Let's see my Mom taught me:
-never give up...keep trying and put your mind to it.
-that hard work is the only acceptable kind (she'd call us out on something we'd done half-assed)
-that you should NEVER rely upon somebody else to take care of you because life changes in a matter of seconds
-that mediocrity isn't acceptable...(I'll never forget getting a B and being asked why)
-that you should never let anyone get the upper hand (she said if I find out you threw the first punch in a fight you are in trouble but if I find out that someone else punched you and you didn't throw the last punch in a fight you are in trouble too."
-that "anything you can do, I can do better, I can do anything better than you." as a song early in childhood because honestly we typically can do things better than anyone else if we put our minds to it.

But in general my Mom taught me to be independent, self-sufficient, frugal and sassy. To never let anyone get the better of me and that I could do anything I put my mind to.

Busy morning here this morning.

I don't really remember any moment that I can attribute to my success. Not that there weren't moments- it's just I don't remember any. Is that wierd? I remember stuff about my childhood but not a bunch of specific event.

My most vivid memory of being a kid was when I spent several days with my Aunt Sue Beth and Uncle Eddie and their friends. I had only my bathing suit (for several days) and we went crabbing early one morning and caught a bunch of crabs. The teenage (maybe early college) daughter of their friends, Polly, and I killed and cleaned a bunch the crabs. It was just fun- that's all I really remember.

My parents, because of their own experience of dropping out of college, taught me that a college degree was not an option. The importance my parents placed on an education my entire life had a major effect on me and it was always their voice I heard in the back of my head pushing me to keep going.

I will say that college was a time in my life when I changed a lot and really became someone that I'm proud of- took on my first leadership roles, moved away from home, studied abroad, etc. If it had not been for the empahsis my parents placed on a college degree, I'm not sure those things would have happened in my life.

My parents always told to me to go, try and do. No matter what. My dad was always pushed me ahead. There are a couple of things that I think he did was important.
I attended an all girls school. At the time, I didn't really get it, but when I entered college it completely clicked. At my school there was no hiding that you were smart because you liked a boy or where a teacher wouldn't call on you because you were a girl. In high school, we all succeeded because we were allowed to grow and nurture our intellect in the single sex environment. When I got into college, and even law school, I saw professors skip over me because I was a girl. Boys got more attention. It's wrong but it happened. But I kept plowing ahead - because I knew I could.
The other thing that I remember about my dad's influence was he never let me miss an opportunity if I wanted it. I shouldn't be scared; I should just do it. My dad sent me to Paraguay when I was 16 (I went with 5 friends from high school, went to school and traveled - sometimes were didn't even have an adult with us - It was an amazing experience. )
Also, my dad promoted the silly - he sent me to Cancun for spring break and New Orleans for Mardi Gras. He had a lot of trust in me and knew that I could handle anything.
If it wasn't for my daddy I wouldn't be the person that I am today.

I learned so many things from my parents, but mostly that you didn't have to live in traditional roles. My Dad did just as much laundry and cooking as my mom. My mom worked long hours just as much as my dad. So when it came to doing anything it never crossed my mind to think that girls couldn't do it. College was not an option - but I remember not thinking much about that. College was just what people DID after high school. They also raised us to go where the work is. We were never pressured to stay in our home town or in the same state even. I moved to Texas from Missouri about 1 month after I got married and we've been here ever since. I miss being close to my parents and sometimes wish that they would have encouraged us to stay close - but I am thankful they allowed me to go without ever making me feel guilty.

They are really amazing people and I hope I am half the parent to my boys that they were to me.

OK - rereading what I wrote and want to clarify...college was not optional. :) I wrote "not an option" which means something completely different!

Hope all are having a great day!

I admire you all! Thank you all for sharing your stories, I could relate a little bit to all of you.... I love my parents dearly! It's very interesting how much they ... all of our parents.... allow us and encourage us... to be who we've now become.

In high school I wanted to study abroad, but do to different circumstances, money and my father's (get that... father's fears... of flying... letting me go... etc...) I did not study abroad... but I was the AFS (American Field Service) President at my high school. and we had Foreign Exchange students stay at our home (for the shorter 2 week stints)

One time my dad said to me when I was 17 ... "You must not be my daughter, my daughter wouldn't want to do that".... when I had tried out for my first community theatre production and when I applied for my first "Miss" scholarship pageant... yes, I was his daughter.... but it was something he could not comprehend I would want to do.

College was not optional for me either.... but, I think (no, I know) I was bribed to live at home until I finished my BA degree. I went to a very small Lutheran College 15 minutes from my house....my dad gave me my car and agreed to pay for the rest of my tuition, whatever I didn't receive in scholarships if I was a commuter to this college.

When my husband and I had to decide to move with his company from Wisconsin to Tennessee... they were not shy about their fears and disappointment of us moving (Kyle was barely 2... Holly was 3 weeks old when we moved)...

Okay, many of my experiences sound like harsh realities when I write this... I'm not shy about who I am, or how I got here... but these are things I remember... I know.... I know, now, they did the best they could.... neither went to college... both had very hard early childhood lives... however, I knew I was always a wanted and loved child... given opportunities to play the cello and piano and be in high school choirs and theatre.... however, when I wanted to deviate from "their" norm... they just didn't know what to do.

Now raising my 15 year old daughter.... is another story....

Wow it is fun to read everyone's childhood memories! I, like Cheryl, don't remember a specific moment as a child. College was non negotiable, my sisters and I knew it was a given. And being rather introverted, my parents had no clue as to why I would go in to theatre. It was all about psychology for me and learning about what made others 'tick' so I could figure out my life. And it wasn't until my MFA program (this is basically a PhD in performing because it is a 3 year program with your thesis) but my mom actually flew out to Los Angeles during my second year, to see a play that i was in and it was being ajudicated after the performance. All the actors sat in the audience with their friends and I sat with my mom, thinking and wondering if she liked what I had created and not really knowing what to expect from the ajudicator in a room of 200 people or so. Well, he stood on stage and asked the whole room of actors: "Do any of you have a question or hard time with monologues?" and a bunch of hands went up. Then he asked, "Do any of you have problems putting scene structure, character development or vocal inflection together?" Hands raised. I was whispering something to my mom as I raised my hand too and the ajudicator said, "Well, those of you who have questions on how to create a character, you have a great opportunity to work with a fellow actor in this room who shines on stage due to their commitment and skill. You should just work ...with her!" And he pointed to me! It was the first time I remember seeing my mother truly "get it" and understand my work and devotion to the study of creating and working on stage. She understood what was important to me through the words of a judge who assessed my work. (I was as surprised as she was) That moment - that stays with me to this day! And I know I just have to be committed to what I set my mind to and yes I can accomplish more than I even thought possible. Thanks Claudia - great post!