Our community is made up of brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs, but many of them are also dedicated parents and so we asked them an in port at question: If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?

Crissy Johnston | Director of Brand Operations and Mentali-Tea Podcast Co-Host

The most important thing I’ve done for my children as a parent, is to lead by example and let them just be their own individual self. From a young age, giving them choices and allowing them to make their own choices so that they know they too have a voice in the decision making. For example, laying out 2 outfits and having them choose which one they feel like wearing, or a few options on what meals they would like to eat. Being a safe space for them to talk about what’s on their minds so that they feel they can tell me anything. Read more>>

Bonnie Keith | Video Creator & Producer

My art is my passion. When i am filming, editing, or creating any type of graphic or visual art, “time” just flies by. I get lost in the “zone” of creativity. I believe on eof the things that sets me apart from others in my field is my background as a professional actress. Whenever I film anyone, whether it a video promo for a small business or a large wedding, my approach is that of Movie Making. Read more>>

David Schlussel | Writer, Director, Editor, Music Supervisor, Dad

I am a writer and director so I am lucky to be home a lot and being a parent is the thing I am best at. We have two house rules 1. Yes, and.. and 2. solutions no problems. Parenting is the ultimate improv game, so when I became a parent I adopted the first rule of improv which is “YES, AND…” whatever is thrown at you in a scene, you accept (yes) and add to it (and). So for a parenting example when your kid falls and is crying but you know they are okay, you don’t say “You’re fine” because that’s negating what they are feeling. You say something like “wow, that looked like it hurt” (yes) and (and) “do you need ice? a hug? Read more>>

Matt Harry | Author, Teacher, Filmmaker

My co-parent Juliane and I try to raise our two boys with a strong sense of empathy. We’re constantly encouraging them to think about other people’s feelings and situations. Even when someone does something “bad,” we try to get them to understand why that person may have made the choices they did. And on a personal level, I think it’s important for my kids to see me enjoying my work. When I was a kid, it was such an inspiration to me to see how excited my dad was about his job. He was a salesman, but took true pride in his work and would often tell me, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” As both a writer and a teacher, I try to model that for my own children. Read more>>

scotty Coats | Music/LBC HERO SQUAD Co Founder

I think the most important thing for me as a parent is trying my hardest to see the world through their eyes. Your kids are not YOUR kids, they are their own people. It’s challenging but I try to remind myself to put myself in their shoes and to not force my agenda. I’m still learning but I try hard to lead with love because even love is in need of love. Read more>>