Dad Knows Best: 7 Times Your Father Has The Answer You Need

Each parent in a family takes on different roles. It’s not always the same in every family, but it always seems each parent has his or her own role in dealing with their kids. And, to all the single parents who take on both roles, I commend you.

There are so many different kinds of parents and, thus, many different types of dads, too. For example, some dads are known as the dads "who know stuff." I'm pretty sure this is universal. For me, a dad is this guy — the one who knows stuff.

When I have a big life question or am dealing with something “urgent,” my dad is the one who deals with me.

There’s not even usually a clear-cut reason why I think my dad should know something; he just should, and he usually does.

I will never be able to thank my dad enough for putting up with me throughout the years and for always knowing the answers to my craziest life problems — even if, sometimes, he had to pretend.

There are some struggles in life that only my dad can help me through -- fortunately for me, and unfortunately for him.

Here are some things dads always seem to know:

1. How to fix anything

Regardless of whatever they studied in school or whatever their life professions are, dads always seem to know how to fix everything.

It's like they're born knowing how to change a light bulb or exactly why the washing machine is making that weird sound.

They just seem to know, and thank goodness for that because I usually have no idea.

My dad is in retail, but if my door is squeaky or I need an air conditioner installed or the TV is broken, he somehow knows exactly what to do.

He’s the ultimate handyman, partially because of natural skill and partially because he learned children will stop screaming faster once things are fixed.

Sorry about that one, Dad.

2. The best way to get somewhere

Even if my dad has never been somewhere, he can still direct me where to go better than I can direct myself.

My dad has texted me detailed directions for not only how to take the subway, but also how to get all the way from our front door to the exact place I am trying to find. (His patience is incredible.)

Even if he doesn’t know how to get somewhere, his guess is probably better than anything I can come up with.

Dads just seem to always know where they are. And, if they don't, they fake it until they do, which usually works out okay, too.

3. Anything regarding money

How much will this stupid adult "thing" cost? What’s the deal with taxes? How do I fill out this form that allows me to get paid?

Please help me get paid. These are the kinds of things I frantically yell at my dad, as I stumble my way through being an adult.

Money and dealing with it are second-nature skills to some people, but I think even the most money-savvy people trip up a few times when they’re first getting their adult legs. That’s where dads come in.

They’ve been there; they’ve spent it (on you mostly), and they know how to help you handle it. You’ll still probably be broke, but at least Dad can help you understand why.

4. How to be safe

It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’re living or if you're trained in martial arts; dads can’t help but offer up some wise safety advice to their children.

As soon as the never-ending snowfalls start, every single time I leave the house, my dad yells, “It’s slippery out there!”

Yes, the ice was there yesterday, and yes, I’m an adult with a (mostly) working memory, but ice is still slippery and I’m still his kid.

Besides just reminding me to be safe, Dad usually has some pretty good tips on how to make this happen. Whether dads give out the same safety advice a few times or every time, it doesn’t matter; it will never change.

Dads tend to be overly cautious because they they love their kids.

5. How to be professional

From school to internships, we have all learned the gist of conducting ourselves professionally. I’ve held so many internships and been on so many interviews, I should probably win some sort of participation award.

Even so, there are some things I’m always unsure about, like when follow-up emails should be sent and what sorts of questions employers ask.

My dad has run companies; he knows exactly what employers are looking for. When I want to look good in the eyes of the professional world, Dad is often the one who can help me navigate.

6. How to get your act together

Our dads seem to know so many things about the world, which is awesome, but they also know too many things about us, which doesn’t always seem so great.

Dad always seems to be the best person to make us look at our sh*t and remind us we need to figure it out.

Dads don’t always deal with the emotions, and their common motto is more, “You just have to do it,” and sometimes, that’s what we need to hear.

Dad is the one who knows how to make us take responsibly for ourselves, even if it involves a little guilt-tripping every now and then.

7. How to make you feel better

I was once having a breakdown, questioning all of my life decisions, and my dad calmly said to me, “You can always come home. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

We all think that once we get older, we have to move out and move on. My dad, the strong and put-together figure in my life, told me in the simplest way possible that it is okay to not have it figured out. That was everything I needed to hear.

Even though your dad is hard on you sometimes, he's also the one who knows just what to say to get you back on track.

I love you, Dad. Thanks for knowing everything and humoring me, even when you don't.