diff --git a/autodepgraph/graph.py b/autodepgraph/graph.py
index 2dc2793..5ea63a5 100644
--- a/autodepgraph/graph.py
+++ b/autodepgraph/graph.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def snapshot(self, update=False):
             snap['nodes'][node.name] = node.snapshot(update=update)
         return snap
 
-    def add_node(self, node):
+    def add_node(self, node,  parents=None):
         """
         Adds a node to the graph.
         Args:
@@ -108,6 +108,9 @@ def add_node(self, node):
         self._node_pos = None
         self._graph_changed_since_plot = True
 
+        if parents is not None:
+            node.parents(parents)
+
         return node
 
     def clear_node_state(self):