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The great shoe debate
Ana Isabel is two and half and hates shoes.
It doesn't help that my wife, who is nine months pregnant, often has swollen ankles and feet at this point. So she often ends up either barefoot or putting on sandals.
I'm the one always insisting that Ana put on her slippers or shoes. And it's not just about dirty feet either.
The other day Ana was walking with a noticeable limp. She favored her right leg.
Of course, I feared the worst. I worry that her bare feet hitting the cold, hard tiles in the house could have a detrimental effect on their development. I know that when I walk barefoot for too long, it hurts my feet.
We later realized that when Ana slipped trying to climb onto our bed in the morning she banged her ankle against the bed frame. It swelled for two days, but it's better now.
Still, it seems to me that Ana sometimes has a misstep in her walk.
Am I crazy or is it only natural for a toddler to reject the restrictions of footwear? Should papa stop being a fuddy duddy and just let Ana run wild bare foot?
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Comments
Both of my kids hated shoes when they were little. We only made them wear shoes when absolutely necessary. To this day, my son, who is 8 now, takes his shoes off the minute he comes home, and will even take them off in the car between destinations.
Posted by: Jeff | April 9, 2008 10:09 AM
Most of the info that I've read on the subject says that kids learn to walk better when barefoot. I think that's more when they're around 1 and learning to walk. However, if we were me, I'd probably not stress about it and bring it up at my next doctor visit.
Posted by: amy | April 9, 2008 10:53 AM
Most of the info that I've read on the subject says that kids learn to walk better when barefoot. I think that's more when they're around 1 and learning to walk. However, if we were me, I'd probably not stress about it and bring it up at my next doctor visit.
Posted by: amy | April 9, 2008 10:54 AM
Hey, we are born without shoes. I don't like shoes to this day. I am 45. When I get home, off they come. And if the weather's warm, I too will take them off in the car. So don't fret about it unless your child starts stepping on broken glass or something.
Posted by: Mitch | April 10, 2008 9:47 AM
Defiantly these shoes are the best gift for a baby from his parents.
Posted by: Justin Cole | April 22, 2008 2:57 AM
Small children are better off barefoot as much as possible.
http://skimbaco.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-you-should-know-about-childrens_28.html
http://www.epodiatry.com/children-footwear.htm (see bottom)
And I'd guess the reason your feet hurt when going barefoot is because barefooting requires using muscles that you're not accustomed to using. I have a whole lot of information about this if you're interested. Email me at kiwithegeek@gmail.com
Posted by: Kiwi the Geek | April 30, 2008 12:45 AM