7 Things Dads Can Do Better Than Moms

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give to another person, he believed in me.
~ Jim Valvano

Moms are always thought of as a default parent. They are the ones who care, feed, nurture and protect children. It is called motherly instinct, and it is hardwired in every mom's brain. It is seen that everybody feels a stronger bond towards his/her mother than the father. This is true even in case of animals.

Dads have always been blamed for being clueless, when it comes to parenting. But in some instances they have been so great that they have outdone moms. Their way of exposing the child to the outer world and giving him the courage to get up and fight back, is the real parenting style of a dad.

It is rightly said that anybody can be a father, but it is very difficult to be a dad. A father is one who gives his name to the child, but a dad is someone who teaches him the ways of dealing with life. In other words, a dad is someone who makes sure that his child stays true to his father's name.

They have the strength to play rough with the kids. Playful fights, punches and throw-catch games are their favorites. In kids, this inculcates a fighting spirit and the habit of meeting challenges head on. They also learn to play within set boundaries, develop physical skills, and develop confidence to solve problems on their own.

While playing, when dads try to keep the ball out of the kid's reach and the child tries to reach for it, it helps develop patience and perseverance in kids. They know that they cannot go mad and lose their temper with dad, so they have to keep trying and enjoying the game.

'Helicopter parent' is the term used for a parent who is over-protective of his kid. While a little caring and protecting is normal, too much of it would deprive the kid of the fun of learning from his own mistakes. Dads are much more daring, when it comes to allowing children to have some fun.

They let kids take the leap and if they fall, dads would kiss them, tend to them, and prepare them for the next leap. They make sure that they are present around the corner with a watchful eye, but they never interfere every now and then, unlike moms who fret at the very sight of danger.

Dads usually ignore too many details and hence, save on time and irritation.

If the kid has picked up an argument with someone, dads will usually not interfere and let the kids sort it out on their own. But he will make sure that there is no abusing, or name calling, or violence. We cannot call it ignorance, but fathers have this knack for letting little things go, without making a mountain out of a molehill.

When it comes to dressing up the kids, dads are again termed as ignorant. They do not think much about the 'which-shoes-to-match-with-the-hair-band' routine, that moms usually go through when they are dressing up their lil' princesses. They leave out the details thinking, as long as it keeps the kid warm and covered, it doesn't matter.

An appreciation from dad lifts up the spirits.

When dads teach a new thing to the kids, after sometime, they disengage themselves and let the kids take over. They stand next to the kid, while the kid does the job. If the kid requires help, they will support in a shoulder-to-shoulder manner rather than a heart-to-heart emotional way.

And if the kid successfully completes the task at hand or plays the game well, they will truly appreciate it. Out of personal experience, I can say that there is nothing in this world that can boost your confidence and self-esteem, than a few words of appreciation from dad.

I'm not saying that a mom's appreciation is any less, but when you listen to such words from your dad, the experience is something of higher order.

Dads usually are adept at getting to the same level as their child, in order to have fun with them. They have no problem running around with the kids and getting dirty. Daddy will play sports as well as video games with the kids. He will make growing up fun for the kids.

Dads also have an ability to convert work into play and teach kids the vital lessons of life in a light-hearted, playful manner. He is the one who teaches the kids 'not to care about the world' and 'be their own selves'. He can teach Math and Physics, at the same time also teach the art of fishing.

Dads see the world with a clear practical vision. They know the consequences, and see the rational side of the equation. They can analyze things rather than becoming emotional about them. I'm not saying that moms are bad at it, but they are more inclined towards peacekeeping.

Mothers are hardwired in a way that makes them more emotional. Kids who have enjoyed their time with their fathers, in their growing years, tend to become good thinkers and problem-solvers.

They develop a solid self-image and can resist giving in to peer pressure, in a better way. They also develop longer attention spans which eventually helps them in their academics.

In their formative years, most kids consider their dad as their role model. Young kids are like play dough, they tend to suck up every bit of new information they get from their surroundings and start mimicking them.

If the father behaves respectfully towards women, especially his wife and mother, they are unknowingly influencing their sons for forming better relationships with women later in their lives.

If fathers help their wives a little around the house with the daily chores, are good at fixing things, and demonstrate being a good team-player in the house rather than a team leader, kids are bound to follow the behavior.

In summation, I can only say that there are some things about which a man has instinctual information, and then there are other things about which a woman has instinctual information. Nature has made it that way! We can never debate on the 'Who is the better parent?' topic. But yes, dads are special and nobody can take their place.