Alright, let’s talk about this thing I tried the other day. Got this picture in my head, you know? A real pro soccer player, maybe after winning a match, with his kid perched up on his shoulders, beaming. That classic image. Seemed simple enough, right? A powerful moment.
So, I figured, why not give it a go myself? Not the pro part, obviously. Just the dad-and-kid-on-shoulders bit, maybe kick a ball around the yard. Felt like a good bonding thing to try. Got my boy, who’s still pretty light, thankfully, and hoisted him up. He thought it was great fun, laughing away up there, holding onto my head for dear life.
Getting Started
First off, just getting him balanced felt like a small victory. Kids wiggle, you know? They don’t just sit still like a sack of potatoes. So, there I was, trying to stand straight, feeling his weight shift every time he pointed at a bird or something. Already felt less like a triumphant pro and more like a wobbly giraffe.
Then came the soccer ball part. Okay, maybe ‘soccer ball’ is generous. It was one of those soft foam balls, just to be safe. I thought I’d just gently tap it with my foot. Keep it simple. But coordinating walking, balancing a giggling kid, and kicking a ball? Forget about it.
- Step 1: Get the kid securely on shoulders. Check. (Sort of).
- Step 2: Introduce the ball. Check.
- Step 3: Attempt a gentle kick while moving. Fail.
The ball went sideways, I nearly tripped, and my son decided that was the perfect moment to try and grab my glasses. Let’s just say the professional grace wasn’t quite there. We ended up just shuffling around, him laughing, me mostly concentrating on not dropping him. We ditched the ball pretty quickly.
What I Reckon Now
It got me thinking, though. Those professional guys, they make everything look so easy, don’t they? But doing that, carrying your kid on your shoulders after running around for 90 minutes… that’s strength, sure, but it’s also about something else. It’s like showing everyone, ‘This is what I do it for’. It’s more than just a game then.
Maybe the practice wasn’t about becoming a soccer pro with my kid as a victory trophy. Maybe it was just about that moment of connection. Him up high, seeing the world from my view, trusting me not to fall. Me, feeling that weight, that responsibility, but also the pure fun of it. We didn’t look like the pros, not even close. But we had a good laugh. And honestly, keeping him safe and happy up there felt like a bigger win than scoring any goal.
It’s funny, you set out to try one thing, replicate some image you saw, and you end up learning something totally different. Less about the soccer, more about the simple act of being a dad, I suppose. Just carrying him around, that was the important part. The rest is just details.
