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.

Peyton Singleton

My parents are my super heroes. They have never failed to tell me all the tricks and ropes around the challenges i’ve faced. They have always provided me with everything resource and knowledge to make it further than average. As a parent, I think it’s best when you are honest with your kid to prepare them for the real world. Read More>>

Victoria Roman

My parents raised me with a lot of intention and care, and I truly believe childhood is one of the most important stages in a person’s life because it shapes who you become and how you approach your future. A lot of who I am today comes from them. Read More>>

Adel Osberry

My parents were never afraid of hard work, and I didn’t fully understand the weight of that until I became an adult. Both of my parents are from the Philippines, and when they came to the States, they did whatever they had to do to build the life we had growing up. Read More>>

Robert Werkmeister

Growing up Catholic in a small rural town in Northeast Arkansas that was home to one of the largest Church of Christ colleges in the US, there was a rule growing up that served my family well, and that I think my parents got right – There are three things you don’t discuss with people unless you are asked, or it is required – Religion, Politics, or Sports. Growing up in the 90s in the roaring Americana mixed with a Clinton presidency, this helped me learn to value the people first, what truly made them themselves, rather than the things that have all but divided so many people in today’s world. Read More>>

Zoe Chin loy

My parents have been entrepreneurs my whole life! My father owned a record store in Kingston Jamaica and was one of the pioneers in reggae music and my mom supported and worked with him. My dad hasn’t work for anyone since he was 16 and he is now over 70. Read More>>

Michelle Morgenstern

Growing up, my parents made travel a big part of our lives. My sister and I were fortunate to take family trips almost every spring break and summer, visiting places like Bermuda, Hawaii, several national parks, and even traveling abroad to England and Scotland when I was in seventh grade. Those experiences played a huge role in sparking my interest in photography. Read More>>

Melissa Pacheco

The founders of Borikén Bites attribute much of their professional success to the foundational lessons instilled by their parents—lessons they’ve woven directly into the fabric of their business. Thalia’s mother, a seasoned vendor, taught her the essential arts of cooking and selling, showing her how to turn creativity into a thriving hustle. Read More>> 

Luis Jairala

One thing my parents did exceptionally well was create a balance between support, discipline, and example. They believed in me, but they also expected me to work hard, stay grounded, and take responsibility for my choices. That combination has had a huge impact on both my personal life and my career. Read More>>

HJ Kennedy

Several things honestly that have shaped who I am and how I show up. One. They were committed to each other, even in the hard times. Their marriage came first and served as a foundation for our family. No matter what went wrong (and there was plenty) we knew family was to be counted on. Two. We were disciplined and well rounded. Read More>>

MARCIA ALVAREZ

I often say that education is part of my DNA. I come from a family of educators that goes back to my great grandparents, and that legacy shaped the way I understand learning, service, and community. Growing up with that history made education feel less like a career choice and more like a natural path, something I was meant to continue. Read More>>

Emma Fritz

Since I was a child, both of my parents were business owners and entrepreneurs. I grew up watching them build their business, at first together, and then separately. I saw the struggles, the financial insecurities at times, the insecurities, and also the successes and continuing education and growth that they both sought out. Read More>>

Jayde Graham

One thing my parents did right was allowing me the freedom to truly explore who I wanted to become while always supporting me along the way. I think sometimes parents unintentionally try to live through their kids and push them toward the things they once loved themselves. My parents never did that to me. Read More>>

Corinne James

My parents raised me to be responsible and independent early in life. At 17, I was expected to take ownership of one of the household bills and pay it myself. I chose the water bill because it was the least expensive at the time. Looking back, those experiences taught me accountability and helped shape the responsible adult I am today. Read More>>

Dr. Courtney Beck

My father’s influence has profoundly shaped my life, guiding how I approach my goals, values, and the person I strive to become. Through his example, he instilled in me a foundation built on discipline, humility, self-respect, and a deep commitment to giving my best effort in everything I pursue. Read More>>

Liz Alterman

My earliest memories include my mom reading to me in the afternoons. She and my dad were both avid readers and seeing them take time to enjoy books, newspapers, and magazines turned me into a lifelong reader and writer. The library was—and still is—a favorite destination. Read More>>

Madison Nehme

My parents did a lot of things right but the biggest thing they did for me was introducing me to Christ. As a kid going to church, Sundays were quite annoying. I dreaded getting drenched in Vaseline every morning and learning to iron my clothes. Read More>>

Samantha Wonkovich

Growing up, I spent most of my time in my dad’s care. My dad, Jay, is a person in recovery, and even though I didn’t realize it at the time, he was laying the foundation of 12-step principles in my life from a really young age. Read More>>

Olympia Papageorgiou

Oh my…. there are many things to point to I believe. My parents had (and still have) a really beautiful balance between offering guidance and instilling confidence. I do not believe I would have been able to pursue both my education and musical journey if it was not for their support. Read More>>

Richard Shelton

My parents have always instilled in us the value of education. In our house it was never a question of If we were going to college it was always which one would we attend. My brother and I always had good grades growing up so they didn’t have to push us too much, but there were always expectations. Read More>>

Treia Wilson

⸻ Growing up, it would have been easy to define my story by circumstance. My mother had me young. We weren’t raised in a major city filled with endless opportunity. On paper, the narrative could have leaned toward limitation. But that’s not the story my parents allowed me to inherit. Read More>>