16 month old HATES sandals

[kisaki333]

Please help, I don't understand why but she absolutely has a meltdown each time I try to put them on. We have 3 separate pairs , from different brands, two quite expensive.
The moment she sees them in my hand she starts crying.
It's roasting outside and the only thing she will accept are leather clarks full shoes which are spring, if not winter shoes. Also can't be worn without socks so it must be hellish with them on.

To note she's just started walking but I don't think it's anything to do with that. More like something to do with her toes. As she also has a mega meltdown everytime i try to trim her toenails (but not for fingernails...)

Anyone experience the same?

Cotton socks and leather shoes will still be breathable and cool if the rest of her clothes are appropriate for the weather . Sometimes it’s just Better to go with it as if she’s not upset she will also be less hot and sweaty !

Can't see the problem - let her wear shoes and socks - and stop buying her sandals!

As she is still little she might just feel steadier on her feet in full shoes. I'd just go with it.

Then don’t put sandals on them. Problem solved.

Would she wear Crocs or Croc style shoes?

A full shoe feeling but breathable.

What about the little canvas shoes with a T bar? Like this https://www.startriteshoes.com/products/treasure-navy-blue-t-bar-buckle-canvas-shoes

Have you tried the sandals with socks on? My DS also doesn't like his sandals so we've stopped bothering with them. He's 20 months and only been walking for a few weeks and also has joint hypermobilitiy so he's even less stable in them than usual. He also clearly dislikes having the skin of his feet touching unfamiliar surfaces such as the shoe itself, sand, grass and so on. My eldest was almost 2 before she did (due to time of birth and age she walked at etc) so we could explain a bit better to her by that age, she didn't like it without socks at first either but we were able to talk her round fairly quickly and she got used to them then without issue.

I would try with socks on first as they might be fine with it that way if you haven't already.

This feels like a non issue. if she hates sandals and is happy to wear proper shoes, let her wear those. Once she starts school she'll be wearing proper shoes no matter the weather and she'll soon let you know if she's not happy. Maybe she has sensitive toes and likes them fully encased and protected.

I can assure you that if she has any kind of sensory issues, there will be much bigger and more important things to fight about long term. Meanwhile, think of me - I took DS on an extended family holiday to Spain once during a heatwave... I have 500 pictures of him wearing full length trousers, trainers and a long sleeve t-shirt while playing on the beach next to his cousins wearing just swimming trunks and hats!

I would just put her in what she likes. No need to make her wear sandals.

Pick your battles. DS can’t stand sandals either and 3 summers in regularly wearing trainers has caused no issue. Lots of people don’t like the feel of them to be fair!

My 2 year old wears mostly crocs

She doesn't like sandals, op. Buy her regular shoes. It really isn't a big deal.

Thanks all! I did try with and without socks. Haven't tried crocs yet but might do.
I guess you are right, no point in forcing her. It's just that the very thought of having socks on in 30+ degree weather makes me sweat... I wanted to make her more comfortable. Silly me, right? 😁

If she has only just started walking does she even need shoes on? Into the buggy for long walks, then get her out for walks indoors or on grass/sand.

Another one with a DS who has always hated sandals/crocs/etc. he has a pair of soft canvas supermarket trainers for going in the sea 😁

Pick your battles. Thin socks and trainers are fine even in this weather - I don’t wear open-toed shoes at work and I’ve been fine for this whole heatwave in cotton socks and trainers or loafers.

I honestly wouldn't worry.

Neither of mine had sandals at that age - DC1 due to money (I could afford one decent quality pair of shoes, but not multiples for different weather etc) and DC2 because I was more obsessed by comfort by that point and she was in those woollen booties with leather soles (yes, in summer) which basically protected her feet but didn't add extra weight or clunkiness to her newish walking and running and climbing. I still think many sandals are quite impractical for walking, running and climbing, although DC2 did have a lovely pair of closed-toe Bobux sandals at about 3 so i do realise theyre not all impractical.

As PP says, schoolkids are expected to cope. I run so obvs wear trainers with socks in this weather and it doesnt bother me either. She can be barefoot in the buggy or sling too. 😊

In parenting terms this is really small fry in the 'pick your battles' department.

Just let her wear what she wants. My two sons never wore sandals, always just trainers and socks or crocs. My daughter doesn't wear sandals either, she likes crocs but had wellies on last week because that's all she would wear, it was boiling but it's not really worth arguing with her about (she's three and VERY sure of what she wants in the way only three year olds can be!).

As an aside our nursery wouldn't allow children in sandals for safety reasons, they have to have closed toe shoes. So something to bear in mind.

Crocs are your friend, they are the perfect shoe for kids really - waterproof, comfortable, can wear with or without socks, fun colours etc etc etc and easy for them to put on themselves. Get a pair and see what she thinks.

Meh, I'm wearing socks and black leather shoes today. It's fine. If she doesn't like the sandals, put her in the shoes she llikes.if she's only just started walking, she doesn't need to wear them very often. Barefoot is best if you have a suitable space.

Why the hell buy a toddler three pairs of sandals?? Just put her in her Clark's shoes with socks.

For the love of God, not crocs for such a young child.

eBay or return the sandals.