Parenting is an incredibly important responsibility and so we wanted to get a conversation going with input from parents in the community. We asked them: what is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent? We’ve highlighted some of the responses below.

Desirae Ofori | Abstract Artist & Creative Entrepreneur

I think one of the most important things I’ve done as a parent is to not just tell them to have faith, believe in themselves, to have compassion and be kind, but to try and lead by example. Kids learn more by what they see us as parents do than what we simply tell them to do. Whatever I want to instill in them, I’m constantly reminded that I have to model that for them and become it myself. Read more>>

Jason Burgos | Executive Producer, Director, Actor, Writer, Musician, Cosplayer

Finding support to help me achieve work-life balance had the biggest positive impact on my family life. When my wife and I found out we would be having our son, I knew I could no longer do the editing for Make ‘Em Laugh Films myself. Previously, I did all the video-editing for the channel myself on top of my full time career in health administration. I wanted to free up my availability so I could spend more time with my wife and son. I quickly found two great video editors who each complete one video project per week. This has allowed me to spend more of my creative energies on script-writing and broadening my skillset as an actor. More importantly, when I finish my workday in my healthcare career, I can spend that time with my family and catch my son’s milestones as he continues to grow quickly. Read more>>

Sonya Perrin-Dixon | Physical Therapist, Event Planner & Graphic Designer

I think above everything tangible, I’ve purposed to demonstrate the importance of achieving goals and living their dreams out loud! No matter how small or how daunting the task seems, I’ve always tackled them with the attitude that giving up is never an option and that any goal is attainable. Read more>>

Nikicha Charles | Intentional Strategies Coach/ Motivational Speaker

As a single mother, the most important thing I’ve done that I believe may have impacted my children is NOT QUIT. Coming from a two parent home and now adjusting to a co-parenting environment could have very well caused them to rebel or deal with the emotions of divorce, but I must say they have soared in ways unimaginable. They saw the struggle of lights being off and turning in cars but not one day did I QUIT. They saw me struggle through corrections academy while cooking three meals and writing a book, they saw my work ethics, and my passion to win and I believe they knew that quitting could never be an option for them EVER because they saw the example first hand. Read more>>

Natalie Jones Pantaleon | Drowning Prevention Specialist & Artist

In terms of impact on my children, the MOST important thing I have done is reading a book by Dr. Shefali Tsabary called ‘The Conscious Parent’. I always believed that all children are born with their own distinct life purpose. What I didn’t know was how, as parents, we often inadvertently get in their way, which can be a source of unnecessary suffering. This book taught me that not only do babies show up with a purpose, but that they arrive in their complete authenticity, perfect in who they are. They also show up in our lives, as parents, with a beautiful offering to us. They offer us a path to our own greater truth & authenticity. It is such an honor to raise a child and it is also one of the most challenging life experiences. It can feel overwhelming at times because we don’t really know how to parent until we become parents. Read more>>