We asked some of the best parents we know to tell us about the most important thing they’ve done as parents and have shared their wisdom below.

Jamaal Jones | Founder & Health Law Attorney

I am a father to 15-month old son and I believe that the most important thing that I’ve done as a father is to be present for my son. It seems simple but it’s one of the best things that I can give to my son. As an attorney and owner of a law firm with offices in Florida, Tennessee, and Washington D.C. my schedule can be very demanding and my free time is oftentimes scarce. However, it is important to be to build a healthy relationship with my son and that means that my work life revolves around my schedule with my son and not the other way around. Yes, I have to provide for my wife and son but in my opinion being a father is much more than the material things that I share with them. Being present allows my son to see the way that I treat his mom with love and respect; he knows that I’ll comfort him if he has a tough day; we’ll do fun things together creating lasting memories; and I’ll also be there to witness his accomplishments and milestones. Through my presence, I hope that my son and I are able to build a bond where he feels like he can confide in me with anything and also have a blueprint on life and managing his expectations and relationship with himself and others.  Read more>>

Natalie Perez Flores | Mother & Entrepreneur

Children will always have their own temperaments but they do learn by example and I am that example for Valerie everyday, so one of the most important things I have done as a parent is look in the mirror and evaluate my own evolvement. I try my best to be better, speak better and show my daughter through my actions and words, the morals and values I wish for her to have and carry forever. I try not to take each moment to seriously and enjoy the swinging of the pendulum because she is constantly changing and well, so am I. Read more>>

Brandon Pinder | Entrepreneur & Consultant

For me legacy is a big part of my purpose in life. One of my main goals is to build a life that generations after me can build on and benefit from. As a business owner and a parent, the most significant impact I believe I’ve had on my daughter is instilling in her a strong work ethic and the value of resilience. Leading by example, I’ve shown her the dedication, perseverance, and commitment it takes to build and sustain a business. By involving her in age-appropriate aspects of the business, I’ve provided opportunities for her to witness problem-solving, adaptability, and the importance of learning from both successes and failures. This, I believe, has not only imparted practical life skills but also fostered a mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles that hinder growth. Ultimately, my aim is to inspire her to pursue all her passions with determination while helping her to understand that success often involves hard work, continuous learning, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. She doesn’t have to follow in my footsteps specifically but I want her to learn the values of life through my examples and exemplify them in her daily life as she grows into herself. Read more>>