Toddler Refuses To Wear Shoes

Don't over think this Naninka just the usual two year old wanting to be independent.
MrsEggy has the right idea.

My son, when a similar age, insisted on wearing wellies and underpants only. Just went with it, soon passed.

Give him a choice "shoes or wellies?" then he'll feel he's in charge!

He is 2! His first bit of taking back control??

Just a phase, be something else next year

As bibisarah says, it could be sensory. Not sure I can offer any words of advice as my daughter’s sensory issues started when she was older and able to tell us the problem.

Maybe try to get him to choose some trainers instead of shoes.There are so many out now with their favourite characters printed on them they may appeal to him. Good luck.

We used to spend all winter trying to get DS2 into long trousers and all summer into shorts. Some children don't like change.

I dont think he is being 'wilful'.

Naninka, I’m wondering if your grandson has some sensory related issue going on. It was my first thought when you explained about the new shoes Then when you mentioned the old shoes and his winter coat it made me suspect something sensory even more.

Could the new shoes perhaps be swapped for something resembling the old shoes in weight and texture/feel? And this winter could he perhaps given a different weight/texture of coat or perhaps even wear more layers rather than one coat?

There’s lots of info regarding sensory issues on line and a quick google may shed more light on It for you.

My dd gets obsessed with her pair of shoes, or pjs, etc, so I buy the same item in different sizes.

The four children I'm currently looking after, ages from 2 to 8 years, take their shoes off as soon as they arrive at my house (their choice) and spend all day in and out of the garden barefoot. My garden is paved and the house has laminate flooring.
I'm a firm believer in feet and toes having contact with the ground, room to flex their muscles and develop their balance. Today they've only put their shoes on when it was time to go home!

it's good to have toes covered/guarded, even with sandals, as they so easily get trodden on. that's why i say sturdy sandals.
i know whereof i speak...

They look lovely. Will send link to DiL. Thank you.

give them to a charity shop.
find some sturdy sandals, with more room for growth, let him choose the ones he likes., or at least feel that he has chosen them. and don't spend so much. many parents go to clarks for feet to be measured then find that there is nothing suitable in stock that day, then go down the road to shoezone, and get something reasonable for a few months' wear.

www.shoezone.com/Products/Red-Fish-Boys-Blue-Easy-Fasten-Sandal-29608

i'm thinking something like this maybe. but this one may be too big. good luck. never force a child to wear uncomfortable shoes, their feet and toes are so delicate, can easily get malformed, as i know with my bent toe.
who is more likely to know whether they shoes are comfortable or not, the person wearing them, or parents because they paid a lot, or shop because they measured him.

My son was horrified when he first put on shorts. He was about 18 months. Sat down, desperately tugging them down to cover his legs. Very modest child!

Maybe if his old shoes disappeared it might be a help?

Good luck!

So, just wilfulness?
Could be. He was a bit weird about wearing a coat in the winter.
He's had a new sister, arriving end of lockdown (3rd July) so maybe connection there?
Worth taking back to shop as 1st poster suggested too. Yes.

I think it’s the age. My GS is exactly the same age and has started selecting his own clothes, refusing point blank to wear some things. Currently he will not wear trousers or shorts.

My granddaughter is funny with her shoes but now she has shoes AND sandals she can have a choice, and loves it! On sunny days she has a choice “shoes or sandals” and on rainy ones “shoes or wellies”.

I’d probably take them back to the shop if lurched recently though - just to see if they really do fit...