So many of us parent the way our parents did – because it’s the only example we’ve had a chance to see up close. We think one of the ways to remedy this is to create a space where people can share stories of the things they feel their parents did right, so we can all learn from those examples.

Erica Adugwo

I think where my parents really excelled at parenting was in their ability to instill in me a sense of grounded faith that would then allow me to surmount some of the obstacles that life would eventually bring my way. Life on earth can sometimes be like living in the wild because without a parent’s proper guidance, a child can lose his or her way in life. One of the most challenging life lessons I had to encounter was how to face my fears. Read more>>

Lyndsay Bui

I’m fortunate to say my parents have done so many things “right.” The relationship I have with my parents has directly impacted the person I am and developed my confidence to work towards my dreams and step into my calling. Although my parents divorced when I was a toddler, they always held each other in high regard, communicated well, and made my best interest their priority; For that I am grateful. I am also grateful to have had the love and support of my step-dad from the moment he came into my life. Read more>>

Keniya Love

My parents have become one of my biggest support systems in my career. They have taught me everything and have pushed me when I felt like I wasn’t able to keep going. They are part of the reason why I started my agency. Read more>>

Pamela Grossman RN, CANS

I was compelled to answer this question because it is often that people attribute their success to things outside the day-to-day influences that occurred within the walls of their homes as children. I believe the way we grow up, whether easy to acknowledge or not, has a major impact on how we behave as grown-ups. The adults we grow up around are our first impressions of adulthood. Looking back, my parents certainly had an impact on my life and career. Read more>>

Blaise Vonbruchhaeuser

My mother always put my education first. She drove a 3 hour commute, round-trip to my school, to ensure that I received a well- rounded, exceptional, education. Now that I am a mother, I understand the sacrifices one must make to put their children in the best position. My mother exposed me to ethnically diverse communities, so I could understand people of different cultures and values. I was able to relate to the homeless man on the street, and the Ivy League trust fund kid that never had a financial worry in the world. Read more>>

Nayendi Santos

What my parents did right gave me what they were unable to obtain back home in Honduras to finish their education and find opportunity because they were forced to migrate to the United States in search of a better life and opportunity for their families. Due to a lack of support and funds. It has had a significant impact on my life because they were able to show me and leave me with values. Even though they are no longer with me Dad died when I was 14 years old in Honduras in our family vacation ,due to medical issues, and Mom died when I was 24 years old in the US due to a doctor’s inelegance, and to never give up and strive for my dreams and what I want in real life. Read more>>

Kelly Conley

Gosh, there are so many wonderful things about my parents. They have had a huge impact on my life and my career and paved the way for me to be the mother and wife that I am today. They showed us stability, love, safety and taught us responsibility. We were brought up to respect those around us, to have compassion and to show kindness. My dad worked 3 jobs but we always grew up having family dinners even if it was on the ball field since my brother played competitive baseball for about 15 years. Read more>>

Samantha Gipson

My parents were always very supportive of pursuing my dreams and passions. When I was younger they pushed me to try different activities and to try new skills to see what I felt passionate about. I always loved fashion and sewing, so when I was in 15 my parents sent me to SCAD in Savannah for a week long program that offered fashion design classes. They also signed me up for 4H sewing competitions to help me pursue my passion. Read more>>

Brennen Woodward

I grew up in a home with a loving mother and father. We lived in a small town in rural Utah where my parents started their own business and they were able to grow it into a sizable entity by the time I was a teenager. At the time I had no interest in thinking beyond the next day. I was a 15 year old kid who wanted to do nothing more than hang out with friends and enjoy life. One summer day I was invited to a pool party at our city pool. Read more>>

Ronald Fanning

Everything will fall into place During the lowest points of my life, the reassurances from my mom always seemed to come right before my major breakthroughs. Regardless of how sticky the situation seemed to be, she never showed her panic or worry — call it a mom trait, but she saw my abilities (before I could) and believed in them (even more than I did). Read more>>

Eileen Dada

My parents have always told me that I can do anything I set my mind to. This teaching combined with their great example helped me believe in myself and gave me the confidence to be able to open up my own business – creating something by myself in order to help the world in the way that I am gifted to. My mom owns a pharmacy that her and my father started together. I know it took a lot of hard work coming from Africa to now owning a business here in America; so seeing that process is inspiring and exudes the belief that you can make it regardless which walk of life you come from. Read more>>

Kyla Stimpson

I remember playing “Store” when I was a little girl. I’d literally set up my room as a store for my parents to come shop ! Everything was labeled with a price, the Fisher Price cash register was out, and quality customer service was given ! If anyone asks, i’ll tell them that my father inspired my career in art. During my High-School Freshman open house I was convinced that I was not going to take any art related electives. Read more>>

Darly Valcin

I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time, but now my parents are my favorite people. I have a newfound appreciation for my parents. My parents supported me through every chapter in my life. They pushed me to be the best version of myself. Years ago my mother would encourage me to become a life coach and I thought to myself “I can but can I?” doubting my own capabilities. But she had so much faith in me but I lacked the confidence within myself. A part of me knew I wasn’t living my life to its fullest potential. I was scared of judgment and not being good enough. Read more>>

Jessica Freeman

I hate to brag, but I have to say that my parents, Mark and Ashlie Freeman, are simply the best… And I’m not just saying this because I’m their daughter. You could ask anyone they know from employees, to coworkers, to friends and family, to the cashier at the grocery store, or the Starbucks barista. I think that my parents influenced my younger brother and I effectively because they led by example. Note that I’m saying “influenced” not “taught”. I’m not saying that my parents didn’t teach me, because there’s no doubt they did… but their influence has had more power to inspire me than anything else. Read more>>

Kariatu Jalloh

Both of my parents were born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Their objective was to come to America for the opportunity to build a better life. Typically when you are born to immigrant parents, they project their fears and dreams onto you. My parents did the opposite and created space for my dreams to exist freely. They opened their minds to my aspirations and supported me the best way they knew how. Even when my plans were bigger than myself, they kept me grounded and made sure I knew God and put him first. That is the best thing they’ve done for me and the reason I know I can do anything I put my mind to. Read more>>

Michael Elliott

I am very fortunate to say that there are a great many things that my parents did right, but there is one thing that they did exceptionally well that I carry with me in music everyday. They very kindly helped me set expectations when I was first starting out. I have always loved music. I started playing piano when I was 8 and picked up guitar when I was 13. I took some lessons and taught myself a lot, but also had very divided attention with sports. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school that I decided that I wanted to pursue music. Read more>>

Caitlin Sloan

Growing up, I always felt fully supported by my parents. I didn’t start dancing until I was ten and it was only a few years later that I was fully invested in training for a professional career. I was dancing six days a week, plus performances, competitions, auditions, and summer intensives. It was all-encompassing, but my parents knew I was serious about making ballet my career and did everything they could to make it happen for me. Read more>>

Lauren Barnett

Growing up in a single parent household, I was raised by my mom. I always talk about this very important thing my Mom got right. She never ever silenced me, she encouraged me to speak up and have an opinion. Even as a child she would encourage me to stand to anyone that was in my way. I remember this specific traumatizing event. I witnessed two police officers verbally abuse a pregnant woman in Discovery Bay Jamaica, the police were from Kingston. They had come to arrest my neighbor’s husband but he wasn’t home. Read more>>

Barbara Moreira-Curran

I grew up in a small town. I am the oldest child; I have a little brother and I had a little sister who passed away 6 years ago. Our family, as 70% of the entire Brazilian population was poor. My dad started working when he was 9 years old, as a butcher, growing up his family many times did not have money to eat, and I think that his goal when he started a family was to never let that happen to his children. As I mentioned before, we were poor, most of our clothes and toys were donated, I remember that my mom only had one green sweater for winter, and I saw her wearing it for at least 12 years. Read more>>

Stephen Kissel

Oh man. I feel like I’ve been really lucky in that my family has always been supportive of me pursuing art even at a young age. There was never really any sort of hesitation on their part about letting me go that route for a career. I certainly wasn’t the only person in my family that had creative outlets, but I think I was the first to try to follow that career path. Read more>>

Kyla Hughes

My parents were definitely my greatest inspiration growing up. As a preachers daughter from Ohio, I was blessed with the natural gift of leadership & inspiration. My father who was a hard-worker & well-dressed minister, always encouraged me to do my best, look my best & be the best. My beautiful mother, who also worked & retired, is my biggest fan & is always eager to support me no matter how many ideas I come up with, she’s always in my corner. I also have an amazing step-father, who never treated me anything less than his biological daughter. Read more>>

jenny lorraine

my parents failed me. I know this is common in my generation, so it’s not special, but breaking generational trauma has a huge impact on my life and work. I see the same in my fellow artists and makers, and it’s breathtaking to see my friends break away from the same. Read more>>

Victor Sewankambo

My parents created the best opportunities for me regardless of whether they understood my interests or not, they’ve been primary providers for all the necessities I needed throughout my track and field career . They have also been present throughout my career to support and encourage me to do better each time I have a chance to which Read more>>

Wana Bernales

Imagine going to work by 6am and not leaving until Read more>>

Elyse Berman

My parents were the kindest, most honorable people I knew. They taught me to treat people with kindness and always take the high road, do the right thing. Read more>>

Sarah Baroud

Though no parent is perfect, my parents did a lot of things right. My mom died over 12 years ago, and she continues to be with me every day. My mom encouraged critical thinking and creativity in all she did. She was an elementary school teacher for over two decades. She was not a fan of testing students and focused more on projects that allowed students to figure things out on their own and challenged their problem solving skills. My dad also has a creative side, though it showed in different ways. Read more>>

Whitney Buckland

The one defining moment that shaped by life and career would be that my parents fostered independence. The was no helicoptering, or mowing down obstacles. This allowed me to make mistakes, and work through failure, consequences and brain storm solutions. There is nothing magical that happens at age 18 or 21 or 25 where we are automatically adults with higher levels of thinking and preparedness. Allowing independence to practice these things at a younger age, when the stakes are arguably lower, allows development and growth in these skills. Read more>>

Tierra Anderson

Of all the things my mom did right, I would say the thing that’s impacted me most on this journey is her teaching me the importance of asking questions. She would often say, “Ask exactly what it is you don’t understand.” That taught be to not be ashamed about not having all the answers, and helped me lose pride around getting more information for myself. Read more>>

Jasmin Thames

What my parents did right with my upbringing is always believing in my ability to be great. No matter what sport I wanted to take up or what pageant I wanted to be a part of, they were my biggest cheerleaders. Even if they didn’t understand choices that I wanted to make, they gave me their advice but ultimately supported me and allowed me to choose my own paths. Read more>>