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.

Jamie Smith

My parents have always had the belief that having a hobby in life is a very important thing. From a young age I saw both my father and mother use their hands and minds to create using whatever medium was available. This could have been because we were a family of 7 with limited funds, or maybe because they truly saw potential in everything. If I saw a bunk bed in the Pottery Barn magazine that I loved, my dad would build it. If we’d go to the modern art museum and I’d see a painting that inspired me, my mom would sign us up for painting lessons so we could learn to paint something similar. Read more>>

Samantha Grider

Growing up I got the privilege of witnessing my mother’s struggle with her diagnosis of bi-polar. From medications, to insurance, doctors and her own internal conversation. What her and my father made sure of was that I knew to ask questions, be curious. They gave me a platform for witch to ask what do I want to know, at first it was overwhelming, and at times I’ve resented them. However my greatest gift as a coach/ consultant for women wanting to cultivate their confidence through developing a kinder self talk is the experiences I’ve had in my short time on earth. A resiliency that goes beyond pulling my boot straps up, that includes listening to my gut, and learning how to kindly throw away the script I’d been listening to in my mind. Read more>>

Donna Corvi

Drawing and painting has always been a passion of mine since I learned how to hold a crayon.
As a youngster art was always my favorite subject in class and while my friends took it as a free time away from books. I had parents who always cherished the artwork I did and gave to them as gifts….when my mom passed away at 82 years old, I had to clean through her house and I came upon boxes of old artwork, from pre- kindergarten all the way through high school. I didn’t realize how much she saved and what it meant to her. Read more>>

Gently

The question is, “What did my parents do right?” And while I could list a few things, the truth is—what impacted me most were the things I didn’t realize at the time.

Growing up, we had what we needed and a lot of what we wanted. My parents were the definition of “make it happen.” I didn’t know we were living paycheck to paycheck until I got older, because they never let it show. There was no stress in the air, no scarcity in the conversation—just love, support, and somehow, everything we asked for showing up like magic. Read more>>

Kevin

One thing I think most everyone can come to agreement on is that our parents were not perfect, but one thing mine taught me has kept me going on my journey in more ways then I would have imagined. I remember back in my grade school days my dad and mom would call my older sister, me and my younger brother into their room every night so that we could pray as a family. At the time, I didn’t fully comprehend the idea of faith and praying to a God I could not see. I can be honest in saying even today I still have my doubts with faith and prayer, but anyone who is a creative knows that to succeed it not only takes a firm belief in oneself but also a faith that goes beyond yourself as well. A creative is someone who seeks to bring new things into the world. Read more>>

Danielle Hagerty

My parents did so many things right, and their influence has shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally. They emphasized hard work, curiosity, and taking care of each other, while also encouraging me to be a strong, independent woman with choices. One of their biggest lessons was to never let anyone limit me, which has been a cornerstone of how I approach life and my career. Read more>>

Cory Waddell

My parents have always been super supportive in whatever I wanted to do. Luckily for me, they are always talking to people about me and my business which is actually how I started my private dining business. My dad was just talking to the right person at the right time and got me a shoe in the door to leave my line cook days behind me and I haven’t looked back. Read more>>

Sarah Marlatt

My parents have never worried about money, even though the world gave them plenty of reasons to. Most parents fear the statement, “Mom, Dad, I think I’m going to quit my job, and become a freelance artist.” The instability, infrequent paychecks, and madness of self employment taxes are just the beginning of reasons parents often advise against a creative career. However, despite having lived through a period of near poverty themselves, my parents saw the gifts and passion God gave me for art. They have always been my biggest supporters, and are constantly invested in my business and craft. Read more>>

Maria Cestaro

I was raised by my dad which was highly unusual for the 70’s having your father win custody and raise children. My story was very unusual from the beginning. Without really knowing it, my father, in his determination to raise three highly functional kids showed me how to respect, how to take risks even when you are scared, how to stand strong, how to be a person that doesn’t go back on their word. That was something that I witnesses from my earliest years to present day and it’s something that has fueled my own being. For every conversation I have, I show respect at all times. For every advancement I choose to make, even when scared, I do it anyway. Read more>>

Massive Trackz

My entire family has been super supportive of me and my music. None more than my parents for sure. They’d both encourage me to keep perusing my dreams and give me advice in anyway they could. My dad is probably my biggest supporter, he’s also a musician and was the one who initially introduced me to the idea of creating music and learning FL Studio when I expressed interest as a teen. He’s always been a fan and shown me that I can have a future in music and art in general if I set my mind to it. Both my parents worked hard to give me all the opportunities possible for me to thrive and I love them endlessly for that Read more>>

Ameliah Rogers

Growing up, I was raised by a single mother until the age of 14, when she remarried. During those formative years—just the two of us—my mom did a lot of things right, but the most impactful was teaching me the value of resilience and an unwavering work ethic. Read more>>

Kevin Harrington

I was encouraged at a very young age to pursue filmmaking, at 5 or 6 years old. I was encouraged to writer scripts, cast my family and film projects from a young age. Read more>> 

Emmitt Terrell

I’d like to give my parents a lot of credit for helping foster in me the proper mindset to strike out and become an entrepreneur. Hanging out your own “shingle” is tough work and not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, their high standards in our family for academics and behavior were implied throughout my childhood. Good grades and achievement were more so woven into the fabric my brother and I’s upbringing rather than an imposed standard. I also was fortunate to grow up in a household where free thinking was encouraged. Ideas and concepts could be challenged and explored rather than enforced with an iron fist. It made for some fun conversations. Read more>>

Madeline James

I think for me, highlighting my parents is important, as they are a pivotal element in why I create. My mom is a children’s book author and illustrator, and my dad was in a rock band for most of his younger life. I had always grown up with art of all forms in the household. Having a guitar to hold, a piano to bang, or a crayon to brake in half, exposed me at a young age to what all these instruments/tools can do. After expressing interest in music, even though I was young & unaware of how to actually play anything, my dad could see the spark in my eyes. My parents enrolled me in piano lessons in elementary school, vocal and guitar lessons in middle school, and by age 12, I had released my first EP. Read more>>

Laura Bibbs

My parents sacrificially and unconditionally poured into me and my career path. They never forced me onto a path that they wanted for me, it was always “if this makes you happy, we support you”. My father worked extremely hard to financially support our family and provide me with the miscellaneous things I needed, like mutes, scores, lessons, etc. My mother ensured I was promptly at all the places I needed to be like school, rehearsals and auditions. I’m grateful that my decision to play trumpet at such an early age was never shamed. I hear so many disheartening stories of people who’s parents or family members were extremely discouraging, meeting them with projections of failure. Read more>>

Caitin Cusack

My parents raised me to be kind and instilled in me the importance of serving others. My Mom had a big personality and strong leadership skills – but she also had a quiet warmth that invited others into her world. In conversations, she could make someone feel like they were the only person in the room. She was a great listener and encourager. I like to think I got those qualities from her and that I use them in my daily life, and also in my music. Read more>>

Dan Belling

Growing up as an only child of parents that have been together for nearly 40 years – I had the benefit of varying levels of time and lessons from both my mom and dad. My mom grew up on a farm with 5 other brothers and siblings and instilled the importance of hard work and dedication early on. She spent nearly 20 years with the same employer, and I was fortunate enough to reap the benefit of a signed photo from Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca with the remaining rebel cast of Empire Strikes Back (Han, Luke and Leia) on her anniversary. Read more>>

Jody Sidle

My parents are incredibly supportive- they praised us (my sisters and I) even if we didn’t make straight A’s, as long as they knew we had tried. It was never about being the best but doing our best. They are kind to everyone, never judged people and taught me the same values. Things did not always work out the way they hoped, but they rarely complained, instead they would find a solution and just keep going. Life wasn’t always perfect, but they taught me to see things through different lenses. Read more>>

Erica Carlson

My parents encouraged me to play! I enjoyed so much play and down time as a kid. My family passed the softball and went on bike rides to Art Van Atta Park. My friends and I played hide-and-seek, played basketball, and pretended our cul-de-sac was a drive thru where you could order any yummy treat you’d like. I think I spent a healthy percentage of my childhood pretending to be a puppy. My sisters would even include me in their games by having me (the puppy) get inside my cage (the nook created when the coffee table was set on the couch and a jump rope wrapped across the openings from leg to leg to make bars). I was safely trapped and included. Read more>>

Caleb Drew

My parents did a lot of things right. They instilled foundational values in all of us from an early age—values like hard work, consistency, setting a high standard, and developing the entrepreneurial spirit to bet on ourselves. They led by example on a daily basis, setting the tone for us children to follow suit and always strive to be our best. Whether they were putting in 16-hour days on the farm, raising four children at different stages of life, or communicating non-verbally how we should seize each day and avoid excuses, they set a clear bar for us to meet. Read more>>

Jo An

There were never shortcuts for me growing up. My parents were hard working and dedicated to their four children and their professions. They stressed the importance of commitment and dedication to a profession and that taught me never to waiver. I knew at 10 years old that I wanted to be a surgeon and it was just a matter of finding the right area in surgery for me during medical school. I have never looked back. It was the right career path for me without having any second thoughts. I owe this to my parents who were not medical in any capacity but they fostered drive, perseverance and grit before grit was even a thing. Read more>>

Tata Milan

My mother instilled in me the foundation to become my best self. From a young age, she prioritized self-awareness and self-discipline, and she poured into my potential with intention and love. She recognized my creative spark early on and nurtured it by entering me in talent pageants, giving me the confidence to express myself freely and be proud of who I am. She always encouraged me to reach beyond what felt possible, teaching me to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but necessary parts of the journey. Her perspective helped me understand that challenges are meant to strengthen me, not just to arrive at my goals, but to sustain the success when I get there. Read more>>

Deana Taylor

My parents laid the foundation for the health-conscious, community-focused person I am today. From an early age, they instilled in me the importance of regular exercise and proper nutrition—not as a punishment or a trend, but as a way of life. We didn’t just talk about being healthy—we lived it. Read more>>

Michy Flores

My parents really taught me to be independent and self-sufficient. At first it felt cold, that I am to rely only on myself. But as I grew older, I started to realize, it’s not about not having people in your life but it’s about not relying on others for anything—including my freedom, happiness, confidence, peace, etc. I think when I moved out at 17yo, they probably felt they made me TOO independent lol. I’ve always been eager for more in my life and the journey of discovering who I really am when I am alone. I’ve gone through so many traumatic events in my life and somehow I’m always able to pick back up and try again. In my head I hear my dad’s words, “don’t ever give up.” I remember that my parents were originally immigrants from El Salvador who became U.S. citizens to give me a ‘better life’. I am the eldest daughter of 3 siblings, Read more>>

Mark Masefield

Growing up, my parents had me involved in just about every extracurricular activity possible. I was encouraged to try everything, and to see it through to the end… if there was a club or a sport, that wasn’t really doing it for me, they’d have me finish out the season. Knowing I couldn’t bail on anything in the middle, I was always looking for some aspect of the game or club to find enjoyment in and help me through the season. This helped me make new friends, and discover that if I worked on something a little harder, I’d maybe find enjoyment where I first found stress or frustration. It also helped me understand that I’m not going to enjoy everything I do with my time, but that my decisions and actions affect those around me. I can’t quite recall all the things I didn’t end up sticking with, but I whittled my activities down to travel ice hockey and playing piano. Read more>>