What is more important to children's foot health ...?

Buying children properly-fitting shoes that give their feet protection from the elements and support or buying them fancy-looking trainers with flashing lights and so on because they %26quot;want%26quot; (not *need*)them and so storing up problems for them in the future?


I had to scrimp and save to clothe my four boys (admittedly with help from my Mother and Father which I gratefully accepted) but one thing they always had were properly-fitting shoes whenever they needed a new pair and they were the one item of clothing not passed down from the older to the younger ones or shared between them.


These days of course some children hardly walk anywhere but I take my grandsons walking shopping and to the park and wish that they be properly shod - their feet will have to last them for a lifetime as all of ours will and need care especially while growing - I only hope that today%26#039;s parents take that on board.


Best wishes,


Joan.

What is more important to children%26#039;s foot health ...?
proper fitting shoes.


i always buy my daughters shoes in clarks and get her feet properly measured each time.


i know its expensive but what price can you put on your childs feet (and health in general)?
Reply:Children should have good shoes, certainly. That is not to say that the fancy looking trainers with flashing lights are bad. They could be in far worse, and frequently are!


Most kids trainers will have a certain amount of arch support built in, unlike some of the cheap dress shoes on offer. It%26#039;s the plimsoll and thin soled shoes (which can be very expensive) that I have the problem with... not to mention those tiny stiletto heels for kids... not only gross, but asking for foot problems later!


Like most everything else, trainers are fine in moderation, and are good for running and jumping etc, as long as they%26#039;re not worn ALL the time!
Reply:I believe they have certain standards they use for all children%26#039;s shoes these days. So any shoes bought should be alright. The only exceptions, really, are certain sports, where you need specially designed shoes.
Reply:It is quite possible, these days, to get shoes that are both well fitting and supportive as well as stylish. I don%26#039;t think there necessarily must be a compromise when seeking both.
Reply:The proper fitting shoes, of course. I didn%26#039;t have much money either, so my son understood at an early age that all those frills cost money, and to learn what%26#039;s really important. He was just as happy with those ten dollar sneakers. (And some of them look pretty sharp, too.)
Reply:Of course, we have to look after the whole of bodies, but I was always brought up with properly fitted shoes, and even now both my boys are in their teens, they still have their feet measured and shoes fitted! I had feet that turned inwards as a I walked and my mother religiously sent me for physiotherapy as a child which corrected my problem. I do agree we have to look after feet - and also our teeth!





Sometimes you have to pay a little extra but you can get properly fitted jazzy and trendy trainers!
Reply:you can have both the flashy shoes just are appealing to kids and parents but they are well made. At least most brands are. We buy Stride Rite and other well made shoes but we buy things that we think are cute. Also there are very very very few plain shoes nowadays especially for little girls. They all have lights and sparkles etc. Fancy shoes like that are not like shoes for us they do offer good support for their feet.
Reply:Shoes are different now to how they were way back in your day. You do not have to spend a fortune to get a good shoe. Often the cheaper ones can be a good fit.


Mine have orthotics so Yes I take very good care of my childrens feet but I find to get shoes that fit the orthotics I often have to go for a cheaper shoe
Reply:What%26#039;s wrong with trainers with flashing lights? Oh, sorry I forgot, Joan doesn%26#039;t approve of it. Must be wrong then.
Reply:How do you know the trainers with the flashing lights don%26#039;t fit? Just because they%26#039;re not orthopedics doesn%26#039;t mean they%26#039;re damaging to a child%26#039;s feet. And children should be able to have fun with their clothing. Those shoes aren%26#039;t hurting your grandkids one little bit.





I hope your DIL has a yahoo account, and sues you one day over the way you portray her.
Reply:i had the same concern as my eldest was born with twisted feet on asking the specialist what was best he suggested trainers it does not matter weather they have flashing lights or not they are better for growing feet as they Lowe them to st reach and give a lot more than shoes so both of my boys wear trainers except for school when they we are good shoes also trainers are cheaper than shoes and as children shoes are almost as expensive as adults and as they grow out of them very fast it make economical sense
Reply:I have always bought %26quot;proper%26quot; shoes for my children for school because they are wearing them for like 6 hours a day and need the support to their feet. However, I compromise and get them trainers for the weekend. If you can get them from a discount sports shop you can get leather trainers for £10 to £15.
Reply:Its nice to have shoes you enjoy although their main function is protection for their feet they should also thave good innersoles....if you go to the right stores... you can get light up shoes or other %26quot;fancy%26quot; shoes for cheaper than other shoes
Reply:more of a statement then a question so my statement (more so then an answer) back is you raised 4 boys(upstanding citizens i%26#039;m sure) and get to be g-ma now (i read your other ?s) so let your DIL raise her kids jus cause her way is diff. doesn%26#039;t mean wrong or right jus different you%26#039;re putting your son and more importantly your grandsons in the middle of 2 ladies they love as much as ya%26#039;ll love them good luck to you



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