If Your Dad Had These 11 Low-Key Skills, You Won The Parent Lottery
Hananeko_Studio | Shutterstock Fatherhood isn't about how much money you're spending on your children or taking care of the technical aspects of childcare. Children usually remember dads who make time to go on fun adventures, show up when they're feeling emotionally scared, and express love day after day. They're the dads who are fixing things before anyone ever notices they're broken and they help create memories throughout your childhood that you look back on fondly because you felt safe and valued. The little things matter so much more than the big moments, especially to children.
A dad who remembers how you like your eggs in the morning and can make a joke when he senses that you're feeling low are usually the moments that stick with you. And if your dad had these low-key skills, you won the parent lottery, because they shape both your childhood and your adulthood. It's those skills that dads exhibit that mean the most to their children because they turned ordinary life into something extremely special without having to do much.
If your dad had these 11 low-key skills, you won the parent lottery
1. Fixing anything without you asking
Andrew Angelov | Shutterstock
Whether it was the toaster that wasn't working in the kitchen or your squeaky bedroom door, your dad would make sure to fix these things without being asked to. You might not have even noticed that these things around the house were working perfectly fine because of your dad's ability to just solve problems before they turn into this big disaster.
"If your young child can trust you to be there for them no matter what’s going on in their world or yours, they'll feel stronger and more confident," pointed out developmental psychologist Dona Matthews.
It's like he's the reason that things are kept together, one minor fix at a time. He makes it look effortless, which is probably the best part. There's no dramatic announcement on his part. He just goes in and really knows how to figure it out.
2. Reading the room instantly
PeopleImages | Shutterstock
A good dad knows when his kids need to hear a joke and when they need him to be more serious. He also knows exactly when to just stay quiet because talking will make things worse. He's not one to overthink or even overreact. He just knows what the room needs at any given moment.
Because of this kind of awareness, he's able to prevent conflict and even lighten the mood when it needs to be. When it comes to his kids, he's quite in-tune to their emotions and feelings as well. That kind of skill keeps the house running smoothly and makes everyone feel that much more understood and cared for.
3. Handling awkward conversations
PeopleImages | Shutterstock
Whether it's having to talk about finances, relationship problems, or an issue happening at work, if your dad had these 11 low-key skills, you won the parent lottery, because he could have these difficult conversations with ease.
When it's time to talk to Dad, you never feel cornered or embarrassed about anything. It's the same way that he's able to give advice without making it feel like a lecture.
He can sit down and have a comfortable conversation with someone even if the topic they're discussing might not be the most comfortable. He can face them head-on while maintaining this sense of complete ease.
He's patient and he'll sit with you while you try and get your thoughts together. There's never any pressure to open up about things that you're not ready to talk about either.
4. Giving advice without making it a lecture
fizkes | Shutterstock
A dad like this is able to just drop a life lesson in the middle of a casual conversation that makes you feel like you're not being spoken down to. He's able to guide without actually putting pressure and making his advice feel like a gift rather than an order that needs to be followed.
"How advice is delivered often determines the likelihood that it will be used. Because most of us don't want to hear what we're doing wrong, the manner in which our flaws are pointed out to us is critical. For many, hearing implications that there was no possibility of a positive outcome due to their actions leaves them feeling ashamed or put down," licensed psychologist Pamela D. Brown explained.
It definitely takes skill to know when someone needs to hear something because they're stressed or just sad. It's also the tone with which a dad is giving this advice. There's absolutely no judgment behind his words. Instead, he's giving it from a place where he just wants to see you be happy and fulfilled.
5. Knowing how to make you laugh in stressful situations
fizkes | Shutterstock
Your dad somehow has this uncanny ability to really lighten the mood when you might have felt bogged down by the pressures of life. He knew when you were about to lose your cool and he'd swoop in with a well-timed joke that really alleviated all of that pressure from your shoulders.
He's not just cracking jokes randomly. Instead, he knows when you need that break from living inside your head. When he makes you laugh in these stressful moments, he's showing you from an early age that things aren't always as bad as they may seem. That lightness really helps you just take a step back and breathe rather than getting overworked.
6. Remembering everything you forgot
fizkes | Shutterstock
There are some dads who can't even remember the name of their children's friends or have to constantly ask how old they're turning on each birthday. But a loving and caring dad can remember details and casually bring them up.
He doesn't ever have to probe his children to remind him of anything, because when they talk he's genuinely listening. That attention to detail shows just how much he cares, especially about the things that matter to you. "Your presence as a parent is so important in how your child responds to fear and learns about new fears," insisted clinical psychologist Cara Goodwin.
Growing up with a dad who has this skill means you might end up picking up on it. As you get older, you see the importance of being someone who's attentive to those that you care about. Even if you might not have the most perfect memory, you appreciate the thoughtfulness that comes with just being able to remember small things.
7. Staying calm under pressure
PeopleImages | Shutterstock
If your dad had the skill of staying calm under pressure, you won the parent lottery, because it made you feel safe and relaxed. The second that things may start to get a bit hectic and chaotic, he doesn't buck under the pressure.
Instead, he's able to stay completely calm and be the anchor that his kids and the rest of the family may need in that time. He's able to make rational decisions without losing his cool, and that calmness doesn't just help solve the problems, but it truly does keep the peace.
"When we feel in turmoil, our mind desperately wants to find meaning, to solve and resolve. When the body is in fight-or-flight, thoughts follow suit. Using an anxious mind to try and resolve inner turbulence is often futile," pointed out psychologist Kyle Davies.
It means he's thinking clearly through every single step and making sure everyone else is keeping their heads on straight. When you're seeing your dad remain calm in these high-stress moments, it really does shape how you approach your own pressures as you get older.
8. Making you feel proud
pics five | Shutterstock
He notices his kids' wins. It doesn't matter if they're big or small. He finds the best ways to celebrate without it being corny. Growing up in a household with that kind of encouragement probably helped build up your confidence.
At the same time, he's not going to exaggerate or try to inflate your accomplishments. He'll be your biggest cheerleader when it comes to making you feel capable and confident, but he'll also be realistic as well.
He won't ever try to dampen your spirits either, and if you want to stick down the path, he'll be there with you for every step of the way. All he wants is to build your self-worth so that you also are able to believe in yourself. That's truly a gift that sticks with you even long after you've grown up and no longer live in the same house as him.
9. Making ordinary moments fun
pics five | Shutterstock
He can turn a simple errand into a memory that you'll look back on fondly because of how fun it was. He's simply able to find joy in the most mundane moments. He doesn't need to plan anything fancy or make a big production of things. He's just able to move through life and find the silliness along the way.
These moments he's creating with his kids really does help strengthen the bond between everyone. Whether it was giving piggy-back rides or turning homework into a game, if your dad had these low-key skills, you won the parent lottery.
"We spend so much time trying to help our children develop into responsible people that we may not pay enough attention to the fun of childhood. The next time you’re doing something with your child, think of a way to make it more fun," licensed marriage and family therapist David Schwartz encouraged.
He's showing that life doesn't have to be serious and stagnant all the time. And even in the midst of doing something boring, it can be fun and memorable. Growing up with a dad who has this skill meant that you were never without a smile on your face or laughing until your stomach started to hurt.
10. Handling criticism gracefully
Prostock-studio | Shutterstock
He can hear feedback without getting defensive, especially when that feedback is coming from his children. He won't try and point the finger at everyone else. Instead, he'll take accountability where it needs to be taken. He'll also apologize and change his behavior moving forward rather than remaining the exact same.
Growing up with a dad who is showing you the right way to handle criticism means that you're also learning how to do it without leaning on anger and frustration, or even taking it personally. It truly shapes how you handle setbacks and mistakes further down the line in life.
It also just makes it that much easier to communicate with a dad who won't snap at you for bringing up an issue that you may have with him as well.
11. Knowing how to listen
Inside Creative House | Shutterstock
He's able to genuinely listen to his kids without interrupting or rushing to offer a solution they didn't ask for. He's able to make you feel heard and that kind of skill means you trust him wholeheartedly when it comes to sharing the things that are on your chest. He's listening to understand, which can be incredibly comforting.
"So particularly in caring relationships, like in a family, adequate verbal sharing and listening keep people feeling closely connected, current with what is going on," pointed out psychologist Carl E. Pickhardt.
Especially during moments where you feel stressed or upset, you know you can turn to your dad to just be the listening ear that you need. There's no fear that he'll dismiss your feelings or make excuses for the situations you're going through. Instead, he's created a home that feels safe and where being honest is always encouraged, no matter what.
Nia Tipton is a staff writer with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and journalism who covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on psychology, relationships, and the human experience.
