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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have still not put my DS in shoes?

160 replies

luckiestgirlintheworld · 29/07/2015 21:20

DS is almost 18 months and has never worn a pair of shoes. He's been walking since about his first birthday.
When in the park or garden he either goes barefoot if it's wet out, or sometimes he wears just socks.

When I spoke to the guy in the shoe shop he said it's really important to spend the extra money and buy properly fitting and properly made shoes, or the next best thing is no shoes at all. So I just decided not to bother.

I get a lot of odd looks from other mums and wondered if I'm being disapproved of. Do you think I'm BU?

OP posts:
SilverBirchWithout · 29/07/2015 23:04

Surely shoes offer protection when playing outside. Stubbed toes, stones being dropped, scraps from tripping over. I get the desire to go barefooted, but surely there is potential for serious damage.?

usualsuspect333 · 29/07/2015 23:04

The OP didn't say anything about cafes

PiperChapstick · 29/07/2015 23:09

Erm YABU - do his feet not get cold and dirty? Time to buy his first shoes I think. And FWIW properly fitted shoes are worth the money, yes they're expensive but as my mum said "buy them the cheapest crappiest clothes going but never skimp on their shoes"

Original poster
luckiestgirlintheworld · 29/07/2015 23:09

MissJo- if you're going to be so sharp sounding, do read the thread first.
I haven't once said that wearing shoes is damaging.
I haven't said that he runs about in cafes/restaurants.
And I have been very clear that the reason he still stays in his buggy in town has nothing to do with shoes, and everything to do with the fact that I genuinely had no idea that they walked around in town before about 2 years old.

OP posts:
Lurkedforever1 · 29/07/2015 23:10

Yabvvu. At that age they should only be wearing properly fitted shoes outside in public. But an able bodied child shouldn't be only out of a pram outside in a playground at that age. No wonder we are a nation of lazy porkers if that's considered normal.

usualsuspect333 · 29/07/2015 23:12

Oh give over. Plenty of parents use a buggy to take their kids to the park etc .

usualsuspect333 · 29/07/2015 23:14

I rarely see babies of 18 months walking around town,OP.

So ignore the comments about that.

CamelHump · 29/07/2015 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/07/2015 23:18

er cos you don't know it's not clean until your child's foot is bleeding or covered in dog poo.

Lurkedforever1 · 29/07/2015 23:19

They don't walk through parks to playgrounds? Or hold your hand going into shops etc? Or get out of a trolley in the supermarket? Or walk down the road ever? Or walk from car to house? Or ask to get out of the pushchair to walk on pavements? Etc etc

BeaufortBelle · 29/07/2015 23:19

It's summer. There have been one or two wet days. I don't think it's a problem fir the lad to go barefoot. I'd get him some soft first shoes soon though so he gets used to them gradually before the winter sets in.

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/07/2015 23:19

Anyone ever trodden bare foot on a slug????

MissJoMarch · 29/07/2015 23:20

Then what is your reason for not giving your child shoes?

I read all 4 pages but just got the impression that you were yet another of those mums who revels in 'being different', marking yourself and your child out for special attention seeking on some crusade that's really quite puzzling.

FWIW both my kids walked around town by 18 months & so did plenty of my friends and families children.

Just buy the kid some shoes

magicpuppy · 29/07/2015 23:32

What did he wear on his feet to play outside in Feb or March? Surely it was too cold for bare toes then?

PurpleSwirl · 29/07/2015 23:32

the reason he still stays in his buggy in town has nothing to do with shoes, and everything to do with the fact that I genuinely had no idea that they walked around in town before about 2 years old

Before the age of two they really don't do a lot of walking about in town, regardless of what is said on here. In other words, they don't have a big walk around town and ditch the buggy altogether. That's not the norm.
At 18 months though they might have the odd toddle around holding hands (but I'd have ALWAYS taken the buggy as they got tired of walking easily at that age!)
So some kind of shoes would be a good idea (the soft first ones you can get to protect their feet.)
That way they can toddle about in safety. Smile

Lurkedforever1 · 29/07/2015 23:40

Nobody mentioned ditching the buggy altogether by 2 in town purple. Its handy for the shopping obviously. My child did lots of walking by 2, you don't speak for us all. Explains why by reception most can't walk even a mile though.

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/07/2015 23:42

Before the age of two they really don't do a lot of walking about in town, regardless of what is said on here. In other words, they don't have a big walk around town and ditch the buggy altogether. That's not the norm

says who?

I see everything from teeny just walking kids having a toddle about the shops to, toddlers walking to parks and back to kids in uniform sat in buggies.

Once they get to the walking stage it really is only a.matter of time til they decide they want out. even if it's just to go look at a teddy in a shop window, or throw a coin in the fountain or sit on mummies lap on the bus/train.

so for that reason alone shoes are worth it because you never know when you might bump into a friend and want to go fir a coffee (and no shoes in a cafe is a bad idea as has been pointed out), or you fancy going somewhere a bit different were the grass hasn't been pre vetted.

It's just a bit unnecessarily restrictive on a kid who is probably capable of getting out and running around fir a few mins but can't join in with play mates due to no footwear.

PurpleSwirl · 30/07/2015 00:05

gileswithachainsaw I'm WITH you on this one. When they get to walking age, they want to be able to choose whether to have a toddle about or not, so some soft shoes are preferable.
At 18 months they want to play in the park.
THIS though by 18 months mine were walking a mile into town and round the shops.
With no buggy whatsoever? A buggy would surely be common sense as back up unless you want to be carrying them halfway round as they're tired and don't want to anymore.

taxi4ballet · 30/07/2015 00:11

Get some shoes - and some reins! They need to learn how to walk nicely beside you. If you wait until he's two and he turns out to be a runner, you will be storing up no end of trouble for yourself - and have the devil's own job catching him. Let him learn to toddle along happily beside you, it's much easier in the long run, and he will sleep better.

Anyone ever trodden barefoot on a slug? Yes, ugh! I also trod on a broken bottle when I was little, it bled for ages and I still have a numb spot and a horseshoe-shaped scar on the sole of my foot.

The5DayChicken · 30/07/2015 00:18

I've lived in various parts of the NW and get out a fair bit. It's fairly rare that I see an 18ish month old child walking around OP, so I'm going to guess that the number of children that age out walking any significant distance isn't as high as many on this thread would have you believe.

PiperChapstick · 30/07/2015 00:27

Before the age of two they really don't do a lot of walking about in town, regardless of what is said on here. In other words, they don't have a big walk around town and ditch the buggy altogether. That's not the norm

No but they get out of their pram now and again surely? Or is that just my own fidget bum of a child?

Gileswithachainsaw · 30/07/2015 00:36

I took it if we walked but they didnt go in it. If I got bus I left buggy at home as it's far less hassle. I really don't think it's that unusual to have toddlers walk surely?

I find it very strange that an 18m or even 2yo out of a buggy is a stranger site to people than a 4 year old in a buggy.

If your only doing a short walk to a local shop surely there's no need for a buggy? I think. It's possible to be realistic to what your own children can manage and give them The chance to get out and run about or learn to walk.on reins/holding hands etc without having a buggy permanently with you.

they won't gain.the stamina or stability if they are sat in the buggy all the time when it's not even necessary.

If you look on say a primary education thread you will see people saying that a mile and a half is not too far for a 4 year old reception child to walk.

yet on here 18m olds don't even get out the buggy?

PiperChapstick · 30/07/2015 00:47

DD has just turned 2 and the only reason I've taken a buggy into town for last few months is for storing my shopping. I'm buggered if she actually wants to get in it

horsewalksintoabar · 30/07/2015 00:55

My 14 month old doesn't wear shoes. He wears moccis when we're out though. I am worried about glass, etc. I think shoes are sensible at 18 months. There are lovely shoes with soft flexi soles. My son's feet are so incredibly wide and short...short, fat plates, bless him. I had him fitted for shoes but I find most soles too chunky and not flexible enough. Trying to find a decent shoe is not easy.Try moccis. They're lovely.

NobodyLivesHere · 30/07/2015 01:56

worra are you insinuating I dont have beautiful baby soft feet??? How very dare you Grin

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