My parents didn't have the knowledge or experience to say useful things. You can't "SHOULD HAVE" people who didn't have the ability. I basically figured out my own path in life because I knew they had no concept of where I was heading ir how to get there.
Their best encouragement was to pay me $1 (I grew up in school late 50's -60's) I made sure I got as much as I could. I got my validation for my abilities at school as my parents couldn't afford activities or even get me there in the first place. Life was basically what I made it & learned not to look to parents for much of anything other than basic needs.