Help me stay upright on the ice

[Babieseverywhere]

Just that. I am really struggling on the morning school run with the iced pavements.

It takes me 10 minutes to walk my little girls to school in summer and today after 15 minutes, I had hobbled slowly maybe a fifth of the way there, lost both my grip soles (I have them, but they fell off my boots) :(

A passing mother took pity on me (bless that woman) and offered to take my kids the rest of the way.

But the weather is only going to get worse, help me with suggestions, ideas or products to keep me upright over winter.

I was practically in tears this morning, it is not good for my kids to see me struggle, as they then worry about me getting home again.

1. I have terrible balance generally, as I have problems with my ears since being a child. I fell down some stairs 6 months ago, stretched my leg tendons and weakened my ankles. Signed off from physio now but I don't want to be back on crutches again.

1. I always wear sturdy walking boots with big grippy soles.

3.I do use ice grips on my shoes, mine usually flip off my boots. I need to take off my boots to refit them. So spend more time carrying them, than wearing them.

1. In the past I had a car, so when I was unwell or the weather icey I would drive close to or into school carpark. This is no longer an option.

Get a medium OP, my size 7/8 shoes require a Large.

@Straycatstrut they do kids sizes here at least, right down to a euro 20.

Penguins have a leg on each corner and aren't top heavy. If you look where their legs are in relation to their shoulders then they are about the same distance apart

Their weeble shape also means they have a much lower centre of gravity

Loving the advice...maybe I need to indentify as a penguin ;)

New ice grips to be ordered this afternoon

If it's safe to do so, you might find it better to walk in the road. That's what I do in my area when it's snowed and it's compacted, the pavements become deathtraps but the roads have been gritted and have ice-free tyre tracks from the passing cars.

Will look at road and consider walking in it ! Though the kids WILLbe staying on the pavement.

Do you lean forward? It's a good way of keeping your balance. And remember what ski-instructors always say "bend ze knees". Worst thing you can do is stand straight up with a straight back as you're more likely to slip and fall backwards.

Came here to suggest socks over shoes! It really does work. I used to live in Scotland and my street could get incredibly icy. I used to use those invisible trainer socks which just sort of wrap them around the sole rather than having to cover the whole shoe and look slightly less silly. But not falling over is more important than not looking silly anyway!

I assumed ice skating and was going to suggest a penguin.

I live in a climate that is snowy and icy in the winter and have all the natural elegance of a penguin! I have issues with balance and mobility and tbh I don't find most walking boots up to the job of walking around in winter and have had to buy snow boots but that's because my balance is so poor and they do tend have a great inexpensive selection where I live. I also loved my Biggy last year and had the best experience if icy walking I've ever had with it! I'll be sad to give it up I found this article and the advice is good:

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/community/winter-wonders/how-to-walk-on-ice

Cos I've had a very busy day obviously i spent the last few hours watching penguins on YouTube and They Fall Over All The Time

If icy ,always were good thick gloves as if you do fall,and stick your hands out,you need to try and avoid wrist injuries/broken bones etc !! Same advice for those taking to ice rinks in the next week or so . Very easy to break a wrist bone.