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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask the shoe fitter to measure ds's feet while he's asleep??

24 replies

gingertoo · 05/03/2009 13:46

DS3 (19 months)hates having his feet measured so I thought I'd be very clever and get them measured while he was asleep in his buggy. I then planned to return to the shop later when he was awake to have some shoes fitted (he doesn't seem to mind that bit!) as I understand that he needs to stnd / walk in them to ensure a good fit. The shop assistant told me she couldn't measure them while he was asleep. I asked why this was and she said that they were not allowed and they were also not allowed to measure while they are in the buggy!? So no new shoes for DS today. Will wait til weekend when DH can help me grapple with him while they measure .

Am I being a bit unreasonable?? Is there a good reason why she couldn't measure sleepy feet??!!

OP posts:
funnypeculiar · 05/03/2009 13:47

does seem a bit odd, given that the measuring bit is always done seated anyway (it's the checking of the fitting where they need them to stand up)

YANBU

nancy75 · 05/03/2009 13:47

to get the right width you need to be putting your weight on the foot, as you tread down your feet spred out

Divineintervention · 05/03/2009 13:50

It's about the angle when they measure....it has to be back straight and knee bent 90ish degrees.

PuppyMonkey · 05/03/2009 13:52

Don't you have to stand on that little machine thing to get the measurement? Don't suppose he could do that sleeping! I could though.

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 13:54

oh dear - I didn't realise there was so much to it - thought they just put the foot in, slid the thingy, bingo!

Any tips for making it a less traumatic experience.......

OP posts:
edam · 05/03/2009 13:54

YABU. Nice idea, but impossible.

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 13:56

puppy monkey - they've always used one of the hand-held sitting-down sort of measures with DS so far - lol thinking about me trying to prop up sleepy DS on stand-up machine

OP posts:
igivein · 05/03/2009 14:06

My DS had his feet measured whilst in the buggy, they just moved his leg into the position they needed it.

Divineintervention · 05/03/2009 14:07

Go when it's quiet, remember your child will not be the wrst they've ever seen and a nice packet of chocolate buttons.

NewTeacher · 05/03/2009 14:10

Thats a bit odd! When measuring little uns feet you usually use a hand held measure so the child would be sat on your lap!

So I dont see why they couldnt have measured your childs foot!

Having said that the measurement is just a guide and you need to try shoes on to ensure a good fit so maybe thats why she didnt bother.

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 14:15

Choc buttons is good idea Suppose he needs to get used to it......

OP posts:
messymissy · 05/03/2009 14:24

was this clarks by any chance? my dd was awake and in the buggy, they still would not measure her, she was sitting happily and patiently and it would have been oh so easy, but no, she must be out they said, so get her out and lo and behold, one wriggly toddler wont sit still as having tasted freedom wants to run around, so end result, could not get accurate measurement. Gave up!!!

januarysnowdrop · 05/03/2009 14:34

Huge waves of sympathy - my dd1 (20 months) absolutely loathes having her feet measured too and screams blue murder. Last time was slightly better than in the past, as I spent ages explaining to her what we were going to go and do, and although she still screamed when she saw the measuring thing (you'd think it was some sort of medieval torture implement, the way she reacts), she calmed down when I suggested that we measure her teddy bear's feet first. So we did that (with a very nice sales assistant) and then we did her's, and the, would you believe it, her feet hadn't changed size so we needn't have bothered with the whole expedition in the first place! We went when it opened on a Sunday so it was very nice and quiet - I think that's a good tip. And I might try the chocolate buttons myself next time....

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 14:38

Yes it was Clarks - wonder if they have some sort of 'no pushchair policy' - lol.
It was very busy. Perhaps it was a quick way of getting through the queue.......

OP posts:
LuLuBai · 05/03/2009 14:40

I had to take DD shopping 3 times recently as she kept falling asleep before I could get her to a shoe shop. Tried Clarks, Russell & Bromley and another one I can't remember the name of. None of them measure the foot of a sleeping child in a stroller.

I find if you go on a weekday morning (if that is possible for you) the shops are pretty empty.

When I eventually managed to get DD to a shop awake I had three assistants checking her feet for me.

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 14:44

hmm maybe my idea of going on Sat with DH is not such good one - will be really busy. Might be better going on Mon am straight after the school run.....

OP posts:
LuLuBai · 05/03/2009 14:46

Good luck gingertoo

SlightlyMadScotland · 05/03/2009 14:47

They are not allowed to measure whilst in teh buggy. Health and Saefty I suspect.

thisisyesterday · 05/03/2009 14:56

divine intervention is right.
foot has to be flat on the guage, and the knee bent at 90 degrees to give the most accurate reading. hence it's easier to get foot in the correct postition with a baby sat on a lap, or edge of a chair, rather than far back in a pushchair seat.

plus, it's not particularly nice for you, the assistant, and mostly your child if they wake up and find some stranger messing with their feet.

if they're already scared that's not gonan help lol

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 15:04

didn't think of him waking up would have been quite terrifying wouldn't it? will just have to stick with it - keep trying (it's horrible though, isn't it when you have to take them to do something that you know is going to make them upset )

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 05/03/2009 15:10

i know. tbh, if he doesn't mind having them actually fitted, you could ask them not to measure him.
i know that prob sounds crazy, but the measuring is only a guide, as shoes come up differently and you'll find that you may have to change sizes etc depending on style anyway.

so, any shoe-fitter worth their salt ought to be able to fit him without measuring.
get them to feel his current shoes and make sure they actually need replacing, if they do then they'll be able to bring out something in the next size up and see how that feels.
the fitting of the shoes is really done on how each individual pair feels on the child's feet... so measuring not an absolute must

LuLuBai · 05/03/2009 15:31

That's a point thisisyhesterday. They were able to poke and prod my DDs feet sufficiently while she slept to work out that her shoes were too small and that she would need new ones. So surely it can't be that tricky for them to just get a few out the next size up and let your boy try them on.

SlightlyMadScotland · 05/03/2009 16:31

That is a very valid point actually thisisyesterday.

The measurement is only a guide measurement.

If they ae properly qualifies they should be able to do it without the measurments,

Original poster
gingertoo · 05/03/2009 16:33

That's a brilliant idea, thisisyesterday, didn't think of that! You're right - they know what size he was last time he was measured so they can try from there without getting the dreaded measure out (I know why he hates it btw, the first person who measured his feet in Clarks when he was little was a HUGE BO-smelling man who had a booming voice and was quite heavy-handed!! He frightened me )

Thanks for your replies everyone - another little parenting trauma (hopefully) solved

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