15 Stories That Will Make You Want To Call Your Parents

These stories about parents and parenting from the non-profit The Moth will have you laughing, crying, and seriously considering what the people who raised you went through. C'mon. Give 'em a call.

"A Kind of Wisdom"

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Did you want to grow up to be just like your mom or dad? Ellie Lee sees her father's wisdom and compassion through his grocery store empire, leading her to help carry on his legacy.

"The Best of Times, The Worst of Times"

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You may know Anthony Griffith as a comedian, but you are going to need a box of tissues for this tale about the intertwining of his Tonight Show appearances and his daughter's health. Seriously. It would be negligent to let you watch this without tissues.

"LOL"

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You've probably seen a lot of parental texting fails. Now you can hear one. Adam Gopnik details a communication breakdown between him and his son. Makes you wonder how he's doing with emojis.

"Under the Influence"

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Not all parents are the loving, tolerant people we need them to be. Jeffery Rudell describes his family's reaction to his coming out, all while under the influence of that crazy, addictive substance: hope.

"Mummy Was a Wild Game Hunter"

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Your dad's stamp collection has nothing on this woman's animal heads. Bokara Legendre, the daughter of a globe-trotting game hunter, struggles to rid her home of her mother's kills.

"The Accident"

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Sometimes, a Barbie Dreamhouse is the key to helping an 8-year-old survive. Years after a car accident lands Ophira Eisenberg in the hospital, she finally realizes the true strength of her parents.

"Oliver's Pink Bicycle"

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Lots of parents want their kids to have idyllic childhoods just like theirs. For James Braly, this includes a red bike, until his son demands otherwise.

"Secret Daughter"

Sarah Stacke / Via themoth.org

How your parents see you and how you see yourself are two very different perspectives. June Cross shares her experience of growing up biracial and having to pretend her white mother is an aunt. Listen to her story here.

"Lost and Found Daughter"

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Parents, take note: a little acceptance goes a long way. Dana Stallard deals with the double-whammy of coming out to her adoptive parents and her birth family, with whom she was recently reunited.

"First Kill"

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Sadly, it's possible that your parents will never really understand you. A hunting trip highlights the divide between Frank Damico and his father.

"Family Trees Can Be Dangerous"

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Think your parents can keep a secret? They've got nothing on Paul Nurse's, who managed to hide the truth about his birth mother for over 50 years.

"Life Flight"

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Some parents are always looking out for you. Even in death, Kimberly Reed's father helps her deal with her hometown's reaction when she returns after transitioning to a woman.

"Finding Esther"

themoth.org / Via themoth.org

It can take decades to find out details about your parents' past. Susan Duncan reveals some of her mother's feisty, clever antics before talking about her history. Listen here.

"From Boyhood to Fatherhood"

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Where did your parents even learn the tricks of the trade? A parenting book? Classes? The weird and wonderful life of Jonathan Ames will give you some insight into his strange path to parenthood. Listen here.

"Triumph of Love"

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When was the last time your parents said "I love you"? And when was the last time you said it them? Walter Mosley highlights the impact of hearing those three little words from his distant mother.