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.

Patrick Roper

Certainly, a fair number of parents feel some trepidation at hearing that their child wants to become an actor. Anybody who may know anything about this work understands that it’s filled with a fair amount of frustration, hardship, and insecurity. My parents, however, were always extremely supportive of me following an artistic path. Read more>>

Xavier Allen

My parents are both artists and forces in the world. They have a bold energy and thrive on novelty. They are skeptical towards conventional ways of dealing with problems, preferring to figure their own way. It’s been invaluable to have that kind of example. You are going to run into so many problems, no matter what the project, and you need to draw on some inner belief that at the end of the day, if you keep going you have what you need to figure it out. Even if you mess up, it’s not a big deal, it can always be fixed! Read more>>

Lolita Milena

My father was my largest supporter when it came to expanding on my knowledge of not only what I enjoyed, but the world as a whole. He and I bonded over our shared love of education whether it be through the study of our galaxy, or significant historical events. To this day, he was the smartest person in my personal life. Beyond education, he showed me the value in emotional resilience. If I were to pursue a passion, to go into it with strength against any potential obstacle. Read more>>

Maddie Haulenbeek

My entire life, my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders. If I had an idea, no matter how big or small, they were there to talk through it with me. If it was something I decided to pursue, they were behind me every step of the way. Because of my parents’ encouragement, I never felt like there was anything I could not do. This created a sense of confidence and self-assuredness in me that has helped a lot in owning my own business. Read more>>

Sydney Haistings

I have always been a messy handful of a child. Constantly drawing or painting on anything I could reach, it didn’t even need to be a flat surface. My work could be found on walls, boxes, dishwasher doors, bathtubs, sandboxes, and windows. Instead of reprimanding me, my parents embraced it. They found ways to help my creative nature grow from a very young age. For example, my mom would lay out rolls of white paper all over the kitchen floor, hand me paint, and just see what I could create. Read more>>

Maria Provenzano

My parents did many things to give us a great childhood, but one very simple tradition they insisted upon was sitting down to eat dinner together. Italian families are known for strong family bonds, and I genuinely believe it’s because they connect over food. As a kid, the dinner table was always a sacred place where we would talk about our day, plan for upcoming events, and connect over our mutual love for food. Read more>>

Winnie Tataw

I would say my parents being supportive of my art career is the first thing that comes to mind. Both of my parents are Cameroonian and as most American-born children of immigrants, parents aren’t very supportive of creative lifestyles or careers, especially Africans. And you can argue that there’s good reason why that is but regardless it happens and I have seen first-hand how it can be so hard and gut-wrenching to have to pick between being accepted and approved by your parents or family and following your chosen path in life. Read more>>

Myesha Banks

Growing up in a household with a single parent and two siblings wad quite a task. My mom was a hardworking parent that displayed strength and hard work. I became a successful women because of what my parent showed me. She taught me to survive in this world without solely depending on her. My mom taught me discipline , staying focus and work hard at anything you do. Without the skills of what my mother displayed i would not be where i am right now ! Read more>>

Melissa Riesgo

“My sister Liz and I are daughters of Cuban immigrants. From a very early age, we witnessed our parents’ hard work and dedication to creating a bright future for us and our brother. We like to say that we learned our entrepreneurship skills from our father and our organizational skills from our mother. Our parents have been our greatest inspiration and support system. Read more>>

Patrick Berger

My parents were both academics and I assumed I would become one as well. I majored in archaeology in college and was planning on going to grad school followed by a career in teaching and field research. You would think my parents, both being professors, would be thrilled with my trajectory but they could tell my heart wasn’t in it. When I made the decision to pursue a life in the restaurant industry, they could not have been more supportive. Read more>>

Jalila Jones

I grew up in a household that fostered the arts. My father was a stage and film actor here in the valley. I spent countless hours backstage while my mother was part of the design set. I helped with creating backdrops and such when I was old enough. While my father could draw his passion was acting and music. Read more>>

Tunde Adigun

For me being a first generation Nigerian, my current occupation and career path isn’t usually favored in a African household. But fortunately enough for me, my parents have been in full support of me as a Barber and a Stand Up Comedian from day one. Typically most foreigners who come to America desire their children to be Doctors or Engineers or have some other prestigious career. Read more>>

Jason Nash

I’ve had an extremely unconventional career. I owned a coffee shop at the age of 29 only to sell it and begin college at the age of 33. I graduated from Oakland University at the age of 37, but I quickly learned that corporate America was not for me. So, I began my YouTube channel at the age of 39. Read more>>

Cole Strem

My parents have always been supportive of my artistic creativity. My mother and step father are photographers and artists them selves and my father was a painting/decorating instructor and still is a taxidermist. I was exposed to many forms of art from a very young age and my folks always had me in some sort of art class. As did the public school system at that time. I took many art classes during middle school and high school that were always switching up the mediums the students could use. Read more>>

Diane Makish

My parents always supported me in all aspects of my life, but most importantly, gave me the freedom to explore my goals. I never felt compelled to be anything other than myself . My late father was an amazing man An , artist and intellect. I learned so much from him in so many different aspects. He was one of the first jewelers for Cartier and designed jewelry for the late queen Elizabeth and her sister when they were teens. Everyday I think of him and thank him for being such an integigal part of my success. So many ah ha moments. Especially now. Read more>>

Katelyn Woodmansee

My parents were in Christian rock n’ roll band when I was a kid called Phyre. They met in the classic 90s fashion a preachers daughter & the rock n’ roll rebel. When my dad got into church he wanted to make songs like AC/DC but about Jesus & so “Phyre” was born. Growing up with the music in the church as well as their band created a spark in me very young for songwriting. We would play so much that we had a rule in our house that you could only play during the commercials on Tv! Read more>>

Afa Dworkin

My parents were non-artists but appreciated my affinity and aptitude toward the arts. While they neither favored nor envisioned a professional pathway in the arts for me, they found and created space for me to continue the pursuit of my passion. They always gave me honest feedback about what they thought about the idea of a career in the arts, as well as continued to share thoughts as my career path shifted and evolved. But ultimately, they prioritized me and my love for music above their own sensibilities and found ways to support me while never mincing words. I remain so grateful to them for that wisdom! Read more>>

Petr Buzyan

My parents taught me what faith and belief looked like! They showed me that when life challenges are thrown your way, you can and will get through them. I moved with my parents, and two other brothers from the Ukraine in the mid 90’s right after the communist regime fell a part on a religious refugee visa. Which mean that my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents all were persecuted for being Christians in the USSR. Read more>>

Adrienne Parran

It took me a while to learn and execute this, but they [my parents] taught me the importance of keeping a steady pace, and going to work and going home. I have learned that although my particular industry is built on relationships, sometimes it can be draining to work with people and parlay as well. A lot of my woes I feel could have been prevented had I simply gone to work and home. Read more>>

Alessandra Leto

Both of my parents are Italian immigrants. They came to the United States, left their families behind, to give themselves and their children better opportunities in life with education, experiences, and work. What they taught me is that with hard work anything is possible. They also taught me that in life you have to sometimes take big risks for a great reward at the end. Read more>>

De Andrea Blaylock Solar

My mother was incredibly intentional with raising my sister and me. She bought us pretty gowns to wear as young teenagers because she wanted to emphasize the importance of doing nice things for ourselves. She wanted us to enjoy the act of taking a nice bath or shower and wearing something that makes us feel pretty for ourselves, not only saving those things for when we’re partnered. Read more>>

Anna Gygi

My parents always supported my dreams. Major things to small things. When I first started my makeup journey my parents were my biggest support system. My mom was actually the one who went with me to buy all my makeup for the first time. She encouraged (and still does) my bold, out there looks. She would help me take the photos for my makeup looks too when I first started. My father would help me come up with ideas for looks and still continues today. They still encourage and cheer me in what I do. The big and little things. Making so I always know I can turn to them in any situation; big or small. Read more>>

Dameelah Carolina

My parents did many things right, but in regards to raising me they taught me independence, strength and the importance of succeeding. Despite having some rough times throughout life, I believe I had the perfect parents for me. They taught me to work hard to be the best version of me. My father, being an entrepreneur taught instilled the importance of hard work. Read more>>

Hannah Ghidey

My parents always taught me to “go for what I want”. To be firm and always follow through. I am a triplet, and grew up to be known as the “triplet” until I turned 18 years of age. In case you’re wondering…. Two boys and a girl. I was always a curious child, and my goal at 10 years was to be a neurosurgeon. Eventually, I ventured off to college in Florida and pursued my career in Public Health focusing on childbirth, nutrition (“healthy lifestyle”), and woman’s health – as a Doula. My parents always trusted my instincts and began to see the transformation of their creation. Read more>>

Lindsey Essary

I grew up watching my parents indulge in their hobbies and gain skills that would bleed into the next craft or hobby when the previous was no longer their main passion. They both loved to learn new ways to express themselves artistically and combine that with a keen business sense. My father worked long hours at the telephone company when I was young and he wanted to make a change. Read more>>

Lexi K. Nilson

There was always play dough in the cupboard alongside a tray of scrap paper leftover from my dad’s fax machine and a bin of crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc. In many ways, it feels like I was raised by that cupboard and the way my parents kept it stocked like an evergreen nudge to make things and celebrate my own mind. Read more>>

Mike Norris

Growing up in a single parent household, time wasn’t always something that was widely available. My mother had to work a lot. That meant a lot of time spent with grandparents, especially in the summers when school was out. Looking back on that experience growing up and how my mother handled it really instilled in me a sense of determination and work ethic. Read more>>

Wynton Huddle

My mother gave me a Fender Squire for my 14th birthday, and thus began my music career! After patiently listening to all the most likely horrible noises I made out of my newfound instrument, she shortly after decided to get me some guitar lessons, hah! Read more>>

Alex English

The main thing my parents did right that put me on the right path with my music career and business, was letting me be 100% self-sufficient from the start. What I mean by that is by the time I was 12 years old, I was the one calling venues for bookings, I was the one behind my emails, I was the one behind my promotional posts, and I ran my business. Even developing my LLC through the state of New Jersey, I did it all. Read more>>

Kai Dennis

I grew up around art. Whether it was using the plastic embroidery kit for kids, making outfits for my dolls out of clothes that didn’t fit me anymore, or drawing in crayon on the bottom of the kitchen table. We lived and breathed art in my household. While I didn’t realize it as a kid, I have to attribute a lot of my love for making art and crafting to the environment my parents provided. They have both been my biggest cheerleaders in my starting my art and event business, even if they don’t always understand it. Read more>>

Brittney Jones-Wiley

One thing my parents did right was instill in me that I should see things through to the end. Since I can remember, I’ve always been active in some kind of extra curricular activities. I played all kinds of sports including volleyball, wrestling, track and field, cross country and marching band. The first sport I participated in that I was taught to see things through to the end was track and field. My dad and I were stationed in Florida at the time and I attended Escambia High School. Read more>>

Sunny Moza

Absolutely! And I am immensely grateful for them. Though far from perfect, I always knew that they had my best interests at heart. Growing up in a family that didn’t know the concept of expressing emotions, I learned invaluable lessons by simply observing my parents. From my dad, I learned the virtue of DIGNITY. He taught me to hold my head high and never succumb to a victim mentality. Despite enduring severe health challenges, including near-death experiences, he never sought sympathy. I witnessed firsthand his unwavering determination to recover after a stroke left him paralyzed. Read more>>

Desiree Murphy

For as long as I can remember, I have always been a very independent person, and my parents definitely saw that in me. They really let me make a lot of my own decisions, even at a young age. They would give me choices and I always knew they trusted that I could make the best one. I feel that even from small choices like choosing what I wanted to wear really aided me in my decision making. It made me confident in my decisions. Read more>>

Dionne D. Hunter

To explain what my parents did right I have to start off with a sad story. My mother passed away when I was seven years old, but even in the short amount of time we had together she showed me so much love and affection and she always encouraged me to do my best. Read more>>

Malik Bannister

Throughout my life, both my mother and father found it important to stay at connected to their spiritual foundations; a relationship with God was the foundation for all things done in our household. My mother has been a school & spiritual educator in the school and church culture for 20+ Years, currently holding a Doctorate Degree in an Educational Leadership. Mom always made it a point for me to challenge the reality around me; always read more into things, research, never take it at face value, etc. Read more>>

Evelyn Mayo

My parents always put me and my sisters in uncomfortable situations. We moved almost every two years during my childhood across the world, living in France, Japan, Australia and Singapore. They always challenged us to immerse ourselves in different cultures and environments. Because of this we learned several languages and gained so many survival skills that still serve me today. Read more>>