21 month old DS terrified of shoes!!!

[Teatimecakes]

Started with wellies in the spring - screamed the house down even if wellies were near him. Now this has escalated to all shoes. Getting out of the door is a nightmare - getting shoes on is a utter mission. Major distraction (peppa pig) or favourite toys are needed to get started, I'm firm with him and insist that the shoes are going on. A major tantrum ensues every time - help!

Chocolate buttons as a reward for each shoe?

they forget about the buttons after a while, I find, when shoes become ordinary.

You're sure they fit well and all that?

TBH I'd just not put shoes on him for a good while.

See if you can find shoe shaped sweets and toys to try and help him get past his fear.

Yep - have been to clarkes several times to get checked and double checked in case of sudden growth. All fine there.
I'm hoping it's just a fad that will pass soon

Have you tried telling him he's not allowed shoes? It sounds to me like a genuine fear rather than a toddler power game though, TBH.

I would just leave without shoes for a while. Use a pram or sling and bare feet fine atm in summer on grass.

In a month of so try again. Try softer shoes like shoo shoos or slippers first and progress up.

Thanks for your replies - we've had a couple of days chilling at home, playing in the garden in bare feet. I was starting to think it had become a genuine fear too until a good friends of mine was over yesterday, I told her about the shoe issue so she tried to put his shoes on while I was in the kitchen - they went on with no fuss whatsoever!! And he even came running to find me saying "look mummy! Shoes!"
So maybe it's more of a 'drama for mummy issue'? Spoke to his nursery too and they've had no problems with shoes going on and off :(