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Fashion versus Sense
Curious how many parents go through this as their kids get older.
Of my two girls, neither are super choosy about clothes, mostly because I don't cater to it. But the ongoing battle in my house is over shoes.
Specifically, sandals. Those little flip-flop thong things that are cheap crap, and if you're already prone to tripping, stubbing your toe etc. mean your foot will constantly be scabbed up and/or bleeding. I prefer sandals that have a strap on the back, and ideally have a closed toe. Because I hate mangled feet. I don't love crocs, but they meet the requirements listed so the girls each have a pair.
They haven't learned from the natural consequence of owning the cheap crappy flip-flops (someone bought a pair for each of them), but it drives me insane. And now, my oldest is begging for CLOGS. Yes, they make these in tiny girl sizes, with 2" thick soles. No traction, no flexibility, etc. etc.
WTF is with that? How can anyone walk in those? How can you play in those? How can you wear those and not fall down every flight of steps you encounter?
Needless to say, I am not on the verge of approving her request for pretty pink clogs.
Am I terribly cruel? Am I irrational and senseless in my vendetta against pretty footwear?
Of my two girls, neither are super choosy about clothes, mostly because I don't cater to it. But the ongoing battle in my house is over shoes.
Specifically, sandals. Those little flip-flop thong things that are cheap crap, and if you're already prone to tripping, stubbing your toe etc. mean your foot will constantly be scabbed up and/or bleeding. I prefer sandals that have a strap on the back, and ideally have a closed toe. Because I hate mangled feet. I don't love crocs, but they meet the requirements listed so the girls each have a pair.
They haven't learned from the natural consequence of owning the cheap crappy flip-flops (someone bought a pair for each of them), but it drives me insane. And now, my oldest is begging for CLOGS. Yes, they make these in tiny girl sizes, with 2" thick soles. No traction, no flexibility, etc. etc.
WTF is with that? How can anyone walk in those? How can you play in those? How can you wear those and not fall down every flight of steps you encounter?
Needless to say, I am not on the verge of approving her request for pretty pink clogs.
Am I terribly cruel? Am I irrational and senseless in my vendetta against pretty footwear?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Herasmus B. Dragon on
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Nope, you're a good practical mommy. Do you have any special occassions that such shoes can be approved for, and ONLY those occassions? Big O's got a pair of dress shoes with a 1 1/2" wedge heel that she can only wear to church and special dinners. It makes her happy. What's funny is that she's been asking for Crocs for years and I've been refusing because those are the type of shoe that would not stay on her feet and she'd fall. But now that I'm wearing a pair (for the post-surgery foot) and I see how comfortable and sturdy they are with the heel strap, I'm considering bending he rules this summer.
Would you accept a set of clogs that don't have high soles? Or is that specifically the reason she wants them? What about Birkenstock clogs, or something similarly styled and cheaper? http://www.birkenstockusa.com/products/kids/clogs/rosemead/purple-r...
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Permalink Reply by mightyninjamom on -
No. You are practical and smart. But a little prettiness allowed every once in a while can go a long way. Hanna Andersson makes lower heeled clogs with a back strap that are really pretty, and look like you could actually play in them without falling and breaking your neck...but they are like $55. But maybe you can find a cheaper alternative, if she likes the way those look?
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Permalink Reply by LeastLikely2Breed on -
Maybe offer more options that are appropriate yet fit your practical and their aesthetic concerns? Distract her from THOSE particular shoes. Make it a challenge say -- here is your budget -- now go research shoes.
Here is a Zappos search: Kids sandals - pink - over 450 options to choose:
http://www.zappos.com/search/shoes/filter/productTypeFacet/%22Shoes...
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Permalink Reply by Mamawho on
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GirlWho wears an extra- narrow. There are 2 or 3 casual styles in narrow available on Zappos. So she wears lots of Converse laced up really tight. They're still way too wide and she has calluses on the bottom of her feet from the friction. I have the same feet, so I know I'm in for years of tears because the shoes she likes will not stay on her feet. Hell, I've been known to cry about it as an adult.
Clogs are cute, but not very practical. If they're inexpensive, they might be fun as an occasional shoe. I've made GW carry a bag with an extra pair of practical shoes if she insisted on wearing others for a day out. Then I don't say a word when she stops to change shoes once she starts to get blisters. A battle over shoes is not the hill I want to die on.
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Permalink Reply by MamatothaMax on -
With my boys it's a battle over wellies. They love their rain boots and Max wears his everyday. If I don't catch him and demand it he wont wear socks, yuck. Mo wants to wear his to school everyday but we've compromised and he'll wear them on days he doesn't have PE.
This summer I'm going to get them each a pair of Tom's Shoes cause I'm a bit obsessed with them. They can run those into the ground and then get school shoes when the time comes.
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Permalink Reply by mcglory13 on -
As somebody who has a closet of crazy high heeled shoes, I have to say I wouldn't care too much about this particular thing, I think. But then, I have a boy. So who knows.
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Permalink Reply by DLBK on -
I understand this isn't going to help you, but here it goes: you have no idea what I'd give to have a daughter some day so I could argue about tiny pink shoes with her (among other things) :-)
This being said, while I love shoes myself, I think kids should wear shoes that are practical and allow them to play without getting injured. I like the idea of getting some pretty but impractical shoes and making them the special occasion or dress-up shoes, so that your daughter won't be deprived of anything ;-) Just joking, of course!
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Permalink Reply by ks on -
I'm not the person to ask about this--I love shoes and very few of mine are practical at all (I just spent a load of money yesterday on ridiculously cute cowboy boots that, quite frankly, aren't all that comfortable either, although my sister assures me that once they're broken in they will be--my excuse is that my other boots died a few weeks ago and I needed a new pair). I used to have a pair of blue clogs in college, too, and I loved them. Wore those suckers everywhere and they weren't too impractical and they mostly stayed on my feet.
But, she's a kid and will be playing and running around, so shoes that actually stay on the feet and don't pinch are probably best. I do like the idea of letting her have a pair of "special occasion shoes" or sometimes shoes that are worn for specific occasions and activities, though.
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Permalink Reply by Boring User Name on -
Sandals ands clogs are the only comfortable shoes I own. And the sandals have to be open toed to let my fat toes breathe.
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