly, learned the invaluable lesson of family togetherness. Read more>>

Christine Vallieres

I grew up in a very conservative Christian household. For some reason I think that culture can go hand in hand with the belief that practical life choices are the best life choices. There can be less appreciation for the arts but my parents were the opposite. Art and music of all genres were very much celebrated in my household and my parents only encouraged me to pursue art. They never pressured me to choose a more “practical” profession , they only told me to do what I love to the best of my ability and always be open to learning. Read more>>

Betty Ko

As a child of immigrant parents, I grew up watching both my parents work incredibly hard to build a life for us – they faced a lot of personal and financial hardships (though to their credit I never really felt it as a kid) . Throughout the years I saw them try their hand at different jobs & businesses with varying degrees of success. At one point during my elementary school years they had a custom watch making business. I remember sitting at a desk with my dad, sticking on the custom watch face we had printed on a massive, professional-grade laser printer sitting in our living room – then using a pair of little tweezers to attach the watch hands. I mean don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a daily occurrence, I did not have a full time job at 9 years old as a watchmaker, I just helped out here and there. Read more>>

Rosa Chang-crespo

My parents have always done (and continue to do) anything and everything possible for my happiness and success, in every aspect of my life. They have always been by my side and are my number one supporters, both personally and in my career. Growing up, my parents made sure I always had access to art supplies, as I’ve been interested in art since I was a child. They even enrolled me in a private art school at a young age, and that experience would go on to shape my views on creativity and freedom as an artist. I was obsessed with painting as a baby, and my parents always made sure to encourage and support my interests in every way. There was never any pressure to follow a “traditional” path. Read more>>

Deborah “jaishree” Dow-spielman

We all have a seed potential for bliss. We all have to learn how to be radically honest. What my parents did right was to hold me in their loving gaze and bring me food to all my events. They helped me master the art of being messy. They paid for therapy. Through healing, teaching, and eventually becoming a parent myself, I understand the layers of healing generational trauma. Here’s how I saw it played out. My Mom, a gorgeous and highly educated woman, clearly sacrificed. She didn’t buy high fashion, opened the door to all friends, answered every phone call, and only grew her hair long in retirement. My Dad worked every day but never on weekends. He was soft-hearted and hard-headed. He rubbed my back and came to every show– including my downward spirals. Read more>>

Te’igo Mcgilmer

I can honestly Say That by my parents being business owners and my mother being a human resource Director and President I learned finance at an early age. My mother taught me to always be respectful and give things a chance to grow to develop. My mother always installed in me to always water myself so “I” Myself can be of Help so one thing that I can always say that they did right was teaching me about respect and to Water Myself. Read more>>

 Joyce Liu

I’ve always loved to draw ever since I was a kid. But growing up in Taiwan, there was always this pressure from the adults around me, telling me that by pursuing a career in the arts, I would end up starving on the streets. But my mom, she was different. She was always there, encouraging me, even when no one else believed in me. Against all odds, she somehow managed to put me through design school on her own, reminding me to always follow my heart, no matter what others say. Read more>>

Abigail Burnett

Usually when I tell people I was homeschooled from through high school, they are surprised. People have an idea in their mind of what a “homeschooled person” is like– typically shy, introverted, awkward, or withdrawn. If you know me, you know I’m none of those things. I do know that homeschooling isn’t always good, I’ve known people who got a less solid education because their parents didn’t put the time and effort into their schooling like mine did. But for me, it certainly had a positive impact for a few reasons. Read more>>

Jan-tore Oevrevik

I am extremely grateful to my parents for all they did for me. I was in an orphanage, and they adopted me when I was two years old, providing me with the secure childhood I needed. From a young age, they taught me the value of helping and providing for our family. I remember harvesting wild berries in the forest to make jam, picking potatoes and vegetables at local farms, and doing chores like lawn mowing, snow plowing, and cleaning my room to earn some pocket money. We always spent quality time together as a family. Every meal was shared, and we would talk about our day and support each other. My parents instilled in me essential values such as honesty, hard work, and a commitment to doing my best. Their saying, “A man is known by the company he keeps,” has stayed with me throughout my life. It serves as a reminder whenever I feel that my behavior or thoughts are heading in the wrong direction, particularly when influenced by others. Read more>>

Irene Kadir

The right thing my parents did was “disagree” with me when I wanted to pursue my career outside of my comfort zone. My parents are very hardworking people. He is a creative person but also disciplined when it comes to time and work. One lesson he has always taught me: “Trust is expensive. Once you break it, you lose it all. So, you must protect it when you have it.” My mom helps my dad run the business. She taught me that being independent is important—not because you should do everything by yourself, but because you need to stand on your own two feet. Read more>>

Semere Araya

Being a child of immigrants, there’s contention growing up between the culture you’re immersed in at home and the culture you’re immersed in at school/outside of the house. That contention readily turns into disconnection. As I’ve aged and gone through therapy on and off for the last 8 years, I’ve come to understand there are valuable traits that I’ve inherited from my parents. My mom’s life teaches me the importance of faith. Some of my fondest memories of her are when as a child I’d lay my head in her lap while she sang church hymns. That seed of faith has grown into my own fruitful relationship with God (serving at my church, volunteering, etc.). If my mom teaches me faith, my dad is the definition of works. His life is an unwavering commitment to providing for the material needs of his family. I’ve seen him work 60+ hours a week for most of my life. Even in his older age, he continues to work these hours to support his family here and abroad. That seed of works is a model of inspiration as I continue on my professional and academic journey through grad school. Read more>>

Samantha Bailey

My parents have always been my siblings’ and my greatest supporters. Regardless of our aspirations, they consistently encouraged us and offered assistance in any way possible. They diligently documented our childhood—whether it was my father recording home videos or my mother snapping countless photos of our everyday activities. From an early age, I recognized the significance of capturing memories with loved ones. I vividly recall my mother giving me a disposable camera for a first-grade field trip. The excitement of choosing which 24 moments to immortalize in the museum with my friends left a lasting impression on me. Even now, I experience that same thrill when deciding how to capture special moments. Read more>>

Lesley Shiver

I grew up in a tiny town in Southeast Alabama and graduated from the same school I’d attended from Kindergarten through 12th grade. With a grand total of 35 kids in my graduating class! I had a rough time in school. I got bullied a lot, didn’t have many friends, and my family was poor. To be fair, I was a pretty weird kid, and had zero desire to “fit in,” even if it would’ve made things easier at the time. When not having many friends and clashing with peers would inevitably get under my skin, my mom always reminded me to think more about my future. To remember that I wouldn’t always be around those kids, that there’d be a time when I could leave and do my own thing and make friends with people who got me. That I wasn’t stuck, and that sometimes things take time but it’s worth it when you get to branch out. She’d moved away from home as a young adult and I saw how she was able to make a different life for herself. Seeing her be bold and boisterous let me feel like maybe there was a chance I’d be able to do the same one day. And I never questioned once if she believed in me. Read more>>

Katie Kraemer

My mother played a quiet but unwavering role in shaping me as an artist. From a young age, she never pushed me into any particular path but always nurtured my creativity, letting it bloom at its own pace. She saw my love for making things—whether it was art, jewelry, or other craft projects—and she fed that spark without ever trying to control it. When I hit rough patches in college, struggling with complex projects or self-doubt, it was her voice I heard in my head, calm and encouraging. She never told me exactly what to do or how to fix it, but her belief in me was the fuel I needed to keep going. Read more>>

Katherine Mcconnell

My parents encouraged me from a young age to pursue my dreams. Although my mother has a fine art degree & accounting degree, she ended up on the accounting career path to have more stability in her life. As long as I can remember she has nurtured my love for art. It was all I ever wanted to do, and so I’ve danced and taken art classes my entire life. Because my mom took the safe route with her career, she always has tried to teach me to not be afraid to reach for more. Both her and my dad always taught me to work hard and take pride in everything I do. I don’t know how I ever would have made it as far as I have without the two of them always being my number one cheerleaders. Read more>>

Adriana Guaderrama

My mom has been my greatest inspiration—a true embodiment of resilience and selflessness. Growing up in Venezuela, I watched her work tirelessly to provide for our family. She was not only a hardworking woman but also the heart of our home, constantly finding ways to support and uplift us no matter the challenges she faced. Her example taught me the values of perseverance, adaptability, and the power of showing up for others. One story that stands out is when she migrated to the United States in her 60s—a stage in life when many people begin to slow down. Instead of seeing it as an end, she embraced it as an opportunity to redefine herself. She learned a new language, built new connections, and continued to be a pillar of support for her children and anyone in her community who needed help. Her courage and unwavering commitment to others showed me that reinvention is always possible and that our purpose extends beyond ourselves. Read more>>

Shaunya Boddie

Both of my parents have always been supportive of any of my endeavors, but I can always look to my Mom being faced with a challenge where I was concerned and finding the way to turn that into a launch pad moment in my life. When I was younger I was extremely introverted and shy, to the point where I wanted no one looking at me, calling on me in a group setting or asking me to speak in front of a group. In other words, my shyness was debilitating. Read more>>

Dj Stiles

As an artist-entrepreneur, education is something I reflect on a lot—especially in the context of today’s economic realities. While I didn’t get all the lessons I needed in school, I was lucky to learn some key financial truths from my parents, especially my dad, who worked in finance and has a knack for keeping things simple. His advice? Live below your means to save more (harder than ever, I know). Keep housing costs to about a third of your income (also a challenge). Learn the basics like filing taxes, saving, investing, and understanding interest rates. Read more>>

Alexis Martinez Puleio

Both of my parents immigrated from Cuba at a young age, my father at the age of 7 and my mother at the age of 15, carrying nothing but a dream and the determination to make it a reality. They understood the essence of the American spirit—that if you have a dream and put your mind to it, you can achieve it. They instilled that belief in me from a very young age. One of the most impactful things they did was never hold me back from my aspirations. If I wanted to be an artist, I was an artist. They didn’t see dreams as too far-fetched, too small, or too silly—they simply supported them. Their unwavering belief in me became the foundation of my confidence. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders, attending every major event in my life, celebrating my wins, and encouraging me through challenges. Read more>>

Brynna Berge

Both of my parents have been incredibly creative and supportive influences throughout my life. My mother encouraged my siblings and me to embrace creativity from an early age, often joining us in crafting projects. She consistently introduced us to new crafts and allowed us to experiment with various materials, fostering an environment where creativity thrived. My father has always been exceptionally talented in the arts and possesses a unique ability to solve problems creatively. Whether the issue is art-related or not, he approaches challenges with an “outside-the-box” perspective. His innovative thinking inspired me to adopt a similar mindset and nurtured my desire to think creatively in all areas of my life. Read more>>

Joshua Tovar

The most important thing my parents did for us growing up was teach us the values of Jesus and the principles of the Bible, which formed our work ethic and developed our character. Aside from this, my parents forced me and my sisters to pick a sport, pick an instrument, and stick to it. This taught us a great deal of discipline, grit, resilience, and the willingness to give top quality effort even when there is no passion or motivation. Read more>>

Judy Morgan

My parents did many things “right”. My father dropped out of college to become a door-to-door salesman for Fuller Brushes. When my sister and I were little my mother would take us to deliver the products my father sold. My mother stayed home with us until I reached second grade, then became an elementary school teacher to help with home finances. She only had sixty college credits but obtained an emergency teaching certificate while she finished her degree. She worked days and went to school at night, finally earning her degree when I was in high school. My father never returned to college but said he had three degrees since he sent my mother, my sister, and me to college. He worked his way up through several companies to National Sales Manager, finally starting his own business at age sixty. My parents’ work ethic was impeccable. They taught me the client comes first; orders were to be sent out within 24 hours of being received. Customer service is paramount. My dad was also a saver, putting everything my mother earned into retirement accounts. While I resented money being tight at times, it taught me an invaluable lesson about the importance of saving for the future. Read more>>

John Blakley

My Parents raised me to seek out and embrace hard work, be disciplined in anything that I committed my mind to and to always give God the praise and honor in the process because, “I am what I am by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10). One of the many ways my parents showed me love, all the while enforcing that “anything worth having in life does not come easy but only out of hard work, discipline, consistency and faith in God” , was giving me opportunities that I was then and now grateful for, to name a few – Taekwondo, KUMON, basketball programs and camps, swimming, track and piano lessons. These opportunities, in their own unique way, required of me to have grit, patience, critical thinking, problem solving and great teamwork skills. Although I learned these soft skills and more in such environments, these skills are transferable and spilled over into other areas of my life, helping me to obtain my Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering, work well within corporate America and build up and sustain my YouTube podcast – JSpeaks. Read more>>

Landen Purifoy

My parents are amazing, they always made sure I was kept busy with extracurricular activities, whether it was sports, marching band, or playing keyboard at our church. I didn’t realize until starting my content creator career, but I never had a day off. Every weekday, I was at school from 7am to 7pm since we had marching band practice every weekday except Wednesday, from when school let out until 7pm. Then on those Wednesdays, I would play keyboards at our church’s evening service. Saturday was my only day to work, so I’d pick up some ours at my part time job, then get up early Sunday morning to play in the band for 3 more church services. My parents never made me feel like I had a lot on my plate, but also never pressured me to stay with the extra activities I was doing. This schedule became very normal to me. When It came time to be a content creator, I naturally became very scheduled, and started to realize that my time management skills came very quick into work. Read more>>

Jaevonn Harris

One thing my parents definitely did right is support my artistic bug at an early age. They both kept me around music which help fueled my desire to create my own. My mother gave me money for book fair in 2nd grade, which I bought a donkey Kong drawing book which taught me how to draw Then she enrolled me in art classes at Wayne state on the weekend And got me to my audition to get in DSA (Detroit school of arts). My Father kept my foundations in music solid surrounding me with classic records, teaching the basics of DJaying, song structure, and enrolled me in a painting class on weekends. Both were very instrumental as they are both creatives at heart. Thanks you guys Read more>>