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.

Tara Duncan

My mom was a single parent for most of my childhood, and because of this sometimes she wasn’t home to spend quality time with my sister and myself the way that I wanted her to. But we also never wanted for anything. The things we needed we had. My mom worked hard. She was in the medical field for over 32 years, she was very sweet but strict. She wanted us to have a good education and be successful. Coming from a childhood of growing up in Jamaica and not getting the chance to go to college, education was something she instilled in us. She also told us if you want something bad enough you get out there and work for it. My mom worked 3 jobs at one point to take care of us and I definitely enherited that trait from her. Read more>>

Sophia Avramides

My parents, like many Greeks in the US, are restaurant entrepreneurs. As a kid, I watched as my parents showed my brother, sister and I the definition of “hard work”, quite literally, as they gave their all day after day for a business that was oftentimes challenging. The restaurant industry is notoriously one of the most difficult to be in – it requires so much physical and emotional energy and effort. I still look back on my childhood and teenage years and wonder how my parents managed to own, operate, work in, and manage a full-time restaurant and staff while raising three kids. Read more>>

Holly Curby

Wow! This is quite the loaded question. HA! My parents are one of my biggest blessings – they truly set a solid foundation for me on which to grow, be a woman of strong morals, beliefs, values and integrity. They set a beautiful example for me of selfless love, sacrifice, genuine care, hospitality, forgiveness and most of all – faith. They have always cheered me on, provided boundaries and structure to help protect and guide me, and just led by example in how they lived their daily lives. Read more>>

Scott Steiner

I love this question and I never pass up an opportunity to brag on my Mom, aka the Legend, aka the Honey Queen, aka Anna! She’s done so many things right and I wouldn’t be close to the man I am without her. She raised me on her own for most of my life and sacrificed so much for me along the way. This taught me to be resilient and grateful. Read more>>

Keith Wallace

Let by example Showed us what being a good person looks like Treat people the way you want to be treated Always strived to better yourself Helped others Read more>>

Brian Albert Vega

Values. My parents instilled solid values in me from childhood. Respect, hard work, and love, most importantly. Like, my parents always stressed the importance of the little things — holding the door for someone, thanking people for everything, picking something up if someone drops it. That kind of stuff. Plus, since we’re Filipino, saying “po” at the end of sentences when talking to elders. It’s like saying “ma’am” or “sir” here in the States. Read more>>

Shahed Mohseni Zonoozi

It centers around their belief that everyone possesses the seed of greatness within, waiting to flourish when nurtured in the right environment. As a child, my parents granted me the freedom to explore my interests and noticed my natural inclination for innovation and a deep desire to apply what I learned to achieve or create something meaningful. Fortunately, they recognized that traditional schooling alone might not be the best way to nurture these qualities. Instead, they supported my exploration of how life and the universe work beyond conventional social norms. Read more>>

Elle Kennedy

My mom is a single mother who made it perfectly clear that anything is possible once you have the correct mindset. Growing up, i’ve watched my mom do everything herself. She seemed to make everything work out and she took care of us very well. As children sometimes we think that everything just comes to us when we need it. As I grew older, I saw more and more of what my mom sacrificed for us to grow up with everything we that needed to. She showed us a perfect example. I didn’t realize this until I became a mother myself. Read more>>

Edwin Yaeger

My parents always pushed me to follow my dreams from a young age. I started taking classical piano lessons at the age of 8 and continued until I was 16 years old. Although I stopped taking lessons, little did I know that this was just the beginning of music for me. I started writing a good amount of songs while also starting my own band. Through it all my parents have supported me since and even pushed me to attend Belmont University in Nashville, TN, also known as, Music City, USA. Read more>>

Christopher Thompson

I often say that my parents are the extremes of me. However, one thing that they both instilled in me is to always be a person of good character. I often say that people will remember you for who you are not what you did and respectful people are always respected. As an artist, I’ve always focused on creating the best images I can but I as a person my goal each day is to be a man of faith and someone who always tries to lift people. Read more>>