Trace Gallagher on Effective Parenting and Life Lessons

For three decades, Trace Gallagher has excelled as a Fox News breaking news correspondent. Though skilled before the camera, Gallagher finds parenting daughters requires a different approach. He emphasizes silence and attentiveness as a father’s greatest tools.

Commenting on his daughters, aged 25 and 22, Gallagher notes, “They are different people. When they have a problem, they don’t really want you to talk to them about their problem. They just want you to hear them about the problem. You need to sit, you need to shut up and you need to listen.”

In today’s fast-paced world, filled with social media and mental health challenges, fathers often attempt to fix or lecture. Gallagher, in his book “Turns Out They Were Right All Along,” shares his struggle to suppress the urge to speak. Realizing his daughters preferred to be heard, he adapted. “You learn through the years, you just listen and you nod,” he says.

Gallagher asserts that when daughters sense their fathers’ listening without judgment, they feel secure. This process, he believes, allows daughters to express themselves without screaming, seeking advice only when needed.

Though Gallagher once envisioned having a son, he values his role as a father to daughters. This dynamic extends beyond talks, influencing how fathers can aid in building their daughters’ resilience. He recalls watching his youngest daughter face a setback during soccer. By showing calmness, he reassured her, resulting in a quick recovery and success during the game. “It’s soothing for them to know that somebody is really paying close attention,” he reflects.

This experience contrasts with Gallagher’s own youth. At eight, wanting to quit football, his mother pushed him to face the decision himself. The coach’s challenge soon turned into a lasting passion for the sport. “I fell in love with football and played it through college,” Gallagher remembers.

Gallagher believes today’s youth should confront their own challenges, learning valuable life skills in the process. “If you want to do something, if you want to quit something, you need to do it. You need to fight your own battles,” he advises.

In his book, Gallagher emphasizes that guidance can come in unexpected ways. While not always recognized immediately, valuable life lessons exist everywhere. “Listen to people. Hear them out,” he concludes, emphasizing the unassuming power of attentiveness.