Not everyone has the same start in life, and sometimes we don’t realise how lucky we were until we look back.
If you had certain experiences, opportunities, or even just simple comforts growing up, you might not have thought much of them at the time. But as life goes on, it becomes clear just how much of an advantage they really were. Here are some of the things that, if you had them growing up, made you far more fortunate than you might have realised.
1. Parents who made you feel safe
Feeling secure at home is something that not every child gets to experience. If you grew up knowing that no matter what happened, your home was a place of safety, that’s a huge privilege. Having parents or guardians who made sure you felt protected and loved gives a foundation that stays with you for life. Many people grow up in chaotic or unpredictable environments, where home doesn’t always feel like a refuge. If you never had to worry about feeling unsafe in your own space, you had something incredibly valuable—peace of mind.
2. Adults who genuinely listened to you
Not all kids get taken seriously when they talk. If you had parents, teachers, or relatives who truly listened to you, respected your thoughts, and encouraged you to speak up, that was a gift. Feeling heard as a child builds confidence and helps you develop communication skills. Many children grow up feeling ignored or dismissed, making them hesitant to express themselves later in life. Having adults who cared about what you had to say gave you the freedom to develop your voice without fear of being shut down.
3. A stable place to call home
Moving constantly or dealing with housing instability can be incredibly stressful for a child. If you had a home that felt steady — one where you knew you’d wake up in the same bed every night — that stability was a blessing. Having a place where you could put down roots creates a sense of security that’s hard to replace. Kids who experience frequent moves or unstable living situations often struggle with feeling settled. If you never had to worry about where you’d be living next, that stability helped shape your sense of comfort in the world.
4. Access to books and learning
Having books at home or easy access to libraries is something many people take for granted. But for children who grow up without them, it’s a huge disadvantage. Being surrounded by books helps develop curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Not every child gets bedtime stories or the chance to explore different worlds through reading. If you had books at your fingertips, you had a head start in education and imagination that many kids don’t get.
5. The freedom to play and explore
Childhood should be filled with play, adventure, and discovery. If you had the chance to run around outside, use your imagination, and explore without constant restrictions, you were lucky. Play isn’t just about having fun; it’s how kids learn about the world and develop problem-solving skills. Some children grow up in environments where play isn’t a priority, either due to safety concerns or other limitations. If you had the chance to climb trees, build forts, or create your own little worlds, you had the kind of freedom that helps shape a strong and creative mind.
6. Knowing where your next meal was coming from
Food insecurity is something far too many children experience. If you grew up never having to worry about whether there would be food on the table, you were in a privileged position. Having regular, nourishing meals helps with focus, energy, and overall well-being. Many kids go to school hungry or rely on school meals as their only guaranteed food source. If you always had enough to eat and didn’t have to stress about it, that’s something to be deeply grateful for.
7. Parents who encouraged your dreams
Not every child grows up with encouragement. If your parents or guardians supported your interests, whether it was music, art, sports, or academics, that was a big advantage. Having someone who believes in you from a young age makes it easier to believe in yourself. Some kids are discouraged from pursuing what they love or feel pressured to follow paths that don’t suit them. If you were given the freedom and support to chase your passions, you had something truly special.
8. A good education
Going to school might have felt like an obligation at the time, but access to a solid education is something not everyone gets. If you had teachers who cared, resources to help you learn, and the opportunity to build knowledge, you had an advantage. Many kids grow up in underfunded schools or in places where education isn’t easily accessible. If you had the chance to learn in a supportive environment, it gave you tools that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
9. A strong sense of self-worth
Source: Pexels Growing up with self-confidence doesn’t just happen; it’s usually the result of being surrounded by people who encourage and support you. If you were raised to believe in yourself, to feel worthy of love and success, you had an invaluable head start. Many people spend years unlearning self-doubt that was instilled in them as children. If you had adults who made you feel capable and valued, that belief in yourself became a powerful foundation for your future.
10. A safe space to express emotions
Source: Unsplash Being able to cry, vent, or talk about feelings without being shut down is something not all kids experience. If you were allowed to express your emotions without fear of being mocked or dismissed, you were given a healthy emotional environment to grow in. Many kids are taught to suppress their feelings or are made to feel like their emotions are a burden. If you were encouraged to talk about what was on your mind, it helped you develop emotional intelligence and a strong sense of self-awareness.
11. Friends who truly cared about you
Source: Unsplash Not everyone grows up with strong, supportive friendships. If you had friends who made you feel accepted, stood by you in tough times, and shared the ups and downs of life, you were lucky. Good friendships in childhood help shape the way we connect with people as adults. Many kids experience loneliness or struggle to find people who truly understand them. If you had even one or two close friends who had your back, you experienced something incredibly meaningful.
12. Parents who apologised when they were wrong
Source: Unsplash Not all parents admit their mistakes. If you grew up with adults who could apologise and show you that being wrong is okay, you learned an important lesson about humility and accountability. It teaches kids that respect goes both ways. Some children grow up in environments where authority is never questioned, even when it’s unfair. If you had parents who could say, “I was wrong,” you learned a valuable lesson about honesty and growth.
13. Having access to medical care
Source: Unsplash Being able to go to the doctor when needed isn’t something every child gets. If you had regular check-ups, dental visits, and medicine when you needed it, you were in a fortunate position. Health should be a basic right, but for many, it’s a privilege. Some kids grow up without access to medical care, leading to untreated illnesses and long-term health issues. If you were taken care of when you were sick, you had a security that not everyone experiences.
14. Adults who modelled kindness
Source: Unsplash Watching the adults around you treat people with kindness and respect helps shape the way you interact with the world. If you grew up in an environment where kindness was normal, you likely carried that forward into your own life. Not every child gets to witness positive relationships and compassion in action. If you saw empathy and fairness in your home, you were given a strong moral compass early on.
15. Feeling genuinely loved
At the core of it all, feeling loved is one of the greatest gifts a person can have growing up. Whether it came from family, friends, or a mentor, knowing that someone truly cared about you made a world of difference. Some people spend their entire lives searching for the love and validation they didn’t receive as children. If you grew up knowing, without a doubt, that you were loved, you had something more valuable than anything money could buy.
