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Fathers are like life’s secret weapons—always there, whether we realize it or not. They drop wisdom when we least expect it, cheer us on when we doubt ourselves, and teach us lessons that we carry for life. From "never give up" to "stay true to yourself," their advice is often what shapes us into who we become. But it’s not just the words; it’s their actions, the way they show up for us, day in and day out, that makes them real heroes.
In this special feature by DHIE, we’ve rounded up some of the best life lessons from kids who are lucky enough to have dads who lead by example. Whether it’s teaching the importance of honesty, the value of hard work, or the power of persistence, these dads know how to leave a lasting impression. Here’s what children are saying about their favourite life lessons from dad.
Sitara with her dad, Krishna Prasad
The best advice my dad has given me is how to manage my money. Even though I’m only twelve, he’s taught me not to waste it on things I don’t really need. At first, I used to spend my money on random stuff just because I wanted it, but after listening to his advice, I realized I needed to be more thoughtful about how I spend.
Sitara,
Class: 7 Yellow,
Head Start Educational Academy, Whitefield
Ayaan with his dad, Rajesh
The best advice my dad has given me is to always speak the truth, no matter what. He’s always told me, ‘Never lie—even when it’s hard, honesty is the best policy.’ I really admire how kind, helpful, and loyal he is. He’s always there for our family, and especially for me. No matter what, I know I can count on him. That loyalty means everything.
Ayaan,
Class 6B,
Sindhi High School, Hebbal
Laya with her dad, Azhi Aadhan
The best advice my dad has given me is that I can do anything. He used to tell me that a lot when I was younger—especially during our car rides to school. He’d give me these positive affirmations that really helped shape my confidence. It made a big difference in how I see myself today. He’s incredibly resilient. He’s also one of the kindest and most caring people I know. One trait I really want to carry with me as I grow older is his empathy. He’s so good at understanding people and being there for them, and that’s something I really look up to.
Laya,
Class 8 Yellow,
Head Start Educational Academy, Whitefield
Prachi with her dad, Pralhad Tavarageri
My dad isn’t someone who gives a lot of advice, but the one thing he’s always told me is: do what you love. I’m the kind of person who gets stressed easily and puts a lot of pressure on myself, so hearing that from him means a lot. He never adds to the pressure. His message is simple: be free, and do what makes you happy. And honestly, that’s been the most valuable advice I’ve ever received. What I admire most is how emotionally available he is. He listens—really listens—especially when I need to vent or talk things out. My mom gets impatient with my long rants, but my dad sits there calmly and gives me his full attention. That kind of patience is rare. He’s also incredibly brave—like classic Indian dad brave. He’s the one who deals with the lizard in the room without flinching! He’s the perfect mix of strong and sensitive, and I really look up to that.
Prachi,
Class 11,
Narayana PU College, Vidyaranyapura
Sonalika with her dad, Ashoka
The best advice my dad has given me is to focus on my future—especially when it comes to education. He encourages me to study hard and even consider going abroad to achieve my goals. He’s always thinking ahead and wants the best for me. Whether it's something big or small, he always finds a way to make me proud just by being there for us and setting a great example.
Sonalika,
Class 8F,
Baldwin Co Education Extension High School, Hosur
Sattvika with her dad, Karmendra
The best advice my dad has given me is to always keep trying and never give up, in everything I do. He constantly motivates me to do my best, and that encouragement really stays with me. My dad and I spend a lot of time together, whether it's going on trips or just hanging out at home playing board games. What makes me most proud is the bond we share. Our father-daughter relationship means a lot to me.
Sattvika,
Class 10
Gear Innovative International School, Bellandur
Charissa with her dad, Sandeep
My dad always tells me, “It’s okay if you fail, just try your best.” He said that to me before a school competition when I was really nervous. It made me feel better and helped me not worry so much. I think it’s cool because he believes in me no matter what. I feel really proud when my dad tells other people that I’m a swimmer and that I make him happy. It makes me feel special, like he’s proud of me too.
Charissa,
Class 6,
Ebenezer International School, Electronics City
Yash with his dad, Sandeep
The best advice my dad has given me is to never give up. He’s always encouraged me to push through challenges, especially in sports. I play cricket and hockey, and just a few weeks ago, I was feeling uncertain about my performance. I talked to him about it, and he reminded me to keep trying and not let setbacks get in the way. That really stuck with me. After every game I played, whether it was cricket or hockey, my dad would come up to me and say, “Well done, I’m proud of you.” It didn’t matter if we won or lost—he always acknowledged the effort I put in. That constant support made me feel really proud to have him as my dad.
Yash,
Class 12,
Delhi Public School East, Dommasandra
Sthuthi with her dad, Jai Prakash
I’ve always got good grades without really studying, and that’s mostly because of my dad. He was never strict, just really kind, and always encouraged me to study even when I didn’t enjoy it. Once, after a small argument with my mom about not practicing piano, he sat me down and said something that really stuck: your gadgets and distractions come last—your education, your family, your passions, they matter so much more. It surprised me, coming from him, because he’s usually so carefree. But that talk changed my mindset. I started enjoying practice and doing my homework more. I’m very close to him, but more like a best friend. We joke around all the time, and even when things go off track, he calmly helps me understand what’s wrong. He always says things in such a gentle way. That advice really stayed with me.
Sthuthi,
Class 7,
The Green School Bangalore (TGSB), Kotur
Chandan with his dad, Mallesh
My dad always tells me to study well so that one day I can get a good job and lead an office. He believes in working hard and aiming high, and that advice really motivates me to focus on my future. I really admire my dad’s strength—he’s both physically strong and mentally tough. I also love how good he is at riding his bike, and how committed he is to his work. His work ethic inspires me to give my best in everything I do.
Chandan,
Class 8,
St. Patrick’s Memorial School, Ullal Uppanagar
Aadya with her dad, Ramesh
My dad always encourages me to push myself, even when I’m unsure of what I’m capable of. That advice has really helped me step out of my comfort zone and try new things, especially when I feel uncertain or afraid of failing. I’m really proud of how hard my dad has worked to provide for our family, especially since he started taking on responsibilities at a young age. His dedication and sacrifices have shaped the life we have today, and that means a lot to me.
Aadya,
Class 12 C,
Sophia High School, Palace Road
Nathan with his dad, Jithu Patel
Honestly, one piece of advice that really stuck with me is when he told me to stay away from rusty stuff. It sounds simple, but it literally saved me from getting 15 tetanus shots in a month! Very practical, very useful advice. There was this one time during our school’s Sports Day where he ran in the parents-only race. I was so proud just seeing him get out there and participate. I actually ran alongside him—even though it was supposed to be just for parents—and I beat all of them! But seeing him take part meant a lot to me. I genuinely admire how he manages to do what feels like 700 trillion things at once. He works, takes care of me and my sister, helps keep the house clean, and does what seems like half the chores- sometimes all within an hour. Then he just goes back to work like it’s no big deal. I still don’t know how he does it. It’s honestly superhero-level stuff.
Nathan,
Class 5,
TALC, Mahadevapura
Ramanujan with his dad, Srinivasagopalan
My dad has given me a lot of great advice, but the one that’s stuck with me the most is how to handle people—especially when they’re being unkind. Whenever I’ve felt hurt or unsure about how to deal with someone talking badly about me, he tells me not to be rude or confrontational. Instead, he encourages me to stay kind but strong and to carry myself in a way that earns respect without letting people walk all over me. That advice has shaped how I deal with a lot of situations. One thing I admire most is how humble he is. Even with all he’s accomplished, he never brags. He’s quietly impressive—you see it in his work, his title, and how he treats people. He’s incredibly kind and thoughtful, and he leads by example. His actions speak louder than any words.
Ramanujan S,
Class 8B,
Sri Vidya Mandir Education Society, Malleswaram
Mayank Hegde with his dad, Harsha Hegde
My dad has given me a lot of great advice, but the one I respect the most is: 'Never give up, even when it feels impossible.' Once during a men's cricket tournament, my dad let me play in his place. I felt really proud and happy that he trusted me enough to represent him. One thing I most admire about my dad is his patience. No matter how busy or stressed he might be, he always takes the time to listen and help me with whatever I need. He never gets angry easily, and he teaches me how to stay calm and think things through. I really respect that about him, and I hope I can be like that when I grow up.
Mayank Hegde,
Class 8A,
Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra, Thanisandra
Ayaan with his dad, Santhosh
My dad always says that skills will take you further in life than just a degree. He tells me it’s not about the name of the college you go to, but about the real abilities and knowledge you gain along the way. He’s seen students from top universities like MIT or Boston Tech struggle to find jobs, which really showed me that qualifications alone aren’t enough—it’s your skills that matter. No matter how hard things get—whether it’s at work or with his personal goals—he gives his full effort. He never quits halfway and always stays focused. That kind of dedication is something I really admire and want to learn from.
Ayaan,
Class 9,
Greenwood High International School, Sarjapur
Thanusri with her dad, Gurupadappa
The most important advice my dad has given me is to chase my dreams and follow my passions. He encourages me to believe in what I want to do and go after it wholeheartedly. I feel proud of how hard he works for our family. He puts in a lot of effort to provide for us, and that really shows me what dedication looks like. His work ethic is something I truly admire. I really admire how he always shares his thoughts and advice with me. It makes me feel heard, and it motivates me to actually follow what he says and apply it in my own life.
Thanusri G,
Class 9,
Embassy Public School, Magdhi Main Road
Varad with his dad, Amitabh
The best advice my dad has given me is to do what I love and not let other people’s opinions cloud my decisions. I’ve often struggled with second-guessing myself, especially when I’m influenced by what others think. But he’s always reminded me to trust my own instincts and follow my passions. That advice has stayed with me. What I admire most is how well-rounded he is. There’s a saying: Jack of all trades, master of none—but that doesn’t apply to him. He’s truly a master of everything he takes on, whether it’s sports, politics, or work. And even with all that, he still makes time for family. His balance and excellence in so many areas really inspire me.
Varad,
Class 9B,
National Public School, (NPS) Koramangala
These stories remind us that the best advice doesn’t always come with a big speech — sometimes, it’s just a quiet moment, a gentle nudge, or a few words that stay with us forever. To every dad who has ever cheered us on, picked us up, or simply listened — a big thank you from DHIE (Deccan Herald in Education). Your words matter, your presence matters, and most of all, you matter.