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.

Caitlin Torrez

Growing up with my mother and father meant there was always a project going on. Looking back, I’m amazed at the breadth of things they would do. As a preschooler, I remember scraping off wallpaper in our tiny kitchen. In elementary school, I remember helping them make hundreds of holiday items to sell at a local craft fair. And in high school, we would be picking homegrown grapes every fall to make jelly. There really was no limit on what we did, and the whole family was always involved. Read more>>

Kenna Ehman

My parents are two of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. My dad worked multiple jobs at once to provide for our family, and my mom’s passion was to stay home with us when we were young, but she found a way to use her gifts and talents while at home to help bring in income as a writer. My dad taught me to show up to work and always give 100 percent even when it seems like a job that “isn’t that important.” Read more>>

Allie Stango

I am incredibly fortunate to have a mom and dad who consistently supported me throughout my childhood as a creative individual. From an early age, I exhibited a keen eye for detail and a strong inclination towards anything crafty and colorful. Recognizing my passion for these artistic pursuits, my parents wholeheartedly embraced and encouraged my creative dreams as a young child. Read more>>

 

Jen Haugen

When I was a senior in high school, I had my mind set on becoming an accountant after I took an accounting class. My parents however, had another idea. They saw my interest in food, how I took nutrition projects to the fair, did little recipe demonstrations at our 4-H club and my interest in cookbooks and gardening. Read more>>

Erica Calu

My parents did a lot of things right and I am forever grateful for the integrity and perseverance that they taught me. My parents always encouraged me to do the things I was interested in and once I made a commitment to something that I saw it through. This was from interviewing for student council in elementary all the way up to changing my major in college. My parents are some of my biggest supporters even if they don’t always agree with the choice. Read more>>

Quornesha Lemon

My mom and dad raised me to believe in my power, myself, and my dreams. They instilled in me the beauty of accepting my naturalness and embrace who I am no matter what. Read more>>

Jazmin Simpson

My parents are my biggest influence when it comes to the ways in which I live my life. The morals, habits and knowledge that they instilled in me has been incredibly helpful while navigating through life. Admittedly, like so many children, I rebelled at first and didn’t understand why they wanted me to be the way they did. But now that I am an adult myself I am so grateful for everything they taught me. Read more>>

Letao Sun

I am fortunate to have parents who recognized my passion for art and consistently supported and encouraged me to pursue it. Growing up in a family with a strong artistic inclination, with my mother studying graphic design and my father majoring in interior design, undoubtedly had a significant impact on my life and career. Read more>>

Stephanie Freud

Where do I begin? My parents did so many things right. My mom is the strongest woman I know. She is a fighter. What I mean by that is I never once saw life’s obstacles stop her from moving forward. She always got up, scraped herself off and kept going. My Dad, now, he’s a salesman through and through. He’s a fantastic orator and has a thousand stories. He truly believes that every no leads to a yes. Put those two together and you have quite the team.  Read more>>

Lisa Myers

Both my parents supported me throughout my life. I went through many frogs(careers) to get to my prince(artist). After a couple of years in college, I was chomping at the bit to get out there and begin making money. First I decided at 22 to get my Real Estate License, that was the early 80’s when interest rates soared much higher than even today. I found my niche in new home sales. After too many weekends. Read more>>

Matt Ortego

Truthfully, just support and understanding goes a long way. I never had to worry about what field I was in or any kind of pressure to be anything more than I am. It allowed me to flow into areas where I felt comfortable, like to film production, fine art, or graphic design. It was all a smooth transition. I always felt cared for even when I was shown where I was falling short. That is the kind of love I want to give back as well, kind but honest. I am very thankful. Read more>>

Courtney Benoit

They taught me to always work for what I want , and never settle , and one thing that sticks with me is , that life is whatever you make of it , we all fall but it’s how we get up that matters most Read more>>

Sabrina Cabrera

They both have taught me a lot. For example, they have taught me that even tho someone is talented, they must always be kind and humble. Also, they have always supported me both emotionally and physically, especially my mom. They have always been there for me to hear a “great job” and an “I’m so proud of you”, and to support me by getting me my needs as an artist. Read more>>

Tinesha Croom

My parents provided me with the opportunities and the grit to go after my dreams but not without hard work. As a child, I always envisioned having a career and retiring. My parents gave me, and continue as an adult, a reality check that life comes with many challenges. It is what you do to overcome those challenges that make you great! Having these morals have provided me with the foundation needed to reach all of my goals successfully. Tough love has molded me into the person I am today. Read more>>

Steeven Alvarez

My parents have been instrumental in my success and who I am as a person and how I run my business. It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing that my parents did right. My dad is the ultimate example of hardworking and not letting your situation or circumstances dictate the outcome of your life. He does everything with best intentions and puts his faith in God first, which I’ve been able to see how he’s been blessed by doing so. Read more>>

Mannikka Rosa

I credit my mom for so much of my success. I look back now as a mother of three kids (and a happy little pup!) and I wonder–how did she do this without any help? My father passed away when I was 8 years old, which meant my mom was alone to take care of her three children. One income. One chauffer to drive to every game. One manager to organize all the schedules. One cook to feed all the mouths. Read more>>

Kenneth Beard

My parents stayed on me about being the best me I could possibly be. They saw in me what I didn’t see in myself at first. As a child I thought they were just being hard on me, but as I got older I realized they prepared me for not only the business owner that I am but also the man that I am. Read more>>

Hope Somadlangati

Taught me that I can accomplish anything that I put my mind and full effort towards. The key word being “anything” because life often presents us with many options to pursue and it is our active duty to try and figure out where our destiny lies Read more>>

EJ O’Mara

My parents did many things right, but the biggest one was taking the risk of starting a manufacturing business and having the perseverance to see it through. It gives me the motivation and courage to continue on the family legacy of building the highest quality flooring surface the world has to offer. Read more>>

Ashley McNair

My parents are very hardworking individuals. My father owns his own business, and my mother has always worked. From a young age, both my parents taught my siblings and I what hard work looks like and how important it is to follow through on a project and your word. Alongside the example of hard work, my mother always worked in the garden at home and has a love for flowers. Read more>>

Julie Todd

My parents showed up and spoke the truth about injustices in the church and world. Whether it was opposition to the triple threats of militarism, racism and materialism, or active advocacy for reproductive rights and equality for queer folx, my parents demonstrated what it meant to serve others out a great sense of love for people and a desire for equality. They did this even when it was neither popular nor convenient. Read more>>

Jennie Wiegand

I am extremely fortunate to have two loving and supportive parents (and in-laws that are just as fantastic!). Growing up, my parents were always extremely supportive of anything my sister or I did. They attended every school function, every event, and were always there on a day to day basis. They set high goals for my sister and I and pushed us to help us realize the potential that we had and what we could achieve. Read more>>

Marc Logan

Long story short, everything. I can’t thank my parents enough for who I am today. I wouldn’t be the overly optimistic, ambitious creator I am today without them pushing me to always just be myself. With my mother being an artist of many forms, not only could she have an idea brought to life in the span of a day, she also saw the light in me and never diminished it. She would always be there for support no matter how out there the idea was. Read more>>

Desarae Legros

What did my parents do right? That’s a pretty loaded question. I think listing the things I didn’t agree with would be easier. But what they did right was they loved me the best way they knew how. Growing up in my family wasn’t easy. I had a very unstable childhood. From moving over 30 times to ending up in one of the most abusive foster homes ever; I had to grow up much younger than I had planned. Read more>>

Alysse Gafkjen

My parents were entrepreneurs when I was young. They started their own successful business, Gafkjen Stitch & Fix when I was a toddler. My Mom, a seamstress and my Dad repaired sewing machines. Their work ethic and way to conduct business and interact with clients were invaluable skills I still bring to every job opportunity that comes my way. Most importantly once you secure a job and new client, how to keep that client as a lifelong customer thru hard work, great communication and going beyond expectations. Read more>>

Adrian Labra

There are plenty of stories I could tell that perfectly encapsulate the way my parents encouraged my brothers and I to see the power of our musical talents growing up. Each of those stories ultimately would help to build our confidence as musicians, performers, and people. In my own personal musical journey, there is one story in particular that I often think back on. Read more>>

 Hazel Calderon

My Father Sergio T Calderon and Mother Maria del Carmen Calderon, taught me to strive for excellent. They encouraged me to pursue my dreams through hard work and dedication. When I first expressed my desire to compete in the Miss Nicaragua Pageant, My Mother said “Yes, Let’s go for it.” My parents have supported me in every a person can be supported. Forever Grateful Read more>>

Rosalind Smith Cross

My parents gave me the freedom to explore what interested me, without judgement or pressure to perform. And when I expressed interest in something, they provided the tools, coaching, teaching and encouragement I needed to be successful. When I started piano lessons as a seven year old, they realized the importance of a good instrument on which to learn. My parents had very limited means, but they got me a very high quality piano, which I think took them 10 years to pay off. Read more>>

Veronica Grim

My father – Jim Strickler- taught me that if you pursue your passions and take action to live your dreams, you will stay young and vital. He is a television camera operator, working primarily in Major League Baseball, but with a long history of shooting almost any kind of sporting event you can think of. He pursued this career because he loves being around the games and has grown to love the guys he works with. Read more>>

Melanie Lech

When I was younger, our house was a zoo of chaos – we had eight rats, three dogs, lizards, turtles, frogs, fish, and a balance beam smack dab in the middle of the front room. There was too much ADD to function, and despite outbursts and occasional explosions, it was one of my favorite places to be. Read more>>

Krissy Love

My parents recognized the innate and natural connection to music from birth. With this, everything was taught to me through rhythm and song. Getting older and verbally expressing my love for music and dance, purchases of CDs, cassette tapes, VHS videos, stereos, drum sets, keyboards, etc allowed me to connect with the innate talent of dance, writing music, singing/rapping. Read more>>

Cerita Limbrick

My mom is by far my biggest supporter! She did a LOT of things right, but I must say one of the things I value the most is my mother never put me in a box, She allow me to be me! Read more>>

Mariel Reyes

What my parents did right was make a strong woman. Strong women aren’t born. They’re made. I have watched both of my parents work for the life they have. My mom doesn’t have a degree but does very well for herself in the hospice world. Marketing yourself takes confidence and sacrifice, and she showed me that. Her strength is astonishing. Read more>>

Joseph Lalonde

I know not everyone has amazing parents. But mine have been pretty special. They’ve loved and cared for me and my siblings. But one of the things I think about often is the way my father instilled his thoughts about finances into my life. It’s been one of the best things he ever did for me and my family. Read more>>

Jesse Males

Growing up we didn’t have much. My dad was a carpenter/building contractor and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. I come from a large family with 3 brothers and plenty of other friends and family members that stayed with us from time to time. One thing I learned from my parents is that no matter what you are doing you need to do it with all your heart. If you set out to do something halfway then isn’t worth doing in the first place. There simply is no substitute for hard work. Read more>>

 Ben Cline

My parents are amazing! They’ve had a huge influence on my career and on the decisions I’ve made. Both my parents are teachers by trade. They made the difficult decision for my mom stay at home to raise and school my siblings and me in our early years. I attribute many of my abilities to the foundation she laid for me in our schooling (as an English teacher, I’m always watching for what grammatical mistakes I might be making…).Read more>> 

Gerardo Urias

My parents taught me unconditional love, the value of health and faith, and taught me how to be strong and continue chasing my dreams.  They are truly an inspiration for me Read more>>

Brianna Lyman

My parent’s have always been extremely supportive of my artistic endeavors! From a very young age I wanted to participate in the Arts. I remember my parents paying for voice lessons, dance classes, art classes, and all of the high school clubs and teams I was on. My parents also paid my tuition while I went to college to earn my BFA. Read more>>

 Joe Heath

My parents always encouraged me to pursue my creative endeavors. They would act in my films. They would grab a mic or a camera. They’d make props. My dad would make posters. They have helped in pretty much every way possible from financial to emotional. And they still do! Read more>>

Melanie Anderson

I have always made a living using my artistic abilities in some way. My parents set me up for success as a creative at a young age. I was encouraged to draw and paint before I started elementary school. They provided me with plenty of crayons, Play-Doh and craft materials as a kid. My mom took my sister and I to the local Ben Franklin regularly to pick out some type if craft making kit. Read more>>

Rachel Trignano

My mother and grandparents read to me pretty much as often as I asked them to — even if it was the same story, over and over again. I’m forever grateful for it. I loved reading and drawing, and my mother was a huge source of encouragement for both. (It doesn’t hurt that she’s a reader, too.) Read more>>

Lynn Tanaka

I wouldn’t be where I am – without my parents support throughout the years, but especially when I was young. My parents always supported my artistic endeavors, by providing me with tools to learn about art, and provided me with the best art education. One of my fondest memories was going to the art museum with my Dad. We would spend hours looking and talking about art, and it gave me a great foundation to build my art appreciation on. Read more>>

Sara Walkenbach

I grew up in a -what people today would say – strict household. My parents both worked and expected my siblings and I to do the same when we were of age. When we got our first job, we were expected to pay for our car insurance, gas money, and clothing. At the time, I thought my parents were mean. My friends always had nicer clothes than I did, their parents would pay for all their things. However, now I am so grateful for the way I was raised. I was taught to work hard, save my money, and spend it on the things that I needed. Read more>>