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.

Yaniza

My parents have been monumental in my music career. They were always there to support in whatever type of show I performed in growing up, from being an understudy on The Crucible in high school to headlining tour dates. While they instilled realistic values in me like going to college and getting a job, they never dimmed my creative light either. They believed in me while helping me set up back up plans as well. Read more>>

Marvin Guelce

My parents, given the resources and skills they had access to, did just about everything right. Both of my parents came to the Use in the mid 80’s from Haiti, with almost nothing, little to no understanding of the english language, and a whole lot of blind faith. Read more>>

Esther Avant

My mom passed away coming up on 12 years ago but who she was and how she raised me has shaped my entire life.⁣ She was an incredible woman: a social worker who worked at both a homeless teen shelter and a methadone clinic, and was constantly inviting “stragglers” to Thanksgiving.⁣ Read more>>

Kevin Adams (KJ)

This one was a tough question. But as time passes I learn more about what my parents had to undergo as we grew up. They didn’t know if they were doing things right or wrong. They rolled with the punches and exchanged verbal blows but at the end of the day it was for us. My mom looked out for us while my dad went to go find fun stuff for us to do as a family. If anyone knew how to have fun and get a laugh out of the moment was my dad. Happy Moments to always remember and cherish even in darkness. Now that’s doing it right Read more>>

Meera Ramanathan

I grew up in Chennai, India, and visual art had always been an important part of my life! I would often find myself creating clothes for my dolls out of fabric scraps using a needle and yarn at 6 years old or making handmade cards to give to family members using markers and crayons. My fondest memory is using okra to create prints on a piece of paper with paint that my parents displayed proudly for everyone to see at our home. Read more>>

Malene Brissett

My parents are both health care professionals. I’ve watched my father build and run a clinic in our community out of a need to provide care to those who had inequitable access to care. I’ve seen my mother work in a vulnerable population providing care and compassion in an environment that is stressful and often times, forgotten. Read more>>

James Donnelly

My parents taught me at a very young age the value of hard work, the importance of remaining humble and willing to learn from others. My father would always tell me no matter how skilled you become at something there will always be someone better than you at it. Rather than being intimidated or threatened by this accept it, learn from that person watch what they do, imitate that until you are as good or better. Read more>>

Jessica Wassil

My dad was my Mom’s college art teacher. That sounds scandalous but they were close in age and married for 14 years. There were always creative projects developing around the house. My dad did all forms. Woodwork, painting, sculpture… I was lucky to have access to an abundance of art supplies as well as the guidance for my curiosity. Read more>>

Greg Krino

They provided stability and space. My parents never tried to direct my decisions in terms of school or sports. They let me decide what I did, and they didn’t intervene to help (or hurt) me. They let me succeed or fail on my own. It gave me a sense of independence and confidence to take on greater challenges. Read more>>

Sarah Shepard

I was raised by two very good people. My father who worked hard for the city of Los Angeles for 37 years and my mother who is so well rounded, she showed and taught us if you can read you can do anything. They inspire me to do things right and with integrity. Read more>>

Jessica Phillips

First off I would not be where I am today without the amazing support of my parents John and Kay Phillips. They supported my dream to one day become a professional dancer… which let me say is a very very time consuming not to mention expensive commitment to make as a parent to 3 (or 1 for that matter). Read more>>

Brandon Davis

So my parents did so many things right but the biggest thing for me is how they did a great job co-parenting. My parents got a divorce when I was 8 but stayed on constant contact with one another to make sure I didn’t go off the deep end ya know. They even lived a 5 minute walk away from one another in Tracy, Ca where I was born and raised so I could easily transition to having two separate households. Read more>>

Jenise La Vonne Wright

My parents shared God’s word, but more importantly they lived God’s word. Being the daughter of a Bishop comes with its own set of difficulties but one thing that I never had to struggle with was whether or not God was real and if it was truly possible to live for Him and be happy and successful. Their example helped me to truly fall in love with God and not just what he could do for me. As a result, I am a gospel artist who loves God more than the music or the industry. Read more>>

Vidhu Kota

My parents weren’t always supportive of my filmmaking ventures, and that’s understandable. It’s risky being a filmmaker in an oversaturated market. However, after a point, they were kind of forced into supporting me, because film was the only thing I wanted to do, and could do well. My grades were horrible and were consistently going downhill, it was only a matter of time before there was no way to fix that. Read more>>

Megan Miller

I will preface this article with the notion that I was born a Gemini Child, as soon as I master something, I’ll grow bored with it and move on – retaining those skills but always looking for the next challenge. My Parents were tough, but they were thoughtful. There was a lesson in every walk around the block and a teachable moment in the late hours of the night. They believed in me and trusted that the path I was given I would follow (with or without a few detours). Read more>>

Kate Raneri

As a little kid, I was extremely shy and had to deal with selective mutism. Selective mutism is a type of anxiety disorder that makes it incredibly difficult for the person to speak with the people around them. Fortunately, my parents recognized this and had me begin art therapy when I was 5 years old. My mom says she chose art therapy specifically because I was always drawing and painting on an easel my older brother had. Read more>>

Zaid Dahhaj

My father instilled me with the core values of discipline, loyalty, respect and responsibility. As I got older, I began to realize how these values were an inherent part of my character. They’ve informed my ability to think and operate in the world. Read more>>

Henry Leor

My parents never tried to pressure me into a specific career path. Both of my parents have artistic degrees (my mom studied tech theatre and my dad studied vocal music), but neither of them entered their field of study professionally. Both of them had parents who essentially told them to “get a real job”. So when I started expressing interest in the arts at a very young age, they were always supportive. Read more>>

Lisa-Marie Del Rio

The greatest gift that a parent can bestow upon a child is their own life fully lived. My father has a soft heart and rough hands. And my mother streams tears and laughs from her belly–sometimes simultaneously. They live peacefully in the in between. On the border of light and dark, sameness and evolution, the physical and the spiritual. Read more>>

Anthony Sanchez

My entire career in music and business would not be possible without the foundation set forth by both my amazing parents. I owe my entire work ethic, moral beliefs, and self drive to watching them both work so hard to provide for their 6 children. I remember being the youngest of 6 kids, living in a two bedroom apartment off the streets of 11th and G in San Bernardino, CA. Read more>>

Tiana Moneyy

-“You weren’t held back you were pulled back.” That quote from Sarah Jakes Roberts changed my perspective on my childhood. Their vigilance, structure and control of the household created 2 tenacious daughters. Growing up in the early 2000s in Chicago meant you learned to do the Cha Cha slide. There’s one particular line in the popular line dance that goes “Hands on ya knees, hands on ya knees!” Read more>>

JP Purkey

My parents have been reliable resources to me. Both of them own their own business. My dad owns his own HVAC company and my mom owns her own beauty shop. They are two different people who offer two different perspectives. But, they both have taught me something that has been integral to my success. Read more>>

Sydney kennett

My parents have supported me 100% of the way. I am so greatful for them and how much they’ve helped me along my journey. When our parents had my sister and me, they didnt change their lives completely. They started bringing us on all the adventures they went on. We were skiing by two years old, camping every weekend and making memories I’ll have for a lifetime. Our parents helped us out anyway they could and i cannot thank them enough. Read more>>

Michela Parisi

As a therapist for adult women with trauma, I hear a lottt about all the things parents did/are doing wrong for their children. Not giving enough attention. Giving too much attention. Having a disciplinary hand that was too heavy. Giving all the free rein to the kiddos. Yelling at their partner in front of the children. Never arguing in front of the children. Read more>>

Wil Otero

Growing up in Brooklyn with a single mother of six children was not easy, but my mom made sure that we never went without love, support, and food on the table. One of the things that my mom did right was to instill in us the values of compassion and empathy. She always taught us to be kind to others, to lend a helping hand whenever we could, and to be understanding of people’s struggles and hardships. Read more>>

Allie Haydon

In my field, working with a lot of young people, that includes a lot of work with their parents. I know parents can often feel like they “can’t do anything right” with their challenging teen. I was a VERY challenging teen! And although all parents are human and make mistakes, one of the things my parents did well was teach me how to make amends by making amends themselves. Read more>>

Quania Jones

My mother, grandmothers, and close relatives really groomed me into the woman I am today. I grew up in a fashion family with strong southern roots. They are big on etiquette and being a respectable young lady. Music has always been around me and performances were frequent. This certainly explains my love for the arts. I had the opportunity to be mentored by jazz musicians, models, and producers about the industry. Read more>>

Melissa Gaskin

From an early age, I knew my parents supported me no matter what. They encouraged me to follow my dreams and aspirations and sacrificed in their own goals and dreams to foster my success. I was always encouraged to never give up and was encouraged to overcome my challenges. I contribute a lot of my current tenacity and determination to how they raised me with this unwavering support. Read more>>

Joe Aul

My parents provided, and continue to provide a model for how to live. As Catholics, we know that ultimate goal in life, and what truly makes us happy is to become saints. By making that the focus of our life as a family, doing things like starting my business becomes secondary. Read more>>

Christina Watka

My work is grounded in nature and simple, wonder-filled ideas brought to life. As a child, I was a curious daydreamer and constant observer. Light and shadow in stacked leaves shifting by the wind drew my attention, as well as the changing shape of a river rock beneath moving water. I was encouraged to spend lots of open time outside without distraction, and this fed my creative energy in ways I am only now just beginning to truly understand. These simple, time-tested wonders constantly find their way into my artwork. Read more>>

Joyce Mercer

Well I am going to say it was mainly my mother who did it right! She always supported our creative moves no matter what they were. I am talking full on support no matter what! I remember as a little kid always getting things as gifts that were creative, painting sets, rug making tools or crochet needles and yarn. As a teen I asked for and got a very nice sewing maching along with all the stuff. Once I made something my mom would always be excited about. Read more>>

Carly Howard

From letting me grow rice in my closet to buying me my first video editing software, my parents have been supporters of my journey for as long as I can remember. Any time I had a new interest, they would help cultivate it – with one stipulation -I had to stick to it to see it through – even if it meant crying before every softball game. There was no quitting until some sort of completion had occurred. Read more>>

Glenda Freeman

So, my parents have had a huge impact on my life and my art. They have taught me a lot about perseverance, which has been crucial in helping me achieve my goals. My father is the logical and analytical type, and he taught me the importance of planning and setting goals. However, I think having too much structure can stifle creativity, and that’s where my mother comes in. She’s creative and intuitive, and has taught me to trust my instincts and intuition. Read more>>

Elodie Jones

My parents supported me. At the beginning of the pandemic, they jumped at the chance to support me starting my first business. I can still vividly remember my mom sitting next to me at the kitchen table, my dad making us dinner. My mom and I quickly typing in ElodieBird Beads (as it was at the time) into my new Etsy profile. They never hesitated. I think between the idea and the completion of my Etsy profile spanned perhaps an hour. Read more>>

Nancy Pickard

I was brought up in a household where I was repeatedly told that I could do anything I put my mind to. I developed a good sense of self worth and had the opportunity to model hard work and resiliency which has been the backbone of my own success. Read more>>

Yared Berhane

Yard’s journey from the creative child to the professional Artist and
photographer of today. My brother Yared is the second youngest in a family of seven, three brothers and four sisters, from loving parents, our late mother Workenesh Hailemichael and late father Tekleab Berhane. A year after our parents migrated us from our homeland Eritrea, to keep us safe from the liberation civil war Eritrea from Ethiopia, Yared was born in Sudan on January 3rd 1980, Read more>>