Talk to Clarks about getting your DC's first school shoes and other milestones in their lives - you could win school shoes for your DCs for a year! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

We've been asked by Clarks to find out about what Mumsnetters remember about getting their DCs first pair of school shoes.

Here's what Clarks say,

"From tearful to triumphant, there are many words that parents use to capture the excitement and emotion they feel about their child starting school for the very first time. Clarks understand how important the First Day of School is for both parents and children, and how sentimental parents feel about sending their child off into the big wide world.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Clarks have partnered with Ladybird to create a bespoke memory book, free with your child’s first pair of Clarks School Shoes. The memory book lets children and parents complete and capture all their first moments from their first year at school, from favourite lessons to favourite friends, and of course a space for a photo of your child in their perfectly crease free uniform and shiny shoes on their first day at school.

To complete your First Clarks School Shoes experience, you can also book a fitting appointment at a time to suit you. The occasion is made all the more exciting by being measured on a new Clarks iPad Foot Gauge! Book online at //www.clarks.co.uk/storeappointments, phone 0844 248 8408, or in store. Clarks also have over 7,000 trained fitters in stores over the back to school season and Clarks stores open for longer for the summer holidays to make sure your shopping experience is completely hassle free"

So, what do you remember about getting your DCs first school shoes? Maybe it's having their feet measured? Or perhaps it's the number of shoes they tried on before finding the right pair? Was this a big milestone in their lives? What other milestones are important to you?

If your DCs aren't old enough for school just yet, is getting their first pair of school shoes a milestone that you're looking forward to? Was being fitted for their first pair of shoes a milestone? Are there any other milestones which you think are important? If so, what are they?

Everyone who comments on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will receive school shoes for their DCs (worth up to £150) for a year.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[MisForMumNotMaid]

I was opening up what I thought was part of my sons education, health and care plan only to find £160 of Clarks vouchers inside. Far more fun than heavy paperwork.

Its like Christmas come early. The only question is can I resist temptation and wait for the sales to make them stretch further?

[AngelieMumsnet]

Thanks for all your comments! MisForMumNotMaid is the winner of the prize draw :) I'll PM you shortly for your details.

[ChaffinchOfMegalolz]

hi MN/Clarks - when is this being drawn? lots of v v pretty boots on clarks's website ... for dd obvs

[Doodledot]

I needed a new pair of shoes for my DD and looked on line - I need some for Monday so looked at what they had. I was very disappointed that all the size 8 girls were open topped flimsy things. My DD would destroy them within a week. She dies not like flowers either. Sadly I am off elsewhere now.

[sharond101]

DS is only 2 so no school shoes yet but we have had so many problems getting shoes as he has a really high instep. Clarks having the different widths have been the best option for us and gave me confidence that he would not be uncomfortable. It didn't help though that two different branches sized him differently. I also find the choice for boys is really poor. They all are dark and look like trainers. There is a Clarks outlet about 10 miles from me which does a huge discount on older styles and often has a better selection.

I remember being at school and getting Clarks shoes with a magic key, how simple life was back then!

[thewomaninwhite]

School shoes were not a real milestone for us (just purchased!). DD's first shoes at 2 1/2 f were though. She was tiny as still catching up from being born very premature.

[WitchOfEndor]

I bought DS first school shoes fron Clarkes mainly becuse he has hobbit feet and they are the only shop to reliably have shoes that will fit. He has been wearing the Stomp ones with dinosaurs on the sole for ages so I was very happy to see black school shoes with a similar sole, it took the angst out of getting new shoes (for DS at least) . It was a strangely emotional experience (just for me, DS remained unmoved !) I'm sure the staff are used to dealing with slightly damp eyes mums by now!

[UriGeller]

I Will be buying dd her winter shoes from the "other" boys side where they are sturdy and weatherproof.

[babsmam]

I remember it being hard with my first as she has wide feet and a high instep. My second was better but he seems to wear a pair of shoes out in a week. Both not got shoes until they were established walkers though I much prefer no shoes for feet. (Not in a hippy was although that s fine too just in a foot health way) ..
It was a lovely time for both and the shop staff in the independant shopmmade such a nice fuss of it they were lovely

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

I love Clarks shoes - they are a little pricey but they do last longer than some other makes I've tried.
Clarks was the obvious choice for my DS's first pair of shoes and I remember going to buy them well!
DS was loving just being able to run around the shop and pick up shoes from the displays (luckily we went at a quiet time and weren't disrupting anyone else!).
I remember he picked up a lovely pink pair which I said he could have if he really wanted them but he switched to some blue ones at the last minute!
Trying to get his feet measured was fun - they had music playing in the shop so he just wanted to dance! The sales assistant actually said it was the first time he'd seen a 1 year old break dancing in the shop!
We got a photo souvenier and DS was very proud of his new purchase - showing every passeger on the bus on the way home!

[ChasedByBees]

Rednellie, we found somewhere that stocks Lurchi:

www.lurchi.de/kollektion/herbst-winter-kollektion-2013-2014.html

It appears the rest of Europe is where you can enclosed shoes for toddlers. I don't know what it is with UK retailers. When we went to Stockholm, it was noticeable that every child in the playground had sensible shoes which had ankle supports - very enclosed.

[ChasedByBees]

And yes to needing closed girls shoes! We've actually had to go to independent shoe shops and pay bloody fortune of £50 for a two year olds shoes to get some enclosed shoe with ankle support. Why why why don't you have anything like that Clarks?!

Must leave thread before I end up on too much of a roll.

[ChasedByBees]

I got my DD's first shoes from Clarks. She cried all the way through her fitting until I told her that shoes meant she could walk outside. She virtually ran out if the shop in delight. I had to pay fast!

I have been to lots of Clarks - the staff in the Newbury branch were particularly helpful last time we went. I just can't get past your sexist signage though (see pic). It really really irritates me. So much, that my DH and I photographed it and looked it up online as we were going to complain and we found there was already a huge campaign about it. You had promised to remove the signage in stores, but it was still up in the Clarks shops I go to.

My DD is not some pretty delicate princess. She needs hard wearing shoes so she can run, climb and explore.

[ladybirdandsnails]

Hahaha took me a while to find it - chat is great but threads disappear at speed too !!!

[ladybirdandsnails]

Hahaha took me a while to find it - chat is great but threads disappear at speed too !!!

[ladybirdandsnails]

Hahaha took me a while to find it - chat is great but threads disappear at speed too !!!

[ladybirdandsnails]

Hahaha took me a while to find it - chat is great but threads disappear at speed too !!!

[rednellie]

Thanks lady. It's almost as if you know I've been lost in chat for the last two hours...

[jimmijam]

First shoes. Wow . How exciting! Our babies were growing up. Walking . Outside !!

Other milestones- first word , sentence , conversation. Learning to swim, crawl , walk. Certificates at school. Riding a bike. Toileting. Dressing ...

[ladybirdandsnails]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a2174517-AIBU-to-think-that-girls-school-shoes-should-be-enclosed

[ladybirdandsnails]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2178031-I-need-indestructible-girls-school-shoes-steel-toe-cap-for-scuffing

[rednellie]

Ooooh...heading over to chat to have a look.

[maami]

My nearly 4 year old is due another trip to clarks anytime soon as he is growing out of his present ones pretty fast!

[WaxyDaisy]

Ricosta, geoxx and doc martens are all options.

[ladybirdandsnails]

Rednellie kickers hush puppies toughies etc there is a thread on this over on chat