Toddler Shoes
- You are not alone. A few years ago, I bought 7 pairs of shoes for my
oldest daughter, who was then three years old. After spending over $150
on her shoes, I decided to take another route -- to find a pair of shoes
that that fit properly and that were made to last. When I did, I
actually found that the shoes not only lasted longer for her, but they
often worked fine for hand-me-downs to her little sisters. In the long
run, buying better-fitting and better-made shoes has saved me a bundle.
After raising three daughters and having many shoe-buying experiences,
here are the keys I've found to successfully buying toddler shoes:
* Personally, I prefer to shop online. As a busy parent, this allows me
to shop whenever I want. Taking your kids to a shoe store is a little
like herding cats -- they get into things they shouldn't, and generally
end up completely off track. You can always pause the online shopping
experience and come back later if things get too crazy, and that's a
lovely perk.
Another reason online shopping works so well with toddlers is that young
children also are naturally shy around strangers. Getting their feet
measured by salespeople and making it through the sales process can be
very difficult. They are much more relaxed (and the measurements are
more accurate) when a caregiver does the measuring.
* For the shoes to fit, your child's foot must be measured. An online
retailer should offer you a sizing chart that you can print out and use
to make sure the shoes you order will fit.
If you go to the store and the salesperson pushes on the shoes to
determine where your child's toe is, this is not a good sign. Small
children often do not fully relax their toes while trying on shoes, so
this "poking" so commonly done by shoe salespeople is completely
worthless. Your child's toes are likely "curled" and the size won't be
correct. If the retailer doesn't offer a sizing chart to accurately
measure your child's feet, then the new shoes won't fit any better than
the old ones.
* Responsive customer service is also important. If buying shoes online,
you should be able to IM (instant message) a representative during the
order process if you have questions. You should also receive email
notification of order confirmation and shipping.
If buying shoes in a store, you should find a store with lots of
experience fitting children. Also look for a store with a wide selection
in toddler shoes -- so they won't be encouraging you to buy the size
they have in stock, rather than the size that correctly fits!
* A shoe that is well-made -- with quality stitching and fasteners that
are sturdy -- is worth it. Cheaply made shoes will fall apart or fall
off, making them less likely to be comfortable and safe for your little
one.
* Finally, try to find a shoe that your child likes but that isn't
associated with a fad. Trust me, one day your toddler will wake up and
refuse to wear anything associated with her favorite princess or his
favorite superhero, and the last thing you need is a daily struggle over
shoes. As your child learns independence, a pair of shoes that are
simple to put on is also a real bonus time-saver.
The key to buying toddler shoes is to find a well-made shoe that fits
correctly. By pairing up these two things, you'll find that your
toddlers shoes will last much longer, and you'll save money in the long
run!
Toddler Shoes
