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.

Annie Anna

In summary, my parents are good role models, and they support me unconditionally. They did a great job of encouraging my creative expression, and they were happy to support me throughout those endeavors. While I was still in Kansas getting started, whether or not I was playing a show in town or two hours away, my parents would always be there in the crowd. If I had a show with bad turnout, I could always count on them taking two of the seats and staying there for the entire performance. Read more>>

Dr. Novi

I love this question. As creatives/artists we know all too well the trope of an artist coming from an unsupportive household (likely due to the parents’ fear of the child becoming a “starving artist,” and living in their basement the rest of their life). I’m grateful that this isn’t MY experience. Parents don’t always get it right but I think it’s a beautiful practice to reflect on what they DID get right, so now to answer your question… Read more>>

Ally Case

One of my most vivid memories as a child is of my mom letting my siblings and I draw on the walls in our house. Our “playroom” walls were covered in abstract drawings in marker and crayon. Read more>>

Noa Nimrodi

I love this question! I feel like most of us usually tend to dwell on what our parents did wrong… thank you for giving me the opportunity to look back with gratitude. We aren’t always aware of the ways in which our parents raise us affect our choices, but I believe that in one way or another, we are all a product of our upbringing. My parents recognized pretty early on that I was a creative child, and looking back I appreciate that they nurtured my creativity, always making me feel like I was the artist in the family. Read more>>

Katy Ward

My dad told us that anything was possible for us, and we could create anything we felt called to. His motto was ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ so he taught us to be resourceful as well. I think I learned from him that no barrier is a brick wall, and no knowledge gap should stop me either. He taught me how to learn quickly and think critically, to question the ‘conventional route’ or conventional way of thinking. Read more>>

Angela Paul

I come from a working class family in Yorkshire England and my parents had to struggle to make ends meet. Both my parents wanted me to have access to a better, easier life than they had. But funds for going to university were non existent, but I knew I wanted to travel and I knew that I always had their emotional support and encouragement. Read more>>

Lena Dechamps

My parents are perfect duals sides to a seamless parenting coin. My father: a focused (true) german engineer who felt to earn an allowance as a 4 year old was the perfect time to learn to balance a checkbook and my mother, the gentlest woman who’s work in the local theatre meant we spent afternoons doing homework under set design and those day’s notes. Both German, moving to the states a year before my twin and I was born (my father claims another feat of german engineering, to birth children in 2 – a pure example of productivity and efficiency) they were disciplined in their child rearing. Read more>>

Emma Hoffmann

I credit a lot of my success to my mother. When I was a child/teenager, she never questioned my path when I said I wanted to be an artist. Instead, what she did was provide an environment where I could thrive. She encouraged my creative passions by signing me up for and driving me to art classes, buying the best materials, and most importantly she never told me I couldn’t be an artist as a career. Read more>>

Dee Divakaran

My Indian parents’ blend of traditional values and support for my artistic pursuits has been a guiding light in my career in the arts. Their wisdom, encouragement, and emphasis on hard work have allowed me to navigate the challenges of pursuing a creative path while staying true to my passions and principles in life. While Asian education systems may prioritize learning from memory, my parents encouraged creative thinking and expression. Read more>>

Lucas Roelen

I owe so much of what I have been able to accomplish to my parents. Having a mother and a father who brought very different perspectives to the table, I was able to develop an ability to be able to view everything I do or that happens to me from several perspectives. My mother was always the more patient one and my father is the one that moves with haste in a decision. Read more>>

Amber Olsen

My parents are amazing. The work ethic I have now is a direct result of what I learned from them. We weren’t just given things we wanted, we were given opportunities to work to get the things we wanted. For example, when I was in elementary school I wanted the new iPod, I went in to talk to my dad about how much I wanted it and his response was, “yeah, of course you can have one!” I was so excited. Read more>>

Taylor Leverett

My parents certainly taught me important life skills in terms of fending for myself and how to handle tough situations that may arise. I’m appreciative of my parents for teaching me something as simple as how to cook or write a check. It’s funny because as a child you do not see the importance of those valuable life lessons/skills until you become an adult and you have to use them in every aspect of life. I’m so thankful for that! Read more>>

Megan Blanchard

My parents used to let me experiment artistically with absolutely no boundaries. I remember making a smoothie out of milk, Otter Pops, chocolate syrup, and bubble gum. It sounds disgusting, but the point is, I was creatively unrestricted. I used to build castles from cardboard boxes and egg cartons, and my dad would actually bring home recycled garbage from the grocery store for me to use! Read more>>

Sierra Price

My parents opened my eyes to a life I never thought possible. They made my dreams a reality. Although it didn’t start out as a perfect fairytale, what I can say is that they are the reason I am the business owner I am today. Growing up, I wasn’t awarded the opportunity to live the perfect “American Dream,” as it was called back then. Read more>>

Melissa Miller

My parents did a lot of things right, to be honest. But from a songwriting perspective, my parents have always – since I can remember – fostered my creativity. They made so many home videos of me singing my heart out as a little kid, and when I was a teenager, they bought me my first guitar as a birthday gift. Also as a teenager, I bought a ton of different colored permanent markers and scribbled song lyrics all over my dresser and bookshelf. Read more>>

Joanne Mosconi Piano

Growing up, I had the immense privilege of being raised by two incredible parents who not only loved what they did but also instilled in me valuable lessons that have shaped my life. My mom, a dedicated 3rd-grade school teacher, taught me the true value of education, organization, and discipline from an early age. I remember her passion for teaching, evident in every conversation we had. She never referred to it as “work” but instead as “going to teach.” Read more>>

Ashley McCarthy

They definitely instilled in me in the belief of doing my best and believing in my talents. All throughout growing up, they supported my love for the arts and anything creative. That motivated me to keep persisting in my passions. Read more>>

Beth MacNeil Stinson

My parents were very supportive of my interest in art and all my creative endeavors. My dad had always wanted to be a painter and he loved opera. He always felt he had more appreciation than talent so he used his creativity in business instead. What he did do was expose to me his love of painting and music. Read more>>

Justine Cohen

My parents supported my curious mind and fostered healthy independence in me. I was always taking extra classes to supplement my education and explore special interests. This taught me to follow my highest excitement and feed my mind, not worrying about the outcome. Learning for learnings sake, Read more>>

Alfiya Glow

My parents played an instrumental role in my musical journey, and their unwavering support has been invaluable. They recognized my passion for music and my talent for the violin at a very young age. Instead of dismissing it as a mere hobby, they took proactive steps to nurture my talent. Read more>>

Franziska Pugh

My high school senior night was composed of re-used casino decorations and gambling tables. My choice? Blackjack. I did poorly – mostly because of my decision to trust the dealer, and perhaps the universe, to give me the cards I needed rather than using a winning strategy. Read more>>

Hannah Hernandez