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Original poster

Wearing wellies all summer ... any health risk? How to fix?

44 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 07:38

DS2 seems to only want to wear wellies. Twice now, I have bought him sandals, and he refuses to wear them (he will wear them in the shop), on the grounds that they hurt.

(First pair were nike, second were clarks.)

Sometimes he wears socks, sometimes not. His feet are always wet and horrific-smelling as a result.

He is two, and I'd rather not have a fight about this. Is he damaging his feet doing this? The skin isn't damaged (yet).

I think I will try to get him some crocs, as they are ventilated and a similar shape to wellies, so maybe will be acceptable?

OP posts:
ChipButty · 09/06/2007 07:45

My DD (2.4) also has a welly obsession! When it's really too hot, I am insistent she wears shoes/sandals and, although she's upset at first, she has to get on with it. There's no harm in it most of the time though, I don't think.

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 07:47

You know, I think they like them because they are EASY to put on. Perhaps the sandals did hurt? Is a reasonable case to make.

If you're worried about it, but I can't see it doing any long term harm, go out and find something with him that's just as easy for him to put on. Can't think what that might be? Prob crocs, yes.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 07:48

I don't think being insistent works with DS2. He says the sandals hurt, and I can't bring myself to argue with him, even when his feet are wet inside the boots.

I've realised I can buy crocs rip offs around the corner, hopefully (lots and lots of cheap shoe stores), so will get him some there today, and see if he likes them.

OP posts:
Furball · 09/06/2007 07:53

you could call them summer wellies which he might like the idea of

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 07:55

I'm hearing ds2. I think the sandals hurt, ditch em. Go for the summer wellie option, is inspired.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 07:56

Oh god, the wellies all have Bob on them, which might be part of the appeal.

I do suspect, though, that the wet etc has made his feet very tender, so straps from sandals etc are uncomfortable? I find sandals uncomfortable, too, so I do sympathise, but horrible wet smelly feet on a two year old are a dreadful thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 07:57

Oh, 100x, missed you there. Hmmm, could be ease of putting on, but he generally likes help putting them on, anyway, if I'm around. I think it's the loose fit. He happily wears any wellies he finds, as long as they're not too small.

Right, I will brave the local market for fake crocs today, or order real ones online if I don't find any there. (I saw fakes at Adams or one of those the other week, but they were too big ...)

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 07:58

okay, let's get Bob stickers to put on the summer wellies. Also maybe he's used to the wellies and a change of shoe can feel weird. I think a good dose of ds2 outside in the sun with NO shoes on will address the feet kept in the dark and damp for so long!

Don't make him wear hurting sandals. I'm with him, side by side here!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 08:00

I encourage him to be barefoot at home etc, and he's often barefoot at the co-op I think.

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 08:02

Good. I'm liking your ds2, he has healthy attitude towards shoes I think. Crocs are the way forward, and Bob stickers too I suspect.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 08:03

Yup, I will try stickers. When we're home this summer, I could get him some of those naff broaches, even.

Oh, I do hope they have some on our rubbish market, it's all shoes, but often mostly pointless ones like high heels for small girls .

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 14:02

No crocs or faux-crocs (crocalikes?) in his size locally. We ended up with some faux-birkies, that seem pretty good, and DS2 was willing to wear them home. Thinner softer straps than his other sandals, so we can hope.

He did try on some 10/11 (real) crocs, so now I know he needs 8/9.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 09/06/2007 14:04

Doodles are really comfy IMO (canvas shoes with a velcro strap)

not that I have managed to squeeze into a pair lately

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 14:05

They certainly look comfy. I will try those next, I guess. But I think I will try real crocs ordered online if he doesn't get on with the faux birkenstocks.

OP posts:
lucymc · 09/06/2007 14:30

My DS is a wellies boy, he's turned his nose up at many a canvas summer shoe, but loves his crocs, I think Furball's right they must have a similar feel to wellies.

bran · 09/06/2007 14:33

In the meantime could you put an odour-eater type insole into the wellies, and perhaps punch a few air holes along the side?

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 14:48

And/or put the bob stickers on the faux birkenstocks. Bet if he wears them with socks for a week or so, if he will, then they won't hurt thereafter.

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 14:48

And/or put the bob stickers on the faux birkenstocks. Bet if he wears them with socks for a week or so, if he will, then they won't hurt thereafter.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 16:13

He's back in the wellies.

I will try birkies with socks. I don't think I can face odour eaters in wellies, won't they just get wet and grow mould? Oh, the whole thing is gross.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 16:17

I will try decorating birkies.

I am wavering between 'get him in the birkies all the time while they're new' and 'let him adjust to them slowly, so he doesn't blister and go off them'.

I should probabl just cope with him wearing the boots, but it is all so gross. Even DS1 doesn't really smell yet, how am I meant to cope with DS2 being stinky?

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 09/06/2007 16:22

You can get Bob the Builder sandals, admitedly they are rather nasty and I doubt you would want to encourage him to have them in any other circumstances but, if needs must....

I think I've seen them in Woolies

Yes, here you go

BettySpaghetti · 09/06/2007 16:23

and Bob jellies -you're spoilt for choice

I know they're not nice but at least his feet won't stink as much

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 09/06/2007 16:24

Ok, I can look at those next time we're there. Worth a try. I don't think it's the bob-ness of the boots that he loves, I think it's the discomfort of the sandals that he hates.

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 09/06/2007 16:28

You could try furballs tip about the "summer wellies" for the jellies, or "these are the wellies Bob wears in the summer" (presume your DS isn't too hot on Health and Safety on the building site)

Good luck though -2 yr olds can be stubborn little things can't they?

PotatoOfDoom · 09/06/2007 16:35

I don't know if it would work but could you convince a local builder to "give" him the crocs if you walk past, with the builder saying to DS2 something along the lines of "wow I like your Wellies. Want to know what builders wear in the summer? These [shows crocs] but you can only have them if you're a builder like bob. Do you think you could wear these?" and then maybe a second trip past the builder the next day or so to confirm he's wearing them and to get the builder's approval so to speak?

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