# I will punch the next person that makes a comment about shoulder riding in the face. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850 "2012-09-06T14:28:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![thatguyjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@thatguyjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatguyjeff)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/41 "2012-09-06T16:53:07Z")
Did the shoulder thing with my son (now 6) all the time. Now doing it with my daughter who is 2. No one has ever said a word to me - about the shoulder thing or anything else. You just aren’t carrying yourself right. If you walk around all day looking like a mark, you’re going to get static. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/42 "2012-09-06T16:55:16Z")
It’s far easier for me to carry my boy (just turned 3) on my shoulders - I can hang on to his legs. He doesn’t understand the concept of a “piggyback” I can’t get a good grip on him, and he won’t hang on. And carrying him on my hip is just too hard after a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/43 "2012-09-06T17:40:12Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > You’re somebody’s _father_? > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > That part’s fine, but does the kid have to keep asking “_who_ run Bartertown?” You two owe me a new husband. He’s been working a lot of overtime, and I laughed so hard I woke him up and now he’s pissed at me. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/44 "2012-09-06T18:58:14Z")
I walked the Vegas strip from Treasure Island to the Excalibur at dusk with my 5 year-old son on my shoulders. With all the lights and action going on he thought it was the greatest thing in the world riding above everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/45 "2012-09-06T19:11:13Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > kids that age are speaking phrases and simple sentences. > > ‘low bridge’ should be one of them. it also helps the kid realize depth perception. With Piper Cub, any time we get close to a low-hanging tree when he’s on my shoulder, I ask if the tree is going to tickle his hair. He says “No it’s not” and ducks down - a great game. [QUOTE=Maus Magill] How could anyone try to buzzkill the unrestrained glee of a toddler riding his father’s shoulder? That’s just wrong. [/QUOTE] Exactly. Too many Miss Grundy’s in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/46 "2012-09-06T20:23:48Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > \ > > I’ve seen a few people smack their kids’ heads on the overhead bin or the door jam… > \ And then everyone who sees it has to try so hard not to laugh lest you be branded a Bad Person… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/47 "2012-09-06T20:28:27Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > How could anyone try to buzzkill the unrestrained glee of a toddler riding his father’s shoulder? > > That’s just wrong. This is exactly what I came in here to say. Too many killjoys around. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/48 "2012-09-06T20:35:52Z")
I visited my sister when Jr. was about 2. Poking through the garage I found my skateboard from high school. My nieces apparently swiped it years ago. With Jr. on my shoulders, I threw the board down, stepped on, and rode down the driveway just like old times. I’m no Tony Falcon or anything, but I am good.😃 Thought my wife and sister were going to have a heart attack, but the boy loved it, so we kept on for an hour. Was that wrong? Should I not have done that?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/49 "2012-09-06T20:40:29Z")
What about those baby backpacks? I thought I’d get one of those if I ever became a father. I think they are set so that the kid ends up about head height with you, lowering the risk of smashing the youngin’s head against low hanging obstructions. Anyone use those? I’m also getting me one of those kid leashes. I don’t care what my wife says. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/50 "2012-09-06T20:48:10Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > What about those baby backpacks? > > I thought I’d get one of those if I ever became a father. I think they are set so that the kid ends up about head height with you, lowering the risk of smashing the youngin’s head against low hanging obstructions. > > Anyone use those? > > I’m also getting me one of those kid leashes. I don’t care what my wife says. Baby backpacks are great. Used it hiking, going to festivals and fairs etc. he could even sleep and not fall out. Plus, your hands are free! Great for those busy, crowded places. But shoulders are fun too! ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/51 "2012-09-06T20:48:55Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > I’d be less worried about him falling than I would hitting his head on something. A few weekends ago we were at the state fair, walking along in a relatively slow-moving crowd. A guy with a kid on his shoulders was apparently in a hurry so he excused himself past all of us, jogging his way through…and almost ran his son’s head into the overhang on a food vendor stand. Eh, a bump on the head or two won’t kill them. I carried our son on my shoulders all the time…and there were a few times when I wasn’t paying attention, or I misjudged the height of an awning…he survived OK. Of course, I didn’t make a habit of \*jogging \*with him on my shoulders, but that may just be because I wasn’t in good enough shape 🙂 > [@grude](#): > > I’m starting to think it is the single man with child thing, when my wife is with me comments are rare. I think you may be onto something here. There is a contingent of people who believe that a man can’t \*possibly \*take care of children without assistance, so if you’re so unfortunate as to not have your own woman to help you, they must fulfill that role for you. You really should be thanking them, you know… ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/52 "2012-09-06T20:50:20Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > What about those baby backpacks? > > I thought I’d get one of those if I ever became a father. I think they are set so that the kid ends up about head height with you, lowering the risk of smashing the youngin’s head against low hanging obstructions. > > Anyone use those? > > I’m also getting me one of those kid leashes. I don’t care what my wife says. I had one of those when my kid was younger, it was very useful because at that age he was not capable of safely riding on my shoulders. They are great and highly useful. ---
**Author:** ![bartleby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bartleby/32/10491_2.png) [@bartleby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bartleby)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/53 "2012-09-06T21:21:32Z")
The last time I did this with my son was at a bookstore for a Thomas the Tankengine reading event. He was, I dunno, 6? He was damn heavy! however, we were running a little late, and the place was not all that wheelchair friendly. It was the only way he would have been able to see anything. good lord, i had some scary moments getting him up and down… ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/54 "2012-09-06T23:16:40Z")
I used a baby sling. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/55 "2012-09-06T23:50:02Z")
My mom used a baby leash on me and my sister. It worked and didn’t traumatize us unduly. I don’t remember riding any shoulders, but it looks like fun! ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/56 "2012-09-06T23:52:41Z")
I’ve carried my little one in a sling, a baby Bjorn, and car seat/stroller combo. With each, I’ve been advised of the smother risk, been chided that my girl is getting too much sun, and reminded to purchase a neck support for her. (She has one, chews it to the consistency of a kitchen sponge) I was chided in a fabric store full of women for nursing in public, so I bought organza with a loud print to camouflage us. Then I was chided for “suffocating her” when I nurse while concealing her and das boobies with a thin scarf. I’m not sure what motivates people to bark advice, but I don’t care to argue or puff up and argue when my girl is in my arms, so I say thank you and carry on. Life’s too short, Grude. Shrug it off. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/57 "2012-09-06T23:54:39Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > I know! It’s when the kid is riding on your shoulders but facing _backwards_ so your face is squashed into his stomach and you can’t see where you’re going! Yeah, that is dangerous. OMG! In that position a kid can work his way into your gut and then eat his way out. It’s a real downer for your stomach to explode over dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/58 "2012-09-06T23:55:55Z")
Can you get an invisible fence for kids? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/59 "2012-09-07T00:03:13Z")
**Grude** , I feel your pain. Many years ago, one of my female offspring was tired and we were shopping. I hoisted her up and carried her as she was accustomed upon my shoulders. Just mere minutes went by before I was accosted by an overbearing woman who insisted that I was endangering my beloved little one by carrying her in such a manner. Sometimes, sexism works the other way. Not often, but it does happen. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850/60 "2012-09-07T00:37:03Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Not yell, more like helpful comments delivered in a fake humor manner “oh you are brave letting him ride way up there” etc. And being honest its all older women making the comments. They’ve gone senile. I’ve got enough grey hairs myself to be able to say that men and women have been doing this forever. > [@grude](#): > > . . . I’m starting to think it is the single man with child thing, when my wife is with me comments are rare. OK, I can believe that. Maybe instead of senile, they’re mildly evil. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-punch-the-next-person-that-makes-a-comment-about-shoulder-riding-in-the-face/633850.md?page=4)