How to Make Your Dad Happy

Everyone wants a close relationship with their father. By making your dad happy, you will receive more love from him and experience more joy yourself. While making him content may seem difficult, it's essential for building family happiness. Your dad could be very happy if you pay attention to how you communicate with him and do certain things well in life.

Spend time with your dad. This can be tough, especially when you’re busy with school and your dad is occupied with work. Try to spend time with him and share your thoughts and perspectives to strengthen your bond. Aim to have at least one meal together every day – it's a great opportunity for both of you to talk about the day’s events, your worries, or other important matters. If your dad also shares about his life, later on, ask him more questions to show that you are actively listening.

• Learn about your dad’s life. Take time to ask about his youth, dreams, career, and cherished memories. As you grow older, you will come to value these stories. Moreover, they will give you greater insight into your dad’s thoughts and mindset.
• Listen and genuinely seek to understand what your dad is saying. Listening shows your care and will help you connect better with him.

Avoid arguments. It can be difficult not to talk back to your father, especially when you disagree or when he prevents you from doing something you're passionate about. Learn to control your emotions and talk to your father when you're calm. If you're feeling angry, take deep, slow breaths, or if possible, sit down and drink a glass of cold water to help calm down.

• Always try to understand your father's point of view. He may have a specific reason for forbidding something or thinking differently from you. You may realize that his restrictions are his way of protecting you.
• If your father seems upset, try to figure out why. Is he tired? Has work been stressful today? Or is he worried about something? His bad mood may not always be because of you.

Ask your father for advice. Turn to your father when you need advice on topics like studying, friends, finances, or finding a job. Doing so shows that you value his opinions. Even if he lacks experience in a particular area, he's likely to offer valuable advice on how to approach the issue and how to solve it in the best possible way.

Show affection. Let your father know you care for him. You can express this through kind words or physical gestures like hugs and kisses. Many fathers aren't comfortable with displays of affection, and you might not be used to showing love this way, but everyone needs those expressions of care.

• Sometimes, sons are especially shy about showing affection to their fathers. Try to show love in ways that feel comfortable to you. For instance, there's no need to hug your father in public if you're not comfortable with it.

Follow your father's philosophy. You can take some time to list your father's guiding principles by thinking about phrases he often repeats, such as ‘Always be honest,’ or ‘Do your best.’ These words carry the values he’s trying to teach you (in these examples, it’s honesty and hard work). Your father might not always talk about these ideas, but you can observe his actions—how he’s always on time, dresses neatly, and works diligently—and try to emulate them.

• You don't have to agree with everything your father says or does. Focus on the values that positively impact your life and try to follow them. If you disagree with any of his beliefs, talk to him. Who knows? Maybe you both could change that perspective for the better.

Do household chores. Think about the tasks your father frequently reminds you to do, the ones you are responsible for completing daily. If you dislike housework because it feels difficult or boring, you can ask your father for tips, and maybe he'll help you tackle them in a more manageable way.

• Asking for advice also shows that you value your father's input. Remember to follow his advice. He might feel disrespected if you ask for help but then do things your own way.
• Never make your father ask why the chores aren't done. Set a schedule and set daily reminders on your phone to form the habit of completing everything on time.

Take initiative with household chores. Pay attention to tasks around the house that your parents haven't asked you to do and take the initiative to complete them, surprising your father. Think about the tasks that have been piling up for months without anyone addressing them. You can also consider your father's daily habits. For example, if he drinks coffee before work, make him a cup every day, and he will appreciate that you care.

• Don't forget to be considerate of other family members, especially when using the living room or kitchen. Don't leave a mess for others to clean up.

Keep your room tidy. One common complaint parents have about their children is the mess in their rooms. Even if you have your own space, show your father that you can take responsibility for what belongs to you by keeping your room clean and organized.

• Keep your closet neat by folding or hanging clothes, placing dirty laundry in the hamper, and folding blankets in the morning after you wake up.
• If you want to decorate your room with things like posters, make sure you're not embarrassed about them if your father happens to check out your space.

Use the internet and phone responsibly. This is especially important if your father pays for your phone and internet services. Having access to these is a privilege, not a right. Show that you respect the money your father spends and the values he teaches you.

• Discuss the limits for using electronic devices with your father. Follow the rules he sets, such as when you're allowed to use the computer until bedtime or what you can post on social media.
• Avoid using electronic devices during meals to show respect for your father and the family. Focusing on the meal is also a way to show you value the time spent together.

Take care of your siblings. Make home a peaceful, comfortable, and welcoming place for your father to return to. Strive to get along with your siblings, avoid bullying the younger ones, and don't tease the older ones. Help them with their studies, solve life problems together, and enjoy fun moments. If you're old enough to drive and have a car, offer to help your father with picking up or dropping off your siblings when needed.

• It's normal for siblings to argue sometimes, but make a real effort to get along with them.

Study well. Show your parents that you are determined to succeed in life by focusing on your studies, working hard, and doing your best to complete your homework on time. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask your teachers or friends for clarification and seek additional resources to help you understand better.

• Set a study schedule. Estimate how much time you need to finish your homework and plan your afternoons and evenings accordingly, including time for review and breaks.
• Consider studying in 45-minute blocks with 10-minute breaks in between, turning off your phone to stay fully focused, and avoiding distractions. Test various study techniques until you find the one that works best for you.
• Study in a quiet, private room.
• Organize your books and supplies neatly. Keep materials for each subject separately and label assignments with their due dates to stay on track.

Build a good relationship with your teachers. Create a positive image for yourself by always being respectful to teachers, striving to perform well academically, and actively participating in class discussions. It may be difficult to be polite or respectful when you don’t like a teacher or if your classmates are disruptive. However, lead by example with appropriate behavior. Your parents will be proud to hear positive feedback from your teachers.

• This doesn’t mean you should blindly accept everything teachers say. If a teacher treats you or others unfairly, report the issue to the school administration and inform your parents so they can be aware of the situation.

Participate in extracurricular activities. Excelling at school isn’t just about doing well academically. Joining extracurricular activities will help you grow as an individual: you’ll learn valuable life skills such as discipline, leadership, teamwork, time management, analytical thinking, soft skills, and organizational skills while enjoying fun activities. These are all essential skills for success in life, something every parent hopes for their child.

• Extracurriculars will also enhance your CV by showcasing a wide range of interests and values that potential employers may be seeking.

Make friends with good people. Show your parents that you have good judgment when it comes to choosing friends. You should make friends with students who are respectful, perform well academically, have a good character, and avoid getting into trouble. You’ll learn a lot from them, and befriending such people will help you stay out of trouble. If you’d like, you can propose studying together in a group.

• Don’t do something just because your friends are doing it. Think carefully before acting. If you feel pressured by your friends, talk to your parents or school counselors for advice.

• In addition to giving gifts, organizing a surprise birthday celebration is also a wonderful way to make your father happy.