Dad, You Have Superpowers, Here’s How to Use Them Well

Dad, do you realize how powerful you are in your children’s eyes?

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To them, you’re not just the guy who grills dinner or drives the minivan. You’re the one who holds the world together. You are the orbit—the gravitational pull that keeps their little universe spinning in place.

That might sound exaggerated, but it’s closer to reality than you think. One well-timed word, a shared adventure, or a look of pride can shape your child’s sense of worth for years to come.

A Moment of Accidental Glory

There was a time I took my 9-year-old son and his buddies on a camping trip. We lined up some soda cans on a log for target practice with his new BB gun. I took the first shot—completely from the hip—and miraculously nailed a can.

Their jaws dropped.

“WHOA, dude, your dad is amazing!”

In that moment, it didn’t matter that I was just as surprised as they were. I shrugged it off like I meant to do it, but inside I was stunned.

It wasn’t the accuracy that mattered. It was the moment. The awe. The admiration. The spark of connection. A lucky shot turned into a lifelong memory.

Ordinary Moments, Extraordinary Impact

The truth is, you don’t need trick shots or comic book feats to earn your child’s admiration. What they really crave is your presence—and your belief in them.

Your greatest “superpower” as a dad isn’t your strength or skill. It’s your relational presence and consistent influence.

• They believe your words.
• They mimic your attitudes.
• They feel your approval—or your absence—deep in their identity.

Use Your Superpowers Wisely

Here are a few ways to harness your influence every day:

1. Show Up in the Small Moments

Tuck them in. Help with homework. Watch their favorite show with them. These ordinary moments build trust and set the stage for the big ones.

2. Speak Life Into Their Identity

You don’t need to lecture. Just be intentional. Say, “You’re brave,” “You’re kind,” “I’m proud of the way you handled that.” These affirmations build a framework for how they see themselves.

3. Let Your Values Shine Through Action

How you treat people, handle conflict, and pursue faith or purpose—that’s the blueprint your kids will follow. You’re modeling adulthood every day, whether you know it or not.

4. Lean Into Conversations

Be the dad who listens. Ask curious questions. When they open up, pause and be fully present. It tells them: “You matter. I’m with you.”

5. Celebrate the Ordinary Hero Moments

Fixing the leaky faucet? Teaching them to ride a bike? Saying “no” to an extra work meeting so you can show up at their game? These are hero moves. And your kids notice—even if they don’t say it yet.

With Great Power…

Dad, your children aren’t just watching you—they’re absorbing you. Your tone. Your choices. Your passions. Your presence.

You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to show up. Because in their eyes, you are a hero with a cape they can't see—a man who has the power to shape their world.

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