Bernard O'Shea: I walked barefoot on gravel and noticed my posture improve instantly

My 3-year-old will never get shinsplints the way he paddles about on the gravel

Bernard believes the things that join our legs to the earth are there for a reason

Picture the scene. A six-year-old shouts at me, "Dad, where are my shoes and socks?" I take a deep breath and reply, "I told you. If you take off your shoes and socks and throw them away, I'm not responsible for them." "But I want to go outside." I take another breath. "I told you to stop taking your shoes and socks off when you come into the house. 

For some reason, my kids automatically take off their shoes and socks and go barefoot the second they enter our house or anyone else's abode. It's gone to the stage where they now mimic me when before I warn them, "I'm Daddy. Don't take off your shoes and socks. I'm Daddy."