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.

Rachel Jeanette

My parents did an amazing job of letting me try all kinds of sports and extracurricular activities. Although sports was definitely NOT my gift, I did love being active and I think that helped me when I started emerging into the stunt world in film. I am so thankful that on the side of being a working actor, model, and singer at such a young age, they kept me very grounded. Read more>>

Lyss Gunther

I’m very fortunate that I have a kind, loving and supportive mom. She taught me to always give whatever I’m doing my best effort, that failing was ok – learn from it, but most importantly to treat EVERYONE with respect regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status etc. Inside we are all the same. Read more>>

Sophie Taylor

My parents are such a gift! They have impacted my life in the most tremendous ways and continue to do so to this day. Of the many lessons they taught me, the most important was to live my life for God. I was raised in a Christian home and am forever grateful to my parents for introducing me to my Savior and showing me how to walk in His ways regardless of our circumstances. Read more>>

Deidre Ferenc

I feel very fortunate that my parents set a healthy example for my siblings and I when we were kids. Both of my parents worked out regularly and made it a point to talk to us about good nutrition. We had treats and sweets on occasions, but the importance of fruits and veggies and fueling our body with good foods was a frequent conversation at the dinner table. Read more>>

Erin Winter Raymond

My father is a unique man. He is quite possibly one of the smartest and most creative people I know… not necessarily creative in the “traditional” sense (i.e.: art, baking, theatre, etc.) but he can solve nearly any problem. Being the oldest boy out of 6 children, he also grew up with a strong sense of independence, and that is something that he and my mother really tried to instill in me while growing up. Read more>>

Kat Torre

They made me aware of how big the world really is. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a third-culture kid, I was exposed to multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese, as well as diverse cuisines and customs. My mother and both of my grandmothers were immigrants, which instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to honor the sacrifices that brought my brother and me to a land of opportunity. Read more>>

Mary Zalla

I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, the oldest daughter of ten children. Needless to say, there were lots of responsibilities. The older kids were expected to help with the younger ones, and of course, there was always work to be done.. We raised beef cattle, corn, hay and tobacco, and I raised horses. Farmers are, by definition, very resourceful.  Read more>>

Marcos Rocha

What my parents did right was show me what unconditional love and support looks like. They came from a humble part of Guanajuato, Mexico, and have never been big city people despite briefly living in LA with my older brother shortly before I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, which was more their speed. Read more>>

Adia Jamille

Growing up my mother always expressed the importance of doing something that you love. She would say, “If all the jobs paid the same, what would you choose? And that’s what you should do.” She explained to me that money can only do so much. Read more>>

Monty Uhlhorn

My dad has been a business owner in the automotive industry for a long time. Early on he taught me how to work on cars and restore them. This made me fall in love with anything related. Early on I wanted to open my own body and paint shop but as I did more of it I realized it wasn’t for me. Read more>>

Sandra Guadarrama- Baumunk

My parents filled my world with love and confidence. They cheered for my brother and me, always believing in our wildest dreams. As a military kid, moving around was tough, but it also taught me to be strong and fearless. Read more>>

Anna Svetchnikov

My parents never pushed me toward a specific career, but they instilled in me values that have shaped my path. My father, a journalist, taught me Socrates’ Triple Filter Test: before speaking, ask yourself – Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? This simple framework taught me empathy and respect, which are essential in my work as a therapist. Read more>>

Nina Demarchi

My parents created me for the world and not for themselves. I see many people whose parents don’t let them go far, always want them around and want to protect them from the world. This leads to co dependent people who feel like they can’t create their own lives. Read more>>

Elisa Serrano

There were a lot of things my parents got wrong – but supporting my origins as a creative wasn’t one of them. I remember my mom taking me to the salon in elementary school when I decided I wanted pink hair – since I was raised in a conservative religious household, as an adult I appreciate the ways my parents supported my creative side even more. Read more>>

Caroline Lekström

I grew up in a small village surrounded by lakes and forests in Sweden. 2 hours south of Stockholm, it was still close enough to the bigger cities and opportunities to pursue my singing dreams. I was always a loud tomboy that had to be centre of attention…in my family, on the dressage arena with my borrowed pony Kirando, in the local news paper, in school, on the land hockey field with the boys… Read more>>

Alexina Graham

My mother always made me feel like anything was possible, that whatever I put my mind to, dreams could come true. When this new path unfolded for me into the spiritual world, she was excited for me and very open to me sharing every moment that came along with it. Read more>>

Tony M Fountain

Although my father and I don’t always see eye to eye, one of the best things he did for me was allow me to struggle earlier on in life when he could have bailed me out. This taught me resilience and allowed me to identify my weaknesses but also find my own strength to push forward and overcome extremely difficult times in my personal life, which later helped with my entrepreneurial endeavors. Read more>>

Becca Ayers

My parents were super encouraging of both my sister, Heather (who is, also, in show business) and I growing up. My dad always had the secret desire to be an artist, and they both allowed us to flourish in theater and dance. They started me in dance lessons in Great Bend, Kansas with an amazing teacher name Karyl Morrison when I was five. Read more>>

Mika Clark

My mom, Angela Clark provided an amazing example of being the best version of yourself in any situation. She knew how to make life look good. She always pushed me to be the best and her support and encouragement was unmatched. Before I knew I wanted to get into the social services and mental health industry, I saw my mom operate as an unofficial social worker and therapist. Read more>>

Cameron McCarty

I have been blessed with the most amazing parents and family one could have. I believe there are so many elements that go into raising children and having a family, and my parents have done a wonderful job of balancing all of the factors. Read more>>

Samantha Simone

My parents have done so many things right that have had a positive impact on my life and career. First, my parents always let me and my sister do what we loved. Whether that was dance, sports, or acting for me, or drums, horse back riding or cooking for my sister – they allowed us to go after our passions. If we ever said, “Mom and Dad I don’t want to do this anymore” they also supported that choice. Read more>>

Devin Dowell

First off, I have the best parents anyone could ask for. I think growing up in an environment where you feel safe and loved is what made me feel confident and gave me the chance to help build others in my work. I know we’ve had our up and downs but truly they’ve been nothing but supportive with any decision I’ve had to make in my career. Read more>>

Kaye Henry

Let me start by saying I love and respect my parents a whole lot. I think I made parenting easy for them for the most part. My parents both professionals in their own right, allowed me to be myself. They never stopped me from being me. I had freedom within limits. It’s something I teach parents in parenting groups. Give your children freedom but within the limits of what you are okay with. Read more>>

Kathryn Ikle

My parents instilled in me the importance of critical thinking from a young age. They taught me to question everything, never accept things at face value, and always look for creative solutions when faced with obstacles. When a door seemed to close, they encouraged me to think outside the box—finding a window to climb through instead. Read more>>

Liza Libes

I come from a post-Soviet family and was the first person in my family to be born in America. In the Soviet Union, it was standard to become an engineer, and because most Soviet immigrants in the U.S. have deep trauma from the socialist system, they often push their children into lucrative careers such as engineering, law, medicine, or finance. Read more>>

Matt DeHart

My parents demonstrated what it means to serve others before yourself. Being a third-generation educator, I watched my entire family dedicate their lives to the benefit of other people’s children. It was inspiring and still is inspiring for me to see former players and students come up to my parents and call them their parents. Read more>>

Emily Alexandra Guglielmo

Growing up as a child my parents were extremely loving to my sister and I… My father was a merchant marine and would sale for many months at a time. My mom was a grant writer and architect which would I have her travel Out of town many times throughout the year… But even so, they both loved my sister and I dearly and showed affection, and I know that really traveled into my adolescent ears and now as an adult. Read more>>

Shavi Bash

Coming from a multi-national home, the perspectives that my Argentine mother and Israeli father exposed me and my younger brother to fostered a deep sense of self-worth that continues to inspire my teaching techniques today. As early as I can remember, my father would create extraordinary stories about dragons, knights, and the kingdoms that were represented on the chess board. Read more>>

Tina Biebl

My parents immigrated from Germany in the 1950s. They survived WWII and came to the US for a fresh new start. My father said if we don’t make it in 5 years we go back. They built a wonderful life in the states and were the best example of hardwork, teamwork, courageousness, love, and morality I could have ever had. Read more>>