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.

Zena Gilbert

My parents didn’t just teach me about hard work—they lived it.
My mom was the definition of resourcefulness. While working part-time as a home carer, she juggled several different side hustles—ironing for neighbors, making custom curtains, flipping discounted branded goods online—all while keeping our home running. My dad, who never got a degree, worked his way up the corporate career ladder and always made sure there was money set aside for holidays and retirement. It showed me that that financial security also comes from discipline, not just income. Read more>>

Paige Gullickson

When I reflect on what my mom did right, I realize how profoundly her little every day actions shaped my life and career. My path to being a fulltime photographer began when I was six years old. My mom, a single parent to my sister, Chloe and I, bought me my first film camera at Costco because I loved photography. (I cannot remember a time in my life where I wanted a different career.) Read more>>

Nichaele Watson

I was a quite outgoing and polite child and struggled greatly with one thing: people constantly mispronouncing my name. Every day, adults would call me “Nichale” or “Nichayl,” and while I didn’t want to upset anyone by correcting them multiple times, it bothered me.

One day, after my mom overheard the janitor, Mr. Davis, call out “Hi, Nichale!” She decided to speak up for me. She walked over and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Davis, her name is Nichaele, not Nichale. It’s like Michelle but with an N” Mr. Davis immediately apologized and promised to remember my name. Read more>>

Tara Fjetland

My parents were always loving, caring, real, and communicative. They talked about everything and anything with us and that has helped me so much in my job. I love being relatable and sharing real life content, and I also work as a communications consultant as well as a content creator/influencer. My parents were so open and I always felt they were a safe space where I could be myself and they taught me how to be kind and that it’s okay to be myself. Read more>>

Katie Swearingen

My parents taught me to always give 110% at everything I do, in all aspects of life. I was taught that you should work hard for what you want, appreciate it, and take care of it. I had my first job at 15, sweeping hair in a salon. We split the cost of my first car from the money I had saved from the salon. I continued to work through high school and college whenever time would allow for gas money and “spending money”. During nursing school, my schedule wasn’t flexible enough to have a “real” job so I would pressure wash driveways and homes to make extra money. From those life lessons, I have dug deep and really applied myself to my schooling, my career, and life at home. I try to install those same ideas into my little girls. Read More>>

Julia Brunner

With each passing year, I grow more grateful for my parents and the unwavering love and support they have shown me throughout my life. They got many things right—teaching me the importance of kindness, responsibility, and treating others with respect. However, when it comes to my entrepreneurial journey, my dad has been my greatest teacher. Through his own path as an entrepreneur, he showed me that bringing a heart-centered vision to life requires discipline and consistency. Read more>>

Rose Zhang

Among probably thousands of things my parents have done right throughout raising me, alongside mistakes, one thing they did right was to instill an appreciation for creativity in my life. I grew up in Beijing, with a Chinese dad and a Korean mom. Needless to say, I grew up rather in a more progressive family than my peers because we were a rare multicultural family. On top of that, my dad is a pastor, so my family didn’t grow up affluent. I remember very early on, I was maybe four or five and I already understood I cannot pester my parents or nag them in the supermarket like other kids do for my favorite snack. Yet, this never stopped them from supporting my creativity to grow. From early on, they provided me with plenty of outlets from craft supplies, crayons, paints, and origami papers despite their meager income. Read more>>

Brianne Lesman

My mom has always encouraged me to follow my passion, every step of the way she has given me confidence in my art and helped me find avenues to sell my artwork or get inspired. From my first art show in high school where she secretly bought one of my paintings, I was so proud to sell an item, to current day where she shows up at almost everyone of my shows to lend her support. I would have never of thought it was possible to make art a career if it weren’t for her building me up! Read more>>

Valentina Fory

At the beginning of my ballet journey. I had to repeat 4 grade to start my formation in ballet. I didn’t want to do that and my mom made me repeat 4 grade and I was so upset because I was thinking that my old classmates were going to finish school first. Then 2 months later when I started studying ballet in the new school, I told my mom, Thank you for forcing me to enter this school, I love ballet. Read more>>

Ethony Dawn

My parents gave me the freedom to explore my creativity from a young age. They encouraged me to try a wide range of hobbies, sports, and activities, which helped me build confidence, discover my interests, and learn through experience what wasn’t for me. They never pressured me into a particular career path or imposed rigid expectations. Read more>>

Camelia Iturregui Fuertes

Believing in yourself is one thing, but having a tribe of people who believe in you is truly special. My vibrant tribe includes awesome siblings, loving grandparents, loyal friends, and an incredible mix of cousins, aunts, uncles, colleagues, former teachers, etc. However, the leaders of my tribe (or #1 fans, as they would say) are my extraordinary parents. Read more>>

Stephanie Fleitas

My mom has always been a provider. Her love language wasn’t emotional expression or deep conversations; it was showing up, making sure I had what I needed, and supporting me in the best way she knew how. For a long time, I focused on what was missing; our struggles with communication, the emotional depth I longed for but didn’t receive in the way I needed. But now, looking back, I can see what was always there: Read more>>

Missnatasha Connects

My parents were visionaries in their own right, carving out a life that blended resilience, tradition, and an unshakable sense of pride. They got so many things right—especially when it came to exposing us to the world beyond city streets. While other families sought comfort in familiar places, my mother and father packed up the car, loaded the boat, and took us north, deep into the heart of nature. Camping wasn’t just a trip; it was a lesson in respect—for the land, for ourselves, and for the unseen forces that had shaped our ancestors’ survival. We learned how to listen to the wind through the trees, how to honor the spaces we occupied, and how to exist in a world that didn’t often expect to see Black faces in those places. Read more>>

Hazel Montserrat Gutierrez

A few years ago, I came across this African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.” This concept reminded me that my sense of self is shaped by the relationships I’ve built with others. It’s the reminder that I exist because my ancestors exist. Read more>>

Walter Stevenson

In my early stages, my mom always taught me about money. I can remember her showing me how to count money and how to pay bills. We would go to the bank together and I’d watch her sign documents and things like that. I’ve known our Bank Teller since I was about 7 or 8 years old. I’m 29 now. My mother graduated in Business and Finance and I followed in those footsteps while also learning Financial Literacy from today’s perspective. My mom is 67 so she didn’t get into things like trading stocks all of the apps and things weren’t available in those days. Read more>>

Nelda Frater

My parents were exceptional people. They raised 10 children and nurtured everyone of us. Their formula was quite simple. We were told: “(1) You must go to church and love God and (2) You must go to school and learn your lessons well”. They insisted that this was the way to become successful in life. Read more>>

Tom Provost

My parents were remarkable examples of a giving spirit. Everything they had was available for anyone who had a need. My father started with nothing, built a very successful law career and made a very good living, yet when he died unexpectedly at age 54, there was very little money left as he and my mom gave whatever they had to those in need rather than save. We always had people staying in our guest room or on the couch; if someone needed a place to stay, for a few nights or a few months, the door was open. They also constantly fed anyone who needed a meal. Someone other than our immediate family was always around the dinner table. Read more>>

Lexi Shroll

From an early age, it was very clear to everyone around me that I loved to sing. Whether it be belting in church choir, singing along to the radio, or putting on a performance for my parents in the living room. I was always singing.

My mom heard about this thing called vocal lessons from a family friend and she stuck me in them in elementary school. From then on, I had been in voice lessons all the way through college. Read more>>

Whitney Ray

One of the biggest things my parents did right was leading by example. Growing up, I watched them navigate the world as entrepreneurs, and that shaped me in so many ways. They showed me the value of structure, the power of organization, and the importance of independence. I saw firsthand that success isn’t just about talent – it’s about discipline, consistency, and having a clear vision. They didn’t just tell me to work hard; they modeled it every single day. Their journey taught me how to take initiative, adapt, and create opportunities rather than wait for them. Because of them, I embraced the mindset that I could build something of my own, and that’s exactly what I’ve done. Read more>>

Dj Lee

Since i was age 7, My parents travelled in full time music ministry singing at churches for their sole living. They did it full time for over 30 years and i grew up home-schooling and traveling with them. I watched the way my parents performed, (my dad sang and my mom played the piano). I watched the way they did business and how they never placed making money more important than taking time and performing whenever it was necessary. I’ve watched them perform at nursing homes and in people hospital rooms. I’ve also watched them perform in some of the biggest churches in the U.S. i watched the way they prioritized people and were willing to love everyone they’ve come in contact with. Read more>>

Joe Schaefer

They worked together. When it came to our families and work (which are one in the same for many family owned and operated businesses), they stuck together and figured it out no matter what. Witnessing our greatest influencers come back together time and time again not only gave us a realistic preview of the high-highs and low-lows that may come our way but it also instilled perseverance within us both. Words cannot express how grateful we are for that example — not everyone has the privilege. Read more>>

Shanice Arogundade

The most important thing my parents did for me was sending me to school, embodying the Jamaican belief that education is the key to success. But beyond that, they taught me invaluable life skills—things like resilience, creativity, and how to handle everyday challenges. Those lessons have shaped who I am and how I approach life. One of my favorite memories is baking with my dad. This experience has taught me that success often comes through trial and error. Sometimes the cakes would be perfect, and other times they wouldn’t—but that was okay. Those moments shaped my creativity. I learned to appreciate the process, adapt when things go wrong, and celebrate small wins. Read more>>

Mike Bernknopf

I was fortunate to grow up in a loving and welcoming home where high character and good judgment were the foundation of how we lived. My parents instilled strong ethics and morals early on, teaching me that respect is something you give freely to every person you encounter because everyone has wants, needs, and struggles—whether you see them or not. Read more>>

Joseph Dituri

My parents were first generation Americans. We lived in Italy for the first few years of my life as my dad wrapped up work in his industry and made the preps to move back to the USA. Overall, my parents both instilled in me the drive to never stop…mom used to say…”who is the guy who told you life was fair?”. This instilled in me from day one reminded me daily that life was never going to be fair and I should work harder and faster and be better because nothing would be handed to me. That drive helped me succeed in what I do ranging from a 28 year career in active duty US Naval service to a PhD in biomedical engineering. Read more>>

Amanda Vacca

In reflecting on what my parents did right, I am filled with immense gratitude for the foundation they laid for me, both as an individual and as a psychotherapist specializing in trauma and addiction. As a first-generation American, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering perseverance and love that my parents embodied in their pursuit of the American dream. Read more>>

Twa’lea Jordan

My parents did so many things right, but one of the greatest things they did was put tools in my hands that fueled my curiosity and nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit. When I was young, they bought me a little mobile blue V-Tech computer that looked like a typewriter, and I took it everywhere. I would pretend I was processing customers, managing my own business, and running the world—before I even knew what that meant. That small tool was more than a toy; it was an early lesson in possibility, showing me that I could create, lead, and build something of my own. I would also take that computer along with school supplies, and pretend I was a teacher teaching the kids in the neighborhood. Read more>>

Alexandria Whitner

Both of my parents instilled in me the value of a strong work ethic. My grandma—Ma Ma, as we call her—was a teacher, and my mom followed in her footsteps, bringing her passion for shaping the next generation into the classroom every day. My dad worked for the City of Cleveland, always carrying his belief that you should give back to the city that made you who you are. Read more>>

Kirsten Agresta Copely

From the very beginning, my mother was my greatest champion. At just 18 months old, she sat me on her lap and introduced me to the piano, which shaped my early life in immeasurable ways. When I fell in love with the harp at age five, she found ways to turn every opportunity into a stepping stone. One of my earliest standout moments was appearing on NBC’s Junior Hall of Fame. Years later, in a full-circle moment, the show’s host, Erik Smith, revisited my journey in a Then & Now segment when I won the Bronze Medal at the first-ever USA International Harp Competition. Read more>>

Vitalii Pleshkov

My mom always supports me. If I wanted something to try she always let me do it. I remember when I was a child I wanted to take ballet classes and my mom never said to me that it was not for boys. I spent at ballet school five years and my parents never missed my dancing performances. Read more>>

Katie Jackson

Both my parents are creatives. My mother is a writer (and a therapist, which probably explains a lot about me) and my father owned his own golf stores for 30 years but was the artist behind many of the kid’s school projects. On top of that, they are both story tellers. While my dad is known for taking over a party and having the most outrageous stories to tell, my mother also knows the power of words and has always instilled that to me. Read more>>

Marina Shkolnik

My parents let me go to college for Fine Art Photography when most immigrant parents wanted their kids to be doctors, lawyers, or computer specialists. Read more>>

Morgan Brown

My parents are some of the most supportive people in my life. They are open, honest ,understanding and compassionate. While also instilling discipline, confidence, and a strong yet efficient work ethic.

They allowed for open communication to express my feelings, thoughts, and opinions. They allowed me to explore different passions at my own choosing instead of forcing me to play a certain sports or instruments; for example I did karate, played viola, sold paintings, and more. Read more>>

Paola Cárdenas

My parents raised independent people while maintaining cultural identity in a healthy way. They are from Mexico and my brothers and I were born and raised in the USA. While at times it seemed tough to hear my mom say “you should just do it on your own, you shouldn’t depend on anyone” when I talked to her about wanting to partner with friends to do projects, I now appreciate what she was trying to instill in me. Sure it felt like being alone in all of it at the time, but now it makes all the sense and I get it. Being independent and walking your own path AND being Mexican may seem like a dichotomy, especially when so much of the culture is to put family first, and always stick together no matter what. Family is a beautiful thing, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of ones own life story and what we’re meant to create. I haven’t lived at home since I was 17 and I now live in Germany. Read more>>

Myah Werkmeister

As much as she won’t admit it, my mom is a Creative. She is continually amazing me with her “make something out of nothing” magic. Over the 28 years of watching her head spin with ideas, I realize more and more what a natural maker she is. When it came to making a piece of equipment to support my sister’s physical disability, or a table from old barnwood that someone was planning to burn, she set an example of “if its not working the way you want it to: built it, re-make it, adjust it or make a new plan.” Read more>>

Dom

I feel my parents did everything they could and it paid off because I turned out great . My parents very early on in life were drug addicts, my mother made a huge decision to move our lives from Chicago to Minnesota in 96. It was the best thing she could have done. My mother quickly snd proactively went to rehab n got better. My father followed after. I want to say that despite their addiction, my parents were the best parents. Unfortunately I did lose my dad in 2018 to an overdose:( I loved him still. My mom just passed last April 2024. Losing them both has been a tough journey but I push forward because of them. Read more>>