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.

Ploy Warisa Thepsurin

I am an only child who grew up in the North-Eastern part of Thailand. You might have heard or seen a meme of Asian parents expecting their child to be a doctor, an astronaut or whatsoever. My parents and grandma are different. They never care about my exam scores. They say they only want me to have two things in my life: one is moral and one is happiness, so basically just be whatever but a good and a happy person. Read more>>

Bridget Jones

My parents did a lot of things right, They were the children of immigrants and deeply believed that through hard work you could have a better life. They wanted my sister and I to feel that we could achieve anything we put our minds to and that we should not feel restricted because we were girls. I watched them stretch for financial goals like a house in a good neighborhood and it definitely affected they way I thought about money and debt. Read more>>

Joshua Maxwell

Even though I always believed I would be a doctor, my parents did not pressure me to be one. Instead, they instilled in me the right values, which steered me in the right direction. The seed for my faith in Christ was established as a kid. I learned the importance of helping others, being a positive influence, and relying on God to guide me. I realized my passion for music because I put God first. I transferred from Wake Forest University after my freshman year of college because I felt like my faith was moving in the wrong direction. I was scared to transfer, but I took the risk, and it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I could’ve made. I transferred to the University of Maryland College Park, and not only did my passion for music grow, but my faith grew as well. I was able to meet some great musicians and friends, and I created one of my favorite songs called “Doubt,” which I never would have made had I not transferred. I prayed a lot during this season of transition, and even though I was scared, I trusted God to guide me, and He did. My parents always had faith that God would lead them, and seeing their unwavering faith influenced my own. I am a teacher because I love inspiring the next generation. I try to inspire in the classroom and through my music, and I would not have this foundation without my parents. Read more>>

 Sydelle Aaliyah Bhalla

As a kid, you never understand what your parents do and why. Like ever. We think every decision they make is to make our lives less fun and more miserable. But, looking back, I realise that my parents are the reason I am where I am today. Every decision they made was to help me grow into the person I am today. Every lecture they ever gave (though I never wanted to hear them) sticks with me and influences my decisions. Every time they pushed me to jump off a cliff to a new experience, was to make sure I never backed down from a challenge purely out of fear. Read more>>

Pearl Ash

I would have to say my parents did right by showing me what life and hard work can do for you. My dad was a machinist. My mother was a nurse. They had different shifts, but we were a family and that meant a lot to me. There was a time in my life, where my mother fell ill. I was very young and my dad took over. I had two brothers and my dad to take Care of me. my brothers would comb my hair for me and my dad would cook. These were things they never did before my mother fell ill. But it made me realize that that was love there, My mother recovered and things were back to normal and they were there to support me while I was in school. I played sports I sang, I acted, I really enjoyed the love that I had from my family. Read more>>

Akinyi

My mom always used to say, “I was never the smartest, but I worked the hardest.” As the only creative in a family of professionals, I often felt like the odd one out, and starting my serious work in songwriting later in life made me feel like I was at a disadvantage. My mom is a doctor who trained in Kenya and, after we immigrated to Canada, had the determination to retrain all over again. It’s only in recent years that I’ve truly understood how deeply her influence has shaped me as an artist. Read more>>

Eddie Ness

From a very young age, I’ve always surrounded by a highly musical environment. I have my dad to thank for that. As a lifelong piano player, composer, and avid listener, my dad provided an incredibly rich musical foundation for me. He first taught me how to play piano when I was very young, and always encouraged me to take musical inspiration from every place I can find it. We listened to everything from Beethoven to Pink Floyd, Earth Wind and Fire to Pat Metheny and Miles Davis. It helped make me into a better-rounded musician. My dad also suggested I should start playing the bass, since my brother had recently started playing guitar at that point. My mom, though not musically inclined, has always been incredibly supportive of me and my musical journey. It was her idea to send me to Victor Wooten’s music theory camp in September of 2019, an experience that forever changed my musical trajectory. From there, I was inspired to apply to music school. I auditioned for CU Boulder’s Thompson Jazz Studies program in February 2020, and was accepted with a 100% tuition scholarship. I have my parents to thank for it all. Read more>>

Ellen Eagle

Not only did my parents do right, my brother did/does right, and my husband did/does right. When I was 4, my mother came upon a drawing in the living room that she assumed had been done by my 11 year old brother. When David told her that it was I who had drawn it, she took me in one hand and the drawing in the other and ran us down to the local art supply store. Throughout her life, her attention and support for my artwork never wavered. In addition, she set an example for me of her work ethic and her impeccable standards of precision in making her clothing patterns. My father had a compassionate and poetic sensibility that profoundly shaped my brother and me. My brother began his college studies at City College. In the neighborhood, he continually saw young teenagers carrying portfolios and musical instruments. He stopped one to inquire into the frequency of the sightings. The young musician told him “we go to the High School of Music and Art.” David then phoned me from his Upper West Side apartment. I quote him: “Ellen, I know where in this world you belong.” My husband gave me his entire inheritance from his mother to convert our dark one-windowed attic into a natural- light-filled cathedral of a studio. These four magnificent people blessed me with love, belief, support and opportunity. Read more>>

Kelly Reed

My parents always supported my passion for the arts. Whenever I explored something new — painting, violin, piano, even a fleeting ice skating phase — they made sure I had the tools to succeed. In college, when I chose screenwriting and film, they didn’t question it. They simply urged me to work hard and follow the path that felt right. Read more>>

Liz Zagone

My parents have always supported my creativity and my sensitivity. I’ve always gotten very overwhelmed in big crowds and as a kid, I would often cry and cling to my mom. She coined the phrase “Too Many People” Party and I still use it today. My parents celebrated all my art projects and performances. Making my mom laugh is one of my favorite things in the world. Read more>>

Macey Laurick

My parents instilled hard work from a young age. When my sister and I were old enough to get a job, it was mandatory, not necessarily for the money, but to help build hard work. When we went to college, we had to agree to a “contract”: sit in the front row, not skip class, get A’s or B’s, and take out a student loan of 30% of our college tuition. At the time, I didn’t realize how it created the mentality of having ‘skin the game,’ and I am forever grateful to them as these lessons provided me with the tools to be an entrepreneur and learn that nothing is handed to you. Read more>>

Sabrina Welch

I first learned how to spell on a napkin. Before kindergarten each morning, my father, Jeremy Welch, would take my sister and I to the Center Cafe in my neighborhood for breakfast. Breakfast was his favorite part of the day, and he made a great attempt to make it ours too. After sitting down at the counter to enjoy the exquisite daily delicacy of a muffin, my father would pull out a pen, and snag a napkin from the tin holder tucked at the side of the counter. This would be the start of a daily lesson. At first, we practiced spelling. Each day, a napkin would feature a singular letter, with rows of repetition of the strokes of each alphabetical character. Soon the napkins went on to feature new characters, of numbers and signs, forming basic arithmetic sequences and equations. With each napkin of the day, we were taught a new lesson, and immersed in a new, fascinating world of learning we were strangers to before. As we got older, math napkins turned into napkins with life lessons. Read more>>

Taijiro Arakawa

My parents were always strict with me. If I lied about anything and break my promise to my parents , they got mad at me. But, they are really patient and nurtured me with love. They made me realize what is the right thing to do as a human. And they believed me that you could do it. They are really good parents for me. So I became really humble and kind.lol Read more>>

Emily Courney

My siblings and I all have very different strengths. My two younger siblings excelled at school from a young age, while I took just a little bit longer find a style of learning that worked for me. My sister is introverted with a hilarious sense of humor. My brother is wise, with a clear communication style and calm presence. Despite growing into ourselves at different paces, our parents never once compared us to one another. We each had our different strengths, which our parents highlighted. And because we were taught to be confident in those, we were happy for the strengths we saw in others. They gave us the gift of security by recognizing us as multifaceted human beings and they gave me my two best friends. Read more>>

Steven Kenny

As for encouragement, I felt that my parents were always behind me. When I was nearing the end of grammar school they offered me the opportunity to attend the High School of Art and Design in New York City. At that young age, the prospect of leaving my friends behind and commuting in and out of a big city was too overwhelming so I turned them down. However, when it came time to apply to colleges, I wound up going to the Rhode Island School of Design. They never balked at the tuition which must have been a considerable expense for them. They may not have always understood what I was doing artistically or where I was headed but they never questioned my motives. Read more>>

Olivia Watson

Besides grooming me to be a hard working woman, my adopted mom always said you get what you give out of life. That used to really piss me off when I was younger but only because I didn’t understand. As a teenager, and even now as an adult, I felt like what I wanted I always deserved so if I didn’t get it… it was like why? And usually it was because of my attitude. So now that I’m older, the saying hits a little different. If I put out positivity then I get it back. If I put out negative, then I get it back. If I put in the effort, I can only be rewarded. As far as my art, the more love I have in my art, the more magical it is. I can’t do art with no reason or emotion. My first art show I didn’t sell any pieces and honestly at the time I didn’t believe in myself. My third art show I sold 2 pieces!!! And my pieces had so much love in them!!  Read more>>

Suzanne Jennings

I had loving, firm, encouraging, empowering Christian parents. I was fortunate that they always encouraged my ‘acting antics’ around the house, and enjoyed them. I would get down from the dinner table and serenade them when I was little. My Mom always made sure I had some of her old dresses in which to play dress up….and I loved it. I watched TV on our black and white, 3 channels and even at 6 years old found myself pretending to be my favorite characters, Dale Evens, Samantha Stevens, and more. To this day I still study my favorite actresses. As time passed I took piano lessons and enjoyed time on stage for recitals, then in High School I auditioned and was cast in my first stage role, Irene Molloy in ‘Hello Dolly’. I was hooked! My first award for a stage performance! Best Supporting Actress. My parents never missed a performance. Over the years I participated in marching & concert band, Chorus, Plays, & Cheerleading and my parents were ALWAYS there cheering me on. They never tried to steer me away from my love of performing. When I moved 2 hours away to take my first professional job, they supported and encouraged me. They came to see me perform over and over, and when I decided to move to L.A. to follow my dream, they never tried to talk me out of it. (As a Mom myself now, I am not sure I would handle it so gracefully!) I am so blessed to have been raised by them!!!! Read more>>

Nancy Parker

My parents instilled in me the values of integrity, accountability and consideration of how one’s actions creates impact, whether positive or negative. And to always try to leave something better than you found it. They loved & supported me through my journey from childhood into adulthood. Growing up, I knew that I could trust their unconditional love and support even if I messed up, thanks Mom! I was not off the hook, though I knew I needed to take responsibility and change my behavior and/or accept the consequences of my actions. My Dad also taught me to slow down and do things right, rather than hurry through with poor results. Read more>>

Ryan Buchanan

I have always been very fortunate to have parents that supported me in music since the day that I started playing the trumpet. While neither one of my parents are working musicians, both have a love and appreciation for it. My mom was a pianist when she was younger and that helped her get an understanding for what my early days in my career would consist of. Both my parents helped support me financially whether that meant buying me a horn, paying for lessons, or even buying me small things like valve oil. Read more>>

Stephanie Smith

The core to my company is built around a simple concept; how can I help others feel good? Throughout my life I have observed and experienced so many ways that can happen and have learned that it is different for everyone. Slowing down (although I hardly do) and finding joy in the small things is an almost unreachable task, but I aim to do that for others with every project. This became such an integral part of who I am today and was shaped by my families influence. My mom was central to shaping my life by striving to reach my goals. Her guidance in teaching me empathy, hard work, teamwork and independence has not only helped me in my personal life but has also laid the foundation for success in my career and even more so as I started my own business. Read more>>

Gianna Capobianco

My father, since I was born was working in the hospitality industry and owned many successful restaurants on the East coast. Not only have I truly been raised surrounded by the hospitality industry, but I’ve been raised behind the scenes watching the do’s and don’ts, as well as all the necessary work behind the scenes in order to be a successful business owner. My dad also instilled a work driven mentality in me when I was a very young girl. At 13 years old he made me start working at one of his restaurants, Ninos Trattoria in Waterbury Connecticut, just learning how to roll silverware because he did not want me to grow up with a lazy mentality, skating by life. While this sounds very cut throat, him and my mother also paired it with constant words of love and encouragement, always making sure I knew I could go whatever path I desired in life and they would support me one hundred percent. Read more>>