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.

Eva Katherine Coder

My parents are incredibly moral folks. They always demonstrated that honesty, kindness, integrity, and fairness were important qualities in having an upright life. Looking back on my upbringing having spent 25 years in the world as an adult, I really appreciate that they gave this example as there are many folks in the world who do not. I can imagine if I had been raised by less moral people then I would have a skewed understanding of what it means to be in right relations. My parents tell the truth. They did not lie to us growing up and they do not lie to others outside of our family. Seeing them be honest showed me that I also must be honest. Even when it seems like being less honest is best because I might lose something important, I tell the truth and trust that this is for my greater good. Read more>>

John Joven

That’s a wonderful question. You know, we are all shaped by our childhood—by environmental circumstances, relationships, and friends. But above all, the invaluable support, love, guidance, and kindness of our parents form the cornerstone for building confidence and becoming a meaningful part of society. I can now say that my parents, despite finding walls covered in scribbles, marker-drawn characters on tables, and stained clothes, saw an artist in me (even if just a budding one) and did everything they could to nurture my fledgling skills. They supported me with courses, books, comics, art materials, and, most importantly, the freedom to grow my artistic vision without any prejudice against the artist’s life. Instead, they focused on paving the best path to ensure I could pursue my dream. I love them dearly. Thank you so much, Cielo and Manuel! Read more>>

Whitney Root

My parents raised me on 15+ acres in backwoods Tennessee. They valued living close to the land, with a few trustworthy friends, and a bible in hand. Growing up, I was taught how to garden. Once I turned 18, I wanted to do things on my own, of course. It only took me 10 years to realize the simple life is where it’s AT! So, I picked up gardening again – but it’s so much different now. I don’t have 15+ acres. I started in an apartment. I had to learn how to be a plant lady by starting small. Being in a rental home, I needed to find temporary solutions. So, I started with some raised beds. Needless to say, the rest is history. I realized I could literally help other people do this!!  My parents are incredibly proud of me. They see how much I’m helping others simplify their technology, city-ridden lives with connection to nature.  So, my parents definitely raised me right – with strong memories of simplicity that I went back to once life got crazy hard. Read more>>

Kail Limb

My parents have always been supportive, but in a realistic way. My dad was a trumpet player so naturally I followed in his footsteps, eventually, I decided that there was something about being a musician I just really enjoyed and I needed to make it my career. When I went off to college to study trumpet performance, my dad was supportive but encouraged me to consider the education path for the sake of job security. Eventually I realized that I’m really happy when I get to teach others, and I’m grateful for that gentle nudge by my father. My whole family has always been encouraging, they’re proud that I’ve been working on my degree and are excited for when I finally get a teaching job. But in regards to the Big Band, it’s every bit as supported. When I came to my dad with this idea, he was instantly invested and became my right hand man, he found us a rehearsal space and helped put together a lot of the music that we play. If it wasn’t for my dad I think this would have fallen apart pretty quickly. He helped me build momentum in the early stages of the band, and I couldn’t be any more thankful for that. Read more>>

Amanda Centeno

My parents are amazing people; the way that they have stayed committed to themselves as individuals and seek to be of service to their community is unparalleled. The things they have done right are countless, but I will narrow it down to three main ones.  1. They got divorced. I know this may not seem like a typical answer, but the fact that they committed to providing me with an upbringing full of love and peace in fraught circumstances is the reason I believe in love, in people’s capacity to change, and in the unconventional. (Coincidentally, those are also the reasons I believe in art). Watching other friends grow up as collateral in their parents’ divorces (or in their parents’ loveless marriages), I know what a difficult commitment it was for my parents to make as the one they held for years was severed. As they entered into different romantic partnerships and my sister was born, the road of integrating everyone was not always easy. But my dad celebrated his bachelor birthdays with my mom, stepdad, sister, and me. My mom and my dad’s girlfriend greet each other with laughter, catching up about the Filipino community gossip. My mother saved a box of memories between her and my father for me to look at if I ever want to; my dad and I kept it safe and unopened as we organized my childhood mementos to keep and give away in the wake of selling my childhood home. Read more>>

Jamie Henderson

I was fortunate to have been raised by a remarkable woman who was not only my mother but also my rock and guiding light. As a single parent, she worked tirelessly to provide for me and instill in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. Losing my mother last year was a devastating blow, but it has also given me the opportunity to reflect on the profound impact she had on my life. One of the most important lessons I learned from her was the power of unconditional love and unwavering support. No matter what path I chose to take, my mother was there cheering me on, offering advice, and encouraging me to reach for the stars.  Read more>>

Briana Scott

Growing up every summer my parents sent me and my sister to stay at my grandparents house. My grandmother was a retired seamstress, she started teaching me to sew around the age of 6 or 7. I’m so grateful to have these experiences with my grandmother. She inspires me to continue honing my sewing skills. As i got older i remember seeing my Dad start different small businesses over the years. Both him and my mom worked really hard to make me and my sister were taken care of. I love and respect them so much for that. My parents and my grandmother are my inspiration!! When i think of them i want to be like them. My love for weddings and fashion come from my mom and sister. We loved watching say yes to the dress and 4 weddings together. This made me fall in love with creating my own bridal designs  Read more>>

Kanoelani Patterson

I think what my parents did right that impacted my life and career is show me that helping others isn’t about me it’s about them and how to take my ego out of situations. As a social worker and therapist this is so important because I am a “helper” and the example my parents showed me of what a “helper” looks like was pretty strong. This allowed me to see compassion and empathy in action. When I was growing up my parents were involved in the church and different ministries regarding the houseless population. They visited shelters and got involved in the community helping people figure out how to get their needs met and make changes to their lives that would impact them in a positive way . The way they approached it was in love & compassion and it honored the people’s humanity and autonomy that they were helping. It was a beautiful thing to grow up seeing . And now as a “helper” I do the same. Read more>>

Caitlyn Fox

I feel incredibly blessed to have the parents I do. Growing up, they always emphasized the importance of following our passions, a principle they’ve lived by themselves. They always told us to “do what you love”. My parents pursued their true callings, even when it meant going against societal or familial expectations. So they never pressured me or my siblings to conform to traditional norms. Of course, they wanted us to have an education and excel in life but they wholeheartedly supported whatever interests or hobbies we wanted to explore. Their unwavering support has been a constant source of inspiration in my life. Read more>>

Amy Mackey

My parents set high expectations—there was a consistent message that no matter what I chose to do, be that business, hobby, or passion, I better do it to the best of my ability. In everything I did, I was expected to give it my all, and that was the definition of success.  I didn’t have to love doing chores, or find joy in a part time job, or make a living doing what someone else defined as a “good job” but I did have to choose to put in every effort possible for the task at hand.  Even though my parents encouraged me to follow my heart and passions, they were very clear that I might have to work many jobs I didn’t enjoy along the way to support my creative endeavors. In their minds, as long as I was exceeding the minimum that was expected of me, I was going to ultimately find happiness because that extra effort would be rewarded. I have found that this principle, to do my best in everything I do, has made my life much more rewarding.  Read more>>

Loretta Saha

My parents, Meshack and Angela emphasized the value of education. They helped me appreciate the importance of learning, which set me up for both personal and professional success. They instilled a strong work ethic and sense of self-discipline early on that contributed to my accomplishments and consistency. These qualities have been essential for achieving my goals, and it’s clear they helped me develop the determination to follow through on starting a travel business. Read more>>

William O. Thompson Ii

My parents did so many things right, but if I had to sum it up, they instilled in me three core values that have shaped both my life and my career: being a man of my word, staying humble, and always remembering where I come from. From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of integrity. They made it clear that your word is everything—if you say you’re going to do something, you follow through. That sense of responsibility has been central to everything I do, whether it’s showing up for a client, staying true to my vision, or simply keeping promises to the people who support me. They never needed to say it more than once; their actions spoke volumes. My dad, in particular, always made sure I knew that no matter how far I went or what success I found, I should always be honest and stand by my commitments. Read more>>

Jawaher Albader

My parents never doubted my love for art making. They trusted me completely when it came to any act of choice regarding art. In fact they had a genuine respect for any art work that I made. Especially my mother, may her soul rest in peace. Sometimes my art is very direct , sometimes it would be in a form of a reactive painting made after a fight, or graffiti that I painted in my bedroom. Never did she criticize those pieces. When it was time to paint my bedroom, she specifically kept my ‘graffiti’ and painting around my piece. This was the greatest support my mother has given me. She honored every art believe like it was an extention of me. This gave me confidence and respect for other people’s creations. Art is a sacred individual endeavor. Read more>>

Jacquelyn Dara

My parents supported every part of my business journey—even before it truly began. From the moment I was born, I was blessed with two hands-on parents who loved me more than they thought possible. Growing up, they taught me to follow my heart and to always be kind. These values, along with many others, have shaped both my life and my business, Kind By Design NYC. They taught me to believe in myself and that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Though they understood life’s challenges, they encouraged me to focus on achieving anything I set my mind to. And they were right. While many around me chose the corporate path, I trusted my own path, confident it would lead me to where I was meant to be. Read more>>

Jordyn Walker

Reflecting on what my parents did right brings me back to how they taught me the value of resilience, kindness, and genuine connection—qualities that have shaped me as a person and as the owner of Lit Wix, my candle business. From an early age, my parents instilled in me the understanding that success doesn’t come overnight; it takes hard work, patience, and a dedication to connecting with others in a meaningful way. One of the best examples of this was in the beginning of Lit Wix. I was figuring everything out on my own: crafting each candle with care, handling the logistics, and finding ways to market the brand on a tight budget. Rather than giving direct advice, my parents shared stories from their own journeys, showing me that persistence through tough times and staying true to my values would help me grow, not just as an entrepreneur but as a person. They always reminded me that people remember how you make them feel, and that building trust and loyalty comes from creating a genuine connection. Read more>>

Chiaki Torisu

When I was a child, my father taught me how to connect with nature in a way that left a lasting impression on me. One lesson I vividly remember is when he introduced me to the fascinating tradition of spider fights. He would catch a spider from the grass and place it on either side of a tree branch, forming a T-shape. Then, he would release both spiders and watch them compete, testing their strength. The fight ended when one spider managed to wrap the other in silk—marking its victory. My job was to gently untangle the silk from the defeated spider and release it back into the wild. From this, I learned not only how to handle spiders and insects without fear, but also to admire their resilience and dependability. Through these simple but profound moments, my father taught me that while we should marvel at the wonders of nature, it is equally important to leave creatures as undisturbed as possible when we interact with their world. Read more>>

Tara Gray

I feel like my parents did several things right. I feel like they not only gave me a good foundation with God by sending me to private school, but they also taught me independence, critical thinking and about how to be a good parent. Read more>>