Toddler Refuses To Wear Shoes

My GS aged 5 has had a love-hate relationship with various pairs of shoes. His current preferences are his wellies (which he used to hate) and his flip flops, the trainers he used to love are now completely wrong. He has never been very fond of his school shoes and wore them reluctantly. Maybe buy some cheap canvas shoes and try those. There are quite a few threads on mums net about this problem so he isn't the only one.

I have a love/hate relationship with shoes as well, but I have very difficult feet. Just contemplating whether or not to send yet another pair back. I am forever looking for comfort.

Naninka, I wouldn't call it wilfulness, just a natural stage in his developing independence.

Perhaps he just doesn't like the look or feel of the shoes at the moment. Do allow him a choice.

I cut out the toes of my little son's shoes so he could use them a little longer (well, it was the summer holidays)!

Spot on Gagajo.

Update: my DiL found the same shoes in a larger size (new on eBay). She hid the old ones and out his new ones in the exact spot ready for morning. He put them on without issue and hasn't noticed they are new shoes. He's now been happily wearing them for weeks!!

put*

Brilliant result! nice to think of him charging around without a care about his shoes!!

At that age, he will probably simply love a pair of bright red or blue gum-boots!

Definitely take them back if they were shop fitted. Sometimes it is difficult to see the part that is hurting. DGS2 same age and has been in canvas shoes or wellies all lockdown but will need proper shoes soon as weather gets autumnal. We have had to take shoes back to Clarks and the assistants checked and replaced them. DGD is 3 and takes both shoes and socks off as soon as she is inside and also in the garden.

Walking around barefoot is very good for their feet, apparently.

Naninka
A boy who knows what he likes ??
He will probably grow up to be decisive.

Oopsminty- your 'modest' son
I bet that's worn off by now!

My 3 GC in Oz rarely wore shoes as babies/toddlers except for going into town then it was sandals all round. The sharp prickly bits on their lawn never bothered them ( bindi's ) but I found them horrendous with my " pampered " feet. I'd have been cut to shreds.

My SiL is South African. They weren't allowed to wear shoes for games. He still prefers to be barefoot in the house or just flip flops outside. It's pretty chilly here too.

Naninka, I know your problem is sorted for now but there is unlikely to be a third pair available in a few months.

I think you should be proactive in introducing a second pair or you will soon be back to square one.
Good luck!

I wonder if he just doesn’t like Them. Did he have a say in choosing them?

Maybe soft canvas shoes may be much lighter and more comfortable for him, and even better if they have a design of his favourite cartoon or TV character on them.
Some children find the weight of sturdy Leather Type shoes Makes their ankles ache, and are happier in a less bulky design.
Our little Grandaughter, flatly refused to wear ‘proper shoes’ as a toddler, and would only wear socks and tights in cold weather. As soon as she started Nursery aged 2, she loved what some of the other children were wearing, sparkly bright coloured LeilyKelly shoes, firstly in strong canvas, and later more like proper shoes with the same embellishment types.
They were not a cheap alternative, and in some cases more expensive than the leading brands of Clark’s or StartRite, unless we were lucky enough to find a pair to fit out of the shop sales offers.
You may find that once he starts going to a regular playgroup or nursery, he will want to start and copy his piers, and have the same as them, a trend that often carries through the entire school days, just as it has done with our Grandaughter, who’s now a fully fledged teenager and follower of fashion at aged 14!
She still plays copycat with her clothes and possessions with whatever her friends happen to be wearing at the time, or they play a game of ‘Swops‘ with each other when going out somewhere in an evening!

I love these replies! Thank you. They've made me smile. xx