Once kids learn to walk, they’re going to need shoes. Your child is going to go through many pairs of shoes as their feet grow. Here are just a few of the different mistakes to avoid when buying shoes for your kids.
Not measuring kids’ feet
It’s worth getting into the habit of measuring your kids’ feet every time you plan on buying new shoes. Don’t assume that just because you measured them a month ago they are still the same size – a kid’s feet can grow a lot in a few weeks. For an accurate measurement, it’s worth getting their feet measured professionally in a shoe store. Most shoe stores will do this for free.
Making them wear shoes that are too big
While a kid can get away with wearing a shirt that’s too big, you shouldn’t expect them to wear shoes that are too big. If shoes are oversized, they can rub and cause bunions and blisters. They could also slip off easily and increase the risk of your child falling over. Overall, it’s not worth it.
Delaying buying new shoes once old shoes become too small
Expecting a kid to continue wearing shoes that are too small is also not a good idea. Shoes that are too small are likely to be uncomfortable and could cause foot issues like ingrown toenails or even foot deformities. If it’s getting hard to put shoes on or they’re complaining that shoes are too small, plan to buy a new pair as soon as possible.
Not getting your child’s input
Style matters. Buying shoes that your kid actually wants to wear will make them more excited about putting on their shoes, and they may even be tempted to look after them more. There are many kids shoes themed around TV shows or video games such as this Sonic trainer. You’ll also find shoes in various different colours or with various different animals on them. You can personalize any type of shoe with no tie shoelaces that come in a variety of colours kids love. By shopping with your kids, you can make sure that you buy a shoe that they like. This is particularly important with older kids.
Forgetting about uniform guidelines
When buying school shoes, there are likely to be uniform guidelines that you need to abide by. This could include buying shoes in a certain colour or style. Make sure that any shoes you buy fit the dress code so that they aren’t a wasted purchase. When in doubt, check with a teacher or staff member at the school first.
Giving kids heavily worn hand-me-down shoes
It’s generally not a good idea to give a child hand-me-down shoes that have been heavily worn by a sibling. Shoes take the shape of their wearer’s foot over time, and your little one may not necessarily have the same foot shape as their older brother or sister. Only give them hand-me-downs if they’re shoes that have been rarely worn or not worn at all. The same goes for buying used shoes – barely-used or never-used shoes are the safest option.
