shoes

[deborahp]

We have just bought our 13 month old his first pair of "proper" shoes, but he hates them.  He can walk really well without them on or with the soft shoes he already has but when we put on the new shoes he sits down and screams blue murder!  Any suggestions to make this a bit easier for him and us?

[boobesque]

try bending them back and forward for a while to soften them up, also check the toe area, as sometimes they have uncomfortable seams, if the problem persists go back to the shop and ask them to ckeck the fit again.

I dont want to scare you, but if it continues maybe talk to your health visitor about it and get them to see what he is like with them on and check his feet over.

It may be the shock of proper shoes! kids are stubborn g*ts sometimes!

good luck

[jeanettelaur]

its a nightmare i am dreading! my 12 month old isnt walking yet but my mother suggested putting soft shoes on him to get him used to having something on his feet. so i bought some inexpensive ones whilst we were on holiday. it takes me nearly 20 mins to get them on his feet!

[kick3m0n]

I can only suggest making a big show of him being "like Mummy and Daddy" and let him see you putting your shoes on with great enthusiasm...maybe get Daddy to do the same.  Then he can be a "big boy" and get his own shoes on.   We use a similar tactic for things with our wee guy, and it worked a treat when he got his first "big boy haircut" last month, after watching Daddy get his done.   Other than that, maybe just leave the shoes off for a bit, then try again.  You'd only really need them if he's walking outside and at 13mnths old, he's not likely to be doing that too much yet I guess.  Maybe you could let him wear soft shoes outside when the weather is good/dry?  Good luck. xx

[jno]

you're sure they fit? I ask because I always hated shoes, till I was 10 or more, because they never seemed to fit me - always felt too tight. Well, I was right of course, they were too tight, and I have had a lifetime of bad feet ever since. So I've always taken the kid's side in any such debates.

But if you're sure they're not pinching or confining, then kick3m0n's psychological strategy sounds like a good one. See if you can put your shoes on before Mummy can put hers on...

[nfn]

HLL was a complete nightmare with his first proper shoes, i just persevered as I knew they were the right size. Walking on rigid soles takes a lot of practice for a little-un, a bit like learning to ride a bike

[deborahp]

Thanks for all your answers.  It seems his aunt has the magic touch!  Went to stay overnight there and when she put his shoes on no crying, in fact quite a lot of fun and laughing.  He was obviously trying it on with us.  Thanks again for your thoughts