Not all families are created equal, and not all parents are created equal. For example, some families include a mom and a dad, while in other families the only parental figure is a mother, aunt or grandparent. 

Even when there is a mom and a dad in the picture, not every child is lucky enough to gain a positive role model and good life advice from their parents. 

Reddit user oldskoolflavor asked the community, “Those who grew up with a good father. What was the most important thing you learned from him?”

Whether you knew your father or not, whether you liked your father or not, we can all benefit from important lessons other people learned from their dads. Scroll down for 15 of our favorite life lessons Reddit users learned from their dads.

1. “Take Responsibility”

   Reddit user gaynazifurry4bernie shared:

   “You are the only person you have to live with for the rest of your life .”In other words, take responsibility for what you do, learn how to move past your mistakes, and realize that your actions have consequences.

2. “Be Kind”

   Written by Reddit user panicked228:

   My dad taught me to always be kind. Kindness isn’t loud, it doesn’t need to be stated. It should just be inherent in everything you do. You don’t have to like everyone or treat them well if they don’t treat you well, but you should try to approach everyone with the same kindness you’d wish they’d give you.

3. Easy

   Shared by OrangeGumby27:

   If it was easy, everyone would do it

4. Listen

   A great lesson char1112 learned:

   If you don’t know how to make things better, just listen.

5. Love

   A very important lesson learned by headdna:

   To kids, Time = Love

6. Alcohol

   A great life lesson shared by Benjaminbuttcrack:

   If you ever feel like you have a problem, just know you can live a full happy life without alcohol. He couldn’t control it, and neither could I. He gave it up so he could have his son in his life, I gave it up because of his example.

7. Nature

   Written by regretchen:

   To appreciate nature. The power of sitting in silence and looking at the night sky.

8. Be Early

   lavenderpopcorn wrote:

   Be kind, be polite, and saying you’ll be somewhere “on time” means 10 minutes early.

9. The World

   Written by NotSure733:

   My favorite quote came from the early 2000’s. He died 11 years ago. “If the way this world works ever starts to make sense to you, you need to start worrying about yourself.”

10. A Lot of Great Skills and Lessons

    Reddit user facialscanbefatal added:

    I learned how to be selfless, how to feed everyone else before I sit down, how to enjoy taking care of someone. I learned how to grow vegetables, I learned how to fix a sink, or rig something together if I need to. I learned diplomacy and patience and practicality. I learned to pay attention to what sounds my car is making, how it feels when it turns or when I let go of the wheel. I learned resilience and perseverance. I learned that I should work hard and do the best I can every time I can and that that’s all I can do. He taught he responsibility and morals, regardless of religion or politics. He taught me how to chop parsley and cook steak, how to fry potatoes for breakfast and how to slice tomatoes thin. My father is an immigrant, an engineer, a practical but sensitive and caring man. I wouldn’t be who I am or have what I do without him; everything I am or will be is owed to him (and my mother, who is equally magnanimous).

11. This Is Essential

    A life skill learned by samderome:

    Lefty loosy, righty tighty

12. Curiosity

    Gabstra678 shared:

    Curiosity. Just being eager to learn how stuff works, in general. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, I just like to observe things and wonder things about them (might sound banal but a lot of people seem to lack this)

13. Simple Yet Clear Advice

    Added by Reddit user i_am_a_dead:

    “Don’t be an idiot” changed my life

14. Great Financial Knowledge

    SnapeProbDiedAVirgin shared:

    Compounding interest

15. What Life Is Really About

    Written by Obsidiantic:

    Life is not about success, attaining things, status, etc. Those things have a place, but they shouldn’t be your main focus. Instead, concentrate on being a better version of yourself. Grow, learn, be honest with people and be honest with yourself (which is harder imo). Cultivate real relationships with people. Take care of and be grateful for the one’s you love. It’s okay to fail, but it’s not okay to not try.