Where We Started
At The Modern Asian Parent, we believe that the most meaningful work begins with personal stories. Our founders didn’t just study psychology or parenting—they lived it, grew through it, and are still learning every day.
This space isn’t about how MAP began (you can read more about that on our About page and Instagram), but about who began it: the women behind the mission.
Laura’s Story
I was lucky to grow up in Hawai‘i—a place where Asian culture isn’t a subculture, it’s the foundation. From the way we respect our elders, to how food is shared at the table, to the importance of community, Hawai‘i raised me with values that I didn’t even realize were uniquely Asian until I left. There was comfort in growing up where being Asian wasn’t “different”—it was just normal.
I’m biracial, and so is my dad, which means my identity has always been layered. My mom’s family has been in Hawai‘i for five generations, and through her, I’m deeply connected to the Asian and local cultures that shaped the islands. My dad grew up in Boston as a biracial kid in a very different time and place—one where being mixed wasn’t always embraced. So I grew up with stories of both belonging and not quite fitting in, of holding space for multiple identities at once.
That duality—of tradition and change, rootedness and movement—has followed me in my work and my parenting. I left Hawai‘i to attend college in New York, thinking it would just be a chapter. But the city pulled me in, and for a while, I stayed. Eventually, I returned home—older, more reflective, and more committed than ever to giving back to the place that raised me.
Hawai‘i shaped who I am. It taught me how powerful it is when culture, community, and care intersect—and that’s at the heart of everything I do with MAP.
Michelle’s Story
I grew up in New York and New Jersey in a multigenerational home—my grandparents lived with us, and their presence was a huge part of my upbringing. There was always a mix of languages, cultural values, and stories circling through the house, and even though I didn’t realize it at the time, those moments helped shape the way I now think about identity, family, and mental health.
I knew I wanted to be a psychologist as early as sixth grade. Something about understanding people, listening deeply, and helping others just made sense to me. But like many children of immigrants, I also grew up with strong encouragement to pursue something “practical.” So I started my career as a management consultant—wearing suits, flying to client meetings, and trying to convince myself it was the right fit.
Eventually, I couldn’t ignore the pull anymore. I made the leap, went back to school, and started the long journey toward becoming a psychologist. It taught me a lot about resilience, honoring your instincts, and rewriting the script—even if it means going against expectations. That’s a big part of why I’m here now: helping other parents and families navigate those same tensions between tradition and change.
