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.

Natalie Jacobsen

I grew up in a one-hundred year-old farmhouse in rural Oregon, but never felt isolated: my parents encouraged travel and community through reading, exploring, and family activities that enriched the lives of my sister and I. Every week we made a pilgrimage to the local library to pick up armloads of books that challenged our reading comprehension and introduced us to new cultures, people and places. My dad was an international cargo pilot, and a fun game we always had was looking at a map and tracing his route, then looking up facts about the country or city in an encyclopedia. When able and older, we were pushed to travel, never held back. Reflecting on my childhood, Read more>>

Lexi Mohr

Growing up I remember my dad always preaching, “mind of matter” and “is the cup half full or half empty.” Yes, this is optimism, but it also teaches us the power of the mind. And he was instilling this understanding since I was a child. You see, he encouraged me to think, do, and be more. To use the mind in order to achieve the goals I wanted to achieve in life. By him asking “is the cup half full,” it is perspective taking. How can we adjust our perspectives in order to live the life that is our heaven on earth. Little did I know that these two comments, and probably all the feelings of love from both my mom and dad, resulted in what I do today. Helping people feel into the present moment and then allow the neural pathways to create new patterns of thinking in order to align our thoughts to what we want to achieve in life. Read more>>

Crystal Burton-cook

I want to start by saying that my mom is one of the hardest-working women I have ever known. I would say that’s where I inherited my strong work ethic. As a single mother of three children, she made sure we had as many opportunities as possible. While my friends played outside, I spent hours in the neighborhood library. I say this often when I talk about my mom and when I talk about my childhood. My mom would always say, “Outside will always be there, I’m raising you, not the neighborhood!”Those hours in the library sparked something within me. She taught me that books could take me beyond my circumstances and introduced me to the idea of striving for more. Read more>>

Marcy Peake

My parents provided me with agency, courage, self-regulation, and confidence to pursue whatever I was passionate; ensuring that I did not betray myself or my purposes trying to appease the “Unhelpful Social Narratives” (Peake) that society would inevitably attempt to impose with ever consuming messages of, “Who can and who can not, who should and should not, and who ought and who ought not” (Peake) – there was no out of the box thinking in my life because there were no boxes. There were bumpers and boundaries that primarily involved safety, service to others, and responsibility. Read more>>

Ellie Otis

Growing up, I played just about every sport possible. My parents were both athletes their entire lives, with my dad even being a D1 athlete for football and wrestling. And due to my tall stature and broad shoulders, most of my family thought I’d go pro in one sport or another. I even thought so too, until I accidentally signed up for a theatre class in 7th grade and my trajectory completely shifted. I fell head over heels in love with theatre and performance almost immediately, and became terrified to tell my parents, especially my dad, that I didn’t want to pursue a career in sports or STEM. With tears in my eyes, I told my mom and was shocked to find immediate support. I then told her how nervous I was to tell Dad and was even more shocked when she laughed. She told me she’d be with me when I told him, but that she was confident he wouldn’t mind. Read more>>

Anarchy Munroe

They trained me with discipline when it came to my crafts! I’ve always been dedicated and passionate about my crafts; whether it’s writing, photography, music, or photography. We’ve got to empower ourselves to make the changes we want to see in the world. We’ve got to be strong and specially when the world is set against us. Read more>>

Joey Acker

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had parents who got so many things right. They created a safe, loving environment where I was free to be myself, and they supported me through thick and thin. I was lucky enough to have a happy, trouble-free childhood with few “first-world” problems. They encouraged my education and personal growth, and when I wasn’t putting in my best effort during a phase in high school, they were patient with me while still giving me the space to explore my creativity. As a parent now, particularly to teenagers, I can’t imagine being as patient with myself. One of my English Lit teachers even called me “Joey Slacker” instead of “Acker.” Fast forward to today: I’ve co-written and self-published 30 best-selling books. Who knew? Ha! Read more>>

Jake Bennett

They raised a talented angel, for one. But, enough about my sister. (And I’ll let both my sisters fight over who that is.)

My parents, I think, did a tremendous job of letting me be my own person. They, of course, had very strong world views and taught me the things they thought were important. But they always made sure it was MY decision to make. They respected that my decisions and beliefs were something I was capable of making on my own and left me that free space to discover myself. That, I think, is something that has made me incredibly open-minded and always looking everywhere for answers. Read more>>

Shawn Tyler

I was the type of child that wanted to do everything. My parents often joke that I would come home from school or see something new and say, “I can do that” and try it on my own. My curiosity for multiple things is what saved me from the fear of rejection and made me truly understand to enjoy the process more than the outcome. Read more>>

Myriam Martinez

My family and I immigrated into the United States from Panama in 1979. My parents worked hard to teach us the value of hard work, of being kind to others and to be of service. They had to work hard jobs, my mom a seamstress and my dad a janitor. Despite that, they were always grateful for having jobs and being able to keep a roof over our heads. They taught us to feel proud of the work we do and to always do our best with what we have. That being said, they also emphasized the importance of education because like most immigrant parents, they wanted us to have more and go further than they did. Read more>>

Claudia Polendo Hadlock

My parents moved to the USA from Mexico in 2002, and I can’t imagine how scary that decision was for them. No furniture or toys moved with us, we only got to bring a bag each which had our clothes in it. I was only 7. We all had to learn a new language and start anew in a foreign country while adapting to a new culture. I know they must have been just as terrified as my two siblings and I were. They wanted us to have more opportunities, and I know their decision was guided by God. I am deeply grateful for the risk they took and the opportunities that provided for me. Though odds were stacked against me, I quickly learned that all I had to do is try 3 times harder. From my parents, I learned that there are no excuses; you make the impossible happen because there’s no other option but to succeed. Read more>>

Lydia Boddie-rice

As the firstborn of Dr. Bertrand McClendon Boddie, the second Black graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and my mother, a registered nurse, I might have succumbed to the implicit expectation to follow a path in medicine. With the middle name Althea, meaning “healer,” it seemed as if my destiny was sealed. However, what my parents did right—especially within a high-achieving, medical-oriented household—was provide the freedom to carve out my own identity. Read more>>

Tessa Cain

My parents have played an integral role in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally. They instilled values that have guided me through life and helped me grow into the person I am. From my father, I inherited a strong work ethic, dedication, and the ability to persevere no matter the challenge. He taught me the importance of hard work, always leading by example. I recall countless times when he worked long hours, never complaining, just getting things done with an unwavering focus. His commitment to his work and family showed me the importance of staying resilient and putting in the effort, even when things aren’t easy. My mother, on the other hand, taught me the value of compassion, kindness, and strength in vulnerability. Read more>>

Shay Henning Spaniola

My parents didn’t just support my passions, they modeled how to live a life driven by them. They showed me that creativity isn’t confined to a single path, but rather a current that flows through everything you do. This lesson has been the cornerstone of my journey as a creative entrepreneur, shaping my diverse ventures and giving me the courage to continually evolve. And perhaps most importantly, they taught me that success, and often money, follows passion, not the other way around. Read more>>

Pamela Rosario Pérez

In my community, it is common for parents to move to cities to find work and financially support their families. In the meantime, their children are raised by grandparents, extended family and village elders back home. Such was the case for me. Read more>>

Mariah Ghant

My mom did almost everything right. Things I wish she had done include: making me do competitive cheerleading so I could be on the hit Netflix show CHEER, send me to poker camp (I did almost every other kind of camp) so I could be a talented gambler now, and teaching me how to hack into the mainframe. Read more>>

Portia Smith

My parents were very young, and quite wild and free. They were parents of the 70’s. My dad was an artist and my mom was a waitress. I definitely had an unconventional upbringing that wasn’t the most stable. However, my parents did the best they could, and even though they did not have a lot of money, they were resourceful and creative, and we never “went without”. Read more>>

Rae Nyberg

My parents instilled in me the value of hard work, perseverance, and earning everything I have. They made it clear that nothing in life would be handed to me—if I wanted something, I had to work for it. That mindset has shaped my approach to both life and my career.

That lesson stuck with me. In my career, whether it’s building a business, creating opportunities for clients, or growing my own brand, I’ve never expected success to just happen. I’ve put in the work, stayed persistent, and found ways to earn every win. Read more>>

Sie Savage Chambers

I have to give credit to both of my parents for teaching me strength and resilience. Early on, I learned that life wasn’t going to be easy, and those lessons shaped me into who I am today. While I no longer have a relationship with my biological father, my mother has always been a constant source of love, guidance, and support. Her presence in my life has been unwavering, and I owe much of my perseverance and heart to her. She not only taught me how to be strong but also how to lead with compassion, and for that, I am forever grateful. Her husband, My Pops, embody so much love for one another, that gives me hope of what’s possible in my own life. Read more>>

Ozz Gold

My parents gave me an unshakable sense of confidence and resilience. No matter what I set my mind to—whether it was excelling in sports, getting into West Point, or becoming a pilot—they always said, “Of course you can.” That kind of belief changes the way you see the world. It made me trust myself, take risks, and go all in on my dreams. It’s the same mindset I bring to music—betting on myself, pushing through set Read more>>

Lisa Gold

My parents, both successful business owners, instilled in me the value of hard work from a very young age, and it has shaped every aspect of my life and career. Their unwavering commitment to their businesses demonstrated to me that success doesn’t come without putting in the effort. I vividly remember my first job at the age of 12 as a babysitter. While other kids were enjoying their free time, I was taking care of younger children, earning money, and learning the responsibility that comes with a job. My parents always encouraged me to save and grow my earnings, teaching me early on the importance of financial literacy and discipline. Read more>>

Dave Young Kim

My parents, like many immigrant parents, led by example rather than explicit instruction. They instilled in me resilience, work ethic, and a deep sense of responsibility—not just to myself but to my community.

One of the things they did right was teaching me the value of perseverance. My parents worked tirelessly to build a life in a country that wasn’t always welcoming. My father, a small business owner, put in long hours, and my mother had to sacrifice in so many ways. Watching them navigate these challenges, I learned that setbacks weren’t reasons to quit but opportunities to push forward. Read more>>

Reshunda Suell

I can say my work ethic was instilled in me as a child from my parents. Growing up, they always emphasized the importance of dedication, persistence, and doing your best no matter what! While working full time jobs, they managed to strategically start a church which impacted countless lives in the community. I watched them serve tirelessly with so much dedication and compassion. I consistently noticed how they balanced their personal lives and spiritual commitment with such excellence and efficiency. This inspired me to do the same in all aspects of my life. Read more>>

Eric Alexon

I would say that my parents instilled in us to pursue what we were passionate about, have fun, work hard and be kind to others. Most of my career I’ve been a professional tennis coach, a master personal trainer, and have enjoyed my journey and what I’ve pursued, and that passion has led me to Successful results in the work environment with members and clients. Read more>>

Joanna Parada

My mom and dad are both first-generation immigrants from El Salvador. While El Salvador has a glowing reputation now, it wasn’t always that way. My parents decided to change the rest of their lives in the midst of a civil war, a time of hardship and poverty. In the late 70’s my parents were 26 and 17 years old and they opted to take the most challenging journey to the United States. Fast forward to now, I am proud to be who I am, where I’m from and what I’m becoming – and it’s all because of them. So, what did my parents do right, you ask? Well, to put it simply – everything. They weren’t the perfect parents and my siblings and I certainly weren’t the perfect kids, but as long as we were together, we were always strong. Read more>>

K. Woodman-maynard

My parents recognized from a young age that I was creative and they nurtured that through words of encouragement, but also in practical ways—giving me loads of art supplies, signing me up for classes, and taking me to museums, gardens, and the woods, all visually rich places that fueled my imagination. Read more>>