Dad Friends: An Expert Explains the Meaning and Importance

What Is a Dad Friend?

“This term applies to the friend who is the caretaker, problem solver, or who often feels parentified in some way,” Amodio says. “They are the ‘take charge’ handlers.”

Not to be confused with a “mom friend,” who may be way more nurturing, compassionate, and wants to know if you’ve made it home safely, a dad friend often tells it like it is. Yes, they’re dependable, but they’re also not overly involved in the emotions of your life. When they do step in, though, they’re down to help you figure out anything — usually accompanied by a smile and bad joke or two.

Though the dad friend can look different for every friend group, here are some signs you could be the dad friend, according to Amodio.

Why Dad Friends Are So Important

The dad friend plays a critical role in every friend group. Bringing a laid-back, dependable energy, they can handle problems without being overly dramatic, and they can step up to the plate when plans get derailed. As Amodio adds, “They tend to be the ones who can pull everyone together and handle emergencies.”

But perhaps most importantly, dad friends are the quiet saviors of the group. They’re the ones who show up because they care — not because they want attention or praise or to be considered a “good friend.” Through acts of service, they show their love by fixing things, carrying the heavy stuff, or just being there when no one else knows what to do.

Though it may take time to find a friendship like this, once you have a dad friend, trust that you can rest easy knowing you’ll never have to worry about pretty much anything again. (Translation: your gas and jumper cables will always be taken care of.)