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.

Munish Batra

I was born and raised in my early life in a village in India which had neither running water or electricity. My parents foresight in immigrating to the United States, to give their children better opportunity, was both risky and courageous. Both of those are both attributes that my parents have instilled in their children. Read more>>

Bharvi Soni

Karma and resilience are some of the top lessons my parents taught me. I worry all the time about the unknown, my mom who is my best friend in the world, had been diagnosed with auto immune kidney failure IgA nephropathy and is on waitlist for a kidney transplant. Read more>>

Janna Marmon

My parents did a lot of things right, but one thing in particular that they did REALLY right, was inspire me. My parents are 2 of the hardest working people that I know, but it’s not because they are workaholics. It’s because they are driven by passion and enthusiasm. Even as retirees, they wake up every single morning with a can-do attitude and are ready to tackle the day. Read more>>

Jennifer Chinn

My parents were supportive in every way possible. They allowed me to experiment with different career paths, ideas, and experiences. They allowed me to make decisions and see the successes and failures of them. That is what most impacted my career and allowed me to become and get to where I am now. They are my biggest cheerleaders, and my biggest critics and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Read more>>

Isaiah Navarro

Growing up my parents also loved movies. They would take me and my siblings out to the theaters whenever they could and would also show us movies they liked watching when they were younger. Years and years of playing The Iron Giant 24/7 in our household would become this huge bundle of kindle really to explode into a bonfire. The spark being when my parents got our first home computer. Read more>>

Kelly Miller

My parents taught me a great deal about work ethic and never giving up. My dad worked hard… I remember going to his office on the weekends with him so he could get more of his to-do list done and how he was not impressed when I blew up the office microwave attempting to heat up a Capri Sun, haha! Read more>>

Harriet Silverstein

My parents taught by example. They were great sources of information because they always kept learning, doing, reading and growing throughout their lives and shared their knowledge generously. Because we lived near NYC, they started taking me to museums from a very early age and I loved it. They both constantly emphasized the importance of education and deep appreciation of all of the arts. This love for knowledge was part of them, as individuals. It was genuine. I learned from an early age that it’s a great thing to love a work of art so much that you just had to talk about it, with the people that understand you best. Read more>>

Mathew Woods

I come from really humble beginnings. Growing up, my parents worked hard to ensure we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. Cliche right? Growing up, most of my friends and family rented houses or apartments but had air conditioning, cable TV/satellites, relatively newer cars, gaming systems, electronics, etc. My parents decided that owning a piece of property was more important than the other amenities and that it was of utility. Read more>>

Abdurrahman Danquah

I thank the Lord Almighty everyday that I am blessed with the loving and supporting family that I have. While growing up, my father always told me to go into a career that would make me happy and content in life. He sat me down one day and told me this: Read more>>

Kim Fredrickson

My parents always listened to me. I was a chatterbox. I would sometimes wait for them to wake up, so I could tell them my dreams. I would actually stand by their bed, waiting. Nevertheless, they were patient, had senses of humor and always encouraged me to be me. My father was especially good at understanding my confusion as a teenager. Read more>>

Justin Dominguez

My parents did a lot of things right, but what resonated most with me is the idea that anything is possible. When I was a kid and wanted to be power ranger, they said, “be the best damn power ranger there is.” Obviously fighting crime and the monochromatic spandex outfit were not in my future, but the idea that whatever I put my mind to, I could do. That stuck with me. When I started making cakes, their approach was the same. Read more>>

Skylar Jackson

In most instances, when a child expresses they want to go into the arts, it’s discouraged and met with opposition. I’ve had other adults tell me, “What’s your backup plan?” and “You need a job that will make you REAL money.” I was blessed to have two parents that never told me that. Not only did they encourage me to follow my dreams, they enrolled me an acting classes, gave me opportunities to use and develop my talents, and supported all of my performances. Read more>>

Ashley Rawlins

God gave me the best parents anyone could ask for. They were always loving and supportive but understood the importance of letting me figure things out for myself and live my life. From a young age, my father knew that I had it in me, the grit, the hustle, the willpower and desire to succeed. So, he challenged me. He would push me to excel in school and in athletics. I remember during my childhood; I was bribed if I received A’s in school. Read more>>

Cherice Jackson

Pregnant as a teenager and having to start her adult life as a mother was probably very scary; however, my mother completely conquered parenthood. Somehow she was able to able to parent me without her own ego getting in either of our ways. While I know she had dreams of her own that she had to forfeit, she never forced her dreams on me. She made certain that I understood my own gifts and my own passions without consideration of a desired financial outcome. Repeatedly she would validate that as long as I did what I loved, the money would surely follow. She anchored me in the belief that my gifts would make room for me. Read more>>

Jennifer Norman

They taught me to be kind, always! Throughout my career I have met so many different people from different walks of life. Being a photographer, I photograph these people during some of the most wonderful moments of their lives. I’ve listened to them talk about how businesses have turned them away because of their views, color of their skin, cultures, etc. and for me I could never imagine treating a person differently for who they are. My parents literally gave the shirts off their backs for people they hardly knew while I was growing up and I couldn’t imagine living any other way. I want to capture people in all their forms and walks of life. Read more>>

D’Kirah Atkinson

I come from Mississippi where to many, it was nothing, but to me it was and still is everything. My parents are both from Mississippi and come from a very stern background as far as family goes. My upbringing was pretty much like theirs as far as making sure that I become a respectable woman. Many things my parents instilled in me were to always respect myself, you can turn nothing into something, and to never give up. Constantly remembering those words has helped mold me into the person I am today. Read more>>

Alix Barth

I definitely got the “entrepreneurial gene” as both of my parents are entrepreneurs. My mom is a successful Landscape Architect – she got started by mowing lawns. I remember going to work with her when I was little and dancing in people’s driveways while she maintained their yard. She grew her business from there into the success it is today. I believe it was good for me to witness her working her way up… Starting where she could and building to what she actually WANTED. Most success, I’m learning, isn’t handed to us. We rarely know the stories behind what got someone to the success they are today. Read more>>

Olivia Abtahi

My parents ALWAYS encouraged me to read. We didn’t have a ton of resources growing up, but buying me books was always a priority. We went to the library every week and when I’d run out of books they’d happily drive me back. Read more>>

Paula D’Elía

My parents always respected me as an individual and also respected my choices. They allowed me to have wings. That helped me to be deeply in touch with my inner self, being able to listen to what I really wanted in life and what risks I wanted to take, They believe in me and supported me, even in my decision to move and immigrate to a different country for good. My mom also taught me how to cook with love, That was my inspiration to write my first Book. Read more>>

Miaya Hodges

My mother has always gave me the space to be creative, and to have an open mind. I always had a different style, and my mom always embraced that. I love her for that! Read more>>

Tina Saw

My parents never let me play hooky. They never let me call in sick. Growing up, there were no excuses for anything. I never got to sleep in. As soon as 6 a.m. hit, I could hear my mom loudly walking upstairs and telling my sister and I to wake up. Read more>>

Melanice Perkins

The things that Mom did right was she gave me life. Perhaps, the better way to say this is she allowed me to Live. Due to the circumstances in which I came about many woman would have perhaps, chosen to abort me due to the re-traumatization when they looked at me. Read more>>

Jessica Berg

There’s very little (if anything??) I can think of that my parents did “wrong.” I realize that’s an unusual thing to say or believe, but it’s true. They gave me what I needed and also taught me gratitude – just by being grateful. They generally didn’t tell me what to do or give me concrete advice. When I was trying to make a decision they offered, “We know you’ll do the right thing.” It did feel like a lot of pressure, but also gave me the freedom and responsibility to figure out what was right. My instinct today is to “do the right thing.” Read more>>

Rhona Rubio

Growing up, my parents did missions work and pastored. They were always quick to follow where they felt we should be (as a family) in each season of life. I think that has impacted and shaped me as an adult. Read more>>

Jenny Thelwell

This seems to be simple to answer. What my parents did right, was what they did wrong. See everyone thinks that being a role model is showing someone the “right” things to do. My parents did a lot of wrong things, but they were my role models. Sure, they also taught me manners, gave me morals and ethics to live by. However as an adult, I realize the biggest lessons I learned were the ones that came with adversity and pain. Read more>>

Jenna Evelhair

Where to start? From the moment I looked at my mother as a child and said “I want to make crafts just like you”, she made certain I had a paint brush, scrap wood, rocks, crayons or whatever we could find to create with close by. Growing up, I bounced around from hobby to hobby. This trend began in early childhood and continued up until my late teens, early twenties when curiosity led me to pick up a crochet hook. Read more>>

Jamie Gaston

My parents provided stability, trust, determination, communication, praise, a unconditional loving home and they supported my dreams & ideas. They just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. I always saw them working hard and never giving up, they worked together always finding a way. I am a Colorado native who was born & raised in Longmont. Read more>>

Kayley Thompson

I’m glad that my parents homeschooled me, and I definitely feel that was something they did right. They were able to spend more time with me, and I feel like I learned so much about life, history, and knowledge of and appreciation for the past. I also got to watch so many movies throughout my childhood and teenage years, that I wouldn’t have been able to, had I gone to a public school. I and my parents shared a love of film, particularly classic films. These films inspired me to want to act, dance, be creative, and learn more about history. Read more>>

Shauntreis Sproles

In my early childhood years I was taught and have always embraced the moral principle “treat people how you would want to be treated.” Many of us have heard this saying, but my teaching was deeper than that. Instead of just being a fleeting. Read more>>

Cortney C.

My mom always taught me from a young age the importance of working towards your dreams and goals. Watching her set and complete her own personal goals showed me that anything is possible. Set backs will happen but it is how you react to them is what really defines you. I watched her raise me alone, while working full time and maintaining a household. Read more>>