Interesting thread.... I have to say my parents supported me but yet made me earn it. To this day my Mother (who is 83) still askes if I've got a gig? How did it go? Etc.....
I actually took one year of trumpet in 6th grade. My parents rented it. The next year in 7th I switched to drums. Playing the usual stuff school bands would do. I started playing in the high school marching band in 8th grade. I went to a music program during the summer vacation from school. When other kids were at the town pool or bowling alley I was playing in summer band. I didn't have musical parents, or brothers and sisters. My Jr. high band teacher gave me and old snare, stand, and music. I would work at it instead of playing ball with the neighbors.
The drummer for the Trashmen, Steve Johnston I believe, took an interest in me and would give me lessons on his set. I always went to local dances and was glued watching the drummers. Some of the bands were the Trashmen, Delcounts, the Accents, Avantes, Underbeats, etc....The whole Twin Cities scene of the 60's. I finally got a cheap set of Japanese drums for graduation. Shortly after that I ended up in the Army band. My parents came out to see me play in Colorado Springs. They were always supportive. As my Dad was slowly dieing of prostate cancer, I was running a roofing business and playing music full time. So he really didn't get to see me play as anything other than school or Army band. My Mom won't go to bars, but she came out to see me play outdoors at Como Park a few times.
Last year I had a chance to purchase a wonderful set of Mapex. Cherry Deep Forest for a good buying price. She knew I was in love with them and was buying them from the old drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis. Bobby Bailey made a huge impact on me when I seen him play with Jerry Lee. She knew I didn't have the spare cash and had just purchased a new set a couple months before that. She insisted I buy them and wouldn't take no for an answer.
As I think back it's a shame my Dad never seen me in my prime. Even tho the music business is harsh, she still has the feeling of my love for it.
I've pretty much learned to appreciate the extra cash and enjoyment it's gave me over these 44 years. All thanks to my supportive parents who never understood what it really takes.
I can only imagine the noise they had to put up with......  
My grandson is now taking interest. He bangs on my pad whenever he comes over. He just turned 9 and I wanted to give him my old Slingerlands. But his Dad, my son, said no..... Both my grandsons are going to inherit drums. Little do they know it's some very good gear.    

My parents do not support my music life. I spend at least 3 hours playing guitar and bass a night and now 1 hour extra goes to drums( only because i don't know enough to have a good long practice) but they think im wasting time and constantly remind me of how ill never have a successful career playing music and I should try to go to college for something else, needless to say this kills my confidance.

My Dad always wanted to play drums and didn't get to when he was a kid, so he was very happy to help get drums into the house. He even had his Dad search for a decent used kit since he lived in a larger metro area. Although I was told I had to save and buy them myself (good tough love), when I had saved $35 of the $85 needed for the kit Dad & Grampa let me have the set early (learned about credit that way). Mom was in her high school orchestra (violin) but was so shy about performing in front of people that we could barely get her to play in front of us just at home. When it was finally time for me to have private lessons, my Mom had to find a teacher in a larger city and faithfully drove me the 60 miles every week. As far as practice went, Dad was usually at work-Mom was stay at home so she endured hours of noise, (I never had to practice on a pad-not even rudiments) in fact she required the practice. She said if they were going to pay for those lessons I HAD to practice. My parents always came to any school concerts I was in as well.
     Now after I took 20 years off from drumming (DOH!!!-insert hitting self on forehead) I finally have a band and we get to play out occasionally. Mom can't even handle Dad's tv & stereo volume levels (he's hard of hearing) so she doesn't usually come to our gigs, but whenever any of her freinds are planning a wedding she always asks, "do you want live music? my son has a band." And Dad tries to make all that he can.

     "So, how were/are your parents?"      Theirrrrrrrr Grrrrrrreat!!!!

ps: Just had the pleasure of throwing and having my band perform at my parents 50th wedding anniversary party! (even had Sis sit in and sing lead for the "first dance") It was great!! Mom still said, "you guys sure are loud".