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Original poster

Please teach your kids to tie their laces!

27 replies

starlover · 02/10/2005 21:04

just following on from the other laces thread!

I work in clarks, as some of you may know, and I am so tired of people having a go at me because their kids can't tie laces up but there are no velcro shoes in bigger sizes.

So, my advice is to teach them as soon as possible!

Once you get to about a size 2.5 there will be NO MORE VELCRO! don't leave it til you get to that size and then have a hell of a time trying to teach them before they go back to school...

Please.... for me? puuhhhhhllllleeeeeeeeeeeease?

OP posts:
creepycat · 02/10/2005 21:05

Still in a size 12 thankfully but ok...I will, strangely dd 4 can do it but dd 7 cant...dunno what thats all about!

misdee · 02/10/2005 21:07

psssst starlover do u get a discount?

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:07

i can't remember how old i was when i learned to tie mine. i remember my dad trying to teach me and me not understanding it though!

OP posts:
Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:07

yeah 30%

OP posts:
gigglinggoblin · 02/10/2005 21:07

ds couldnt fit in school pumps so i bought him some fabric shoes and laced them with thin elastic (he can tie them now, this was for pe in reception)

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:11

that's a good idea gigglinggoblin!

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wheresmyfroggy · 02/10/2005 21:13

Can ds do his yet starlover

misdee · 02/10/2005 21:14

was about to ask that too wmf.

wheresmyfroggy · 02/10/2005 21:15

Great minds

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:15

he will be taught as soon as he has a pair of shoes!

or else i will be in clarks when he is 12 yelling at the assistant because my precious child can't possibly be expected to tie his own laces!!!

OP posts:
spidermama · 02/10/2005 21:16

I've tried and tried and tried. My kids find it really hard.

At what age do kids learn to tie their own laces in your experience starlover?

mugface · 02/10/2005 21:17

i have tried to teach ds who is 6 but he was so frustrated when he couldn't get the hang of it that i have given up for now.
so, velcro it is for the time being.

mumeeee · 02/10/2005 21:18

It is easier said then done to do this what about parents with children with disabilities whose children just cant do laces. Any way I disagree with you about the sizes of shoes with velcro.I bought a pair of clarkes girls shoes with velcro fastenings size 5,5 for my 13 year old DD.
She can tie laces but as she is dyspraxic it takes her a while to do them so she is better with velcro shoes. As I said on the other thread it is quite common for children not to be able to tie laces untill at least 8 years old

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:18

well a lot of them never seem to!

actually, it really does vary... we get 5 yr olds in who can, and 10 year olds who can't!

as long as they can do it by the time they are in a size 2.5 shoe i don't care! lol

OP posts:
hunkerpumpkin · 02/10/2005 21:19

I remember learning...you make one loop (the tree), then the rabbit (the other lace) runs round the tree and pops down its hole on the other side.

Then you pull the laces up and you have bunny ears!

Better than the "two loops tied together" method which just falls apart unless you do it in a double knot.

And WMF, are you going to be wheresmytoad this month?

Jimjams · 02/10/2005 21:19

what about those squiggly laces you don't have to tie?

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:19

yes uit isn't so bad with girls... but try getting a boys shoe above a 2.5 that doesn't have laces!

this was actually a vaguely jokey/half serious thread btw, and i am not suggesting that peiople who have children with disabilities should be able to make them tie their own laces

OP posts:
Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:20

i just get tired of it though, you know?

it seems like a lot of people who come in just can't be bothered to even try and teach them how to tie laces, and it's us who get it in the neck when they're too big for velcro shoes!

OP posts:
wheresmyfroggy · 02/10/2005 21:25

Hunker-I thought of wheresmypumpkin or hideouslyscarilyfrighteninglyfroggy

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:25

ok my top lace-tying-tip for the day is:

when you start the knot, wind the lace around twice before pulling it tight. that way it will stay there while you do the bow and you don't get loose laces!

OP posts:
roisin · 02/10/2005 21:32

Sounds to me like Clarkes are missing a trick and should make velcro shoes in bigger sizes

netter · 02/10/2005 21:34

I just bought a pair of shoes for myself (girls size 4 that are velcro fastening. The only problem is the velcro snags my tights.

I hate velcro on little childrens shoes though. Buckles are much nicer.

hunkerpumpkin · 02/10/2005 21:35

Oh, yes, be a pumpkin person - I like pumpkins

Original poster
starlover · 02/10/2005 21:35

well yeah! but until that happens......

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hallowcarla · 02/10/2005 21:41

Buckles? FGS, starlover, tell me they do those in bigger sizes!!