How Awesome Were Your Parents?

Your parents were different before they were…well, parents. NPR recently ran an interesting story called, “My Parents Were Awesome,” highlighting a website that posted pictures of parents before they were parents. That’s it. The idea stuck in my head, but I didn’t get around to checking out the site until I overheard a bunch of college kids at a local coffee shop discussing how much they got a kick out of the website.

Let’s face it, parenthood is not that glamorous. Whether it’s because of their out-of-date clothing styles (remember those big round glasses and silly looking fanny packs), or because the younger generation is just always cooler, very rarely does a child admit proudly that their parents are cool. But parents had a life before they were parents. It’s easy to forget that the things that happened to them (us) before they had kids were also awesome. Being a parent, I know how easy it is to forget.

Were parents cooler than we thought? Blogger Eliot Glazer thinks so, and apparently lots of folks agree, because they are submitting thousands of pictures to his photojournal, My Parents Were Awesome to prove their awesomeness.

Here’s why this site makes me smile:
* It’s great news for parents. Sometimes parenting is a thankless job and the notice and notoriety is a nudge in the right direction.
* It highlights people who are choosing kind and caring ways to honor what is important to them.
* There’s not an ounce of snarkiness that you might see on other blogs on the My Parents Were Awesome site. It’s just an awesome bunch of pictures of parents before they were parents.
* With all the nasty news we are bombarded with on the home front daily, this sweet website is not just awesome, it is refreshing and inspirational.

Here is how it works:
1. Send photos to myparentswereawesome@gmail.com with your name and the name of those pictured.
2. You can send a page or two if your photo comes with a fascinating, romantic or interesting backstory.

My Parents Were Awesome is a feel good site that speaks for itself. Take a look:

Read more: Do Good, EcoNesting, Family, Home, caring, Children, Family Life, home, parenting

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Natasha S.

2:16AM PST on Mar 5, 2013

Never met father and mother was a rigid overbearing callous woman which i cut off contact years ago. Not much of a family but i've always surrounded myself around animals which i absolutely adore. Their love is unconditional.

March 5
send a green star

Danuta W.

2:06AM PST on Jan 15, 2013

Thank you for the informative article.

January 15
send a green star

Franco D.

6:04AM PDT on Sep 17, 2012

My Mom was the greatest. Check her out at RitaDiPalma.com. We set up a website in her memory. She was like one would expect a saint to be. Everyone flocked to her for everything, from food to prayers. She attended Mass daily but never judged a soul. Always welcomed anyone into her home and never forgot to feed them. Sadly my father on the other hand had mental and emotional issues and left when I was just a boy. Mom made up for both though so I have nothing to complain about. Love and miss you Mom.......We would have shared another birthday on the twenty fourth of this month were she still here.

September 17
send a green star

Teresa C.

1:30AM PDT on Sep 15, 2012

My parents were not parents, and totally not awesome!!

September 15
send a green star

Helle H.

3:46PM PDT on Sep 11, 2012

My mother was awsome. Dad left her with 4 kids and she took good care of us, got an education and love all of us.

September 11
send a green star

Terry V.

11:30AM PDT on Sep 10, 2012

alcoholics=rotten parents

September 10
send a green star

Carole R.

8:59PM PDT on Sep 9, 2012

Something to think about, for sure.

September 9
send a green star

Despina V.

11:05AM PDT on Jun 18, 2012

No Comment

June 18
send a green star

Chris C.

9:13AM PDT on Jun 16, 2012

My parents were beyond awesome. My mom looked like Hedy Lamarr and dad looked like Gene Kelly! They remained married to each other their whole life and I miss them terribly! They were funny and understanding and taught us to respect each other and they also taught us love of and respect for animals!