Day 167: Tiny Shoes
A few years ago I went to a reflexologist. He worked on my feet and I asked him if it’s normal for my toes to be somewhat crooked. He said that it’s most likely because I didn’t have proper shoes growing up. He might be right. My parents didn’t have a lot of money when I was born. Good fortune didn’t come by until a bit before my brother was born.
This was when M was less than a year old.
So ever since then I told myself that I’m going to buy the best shoes for my kids. I don’t want them to have funny toes like me! I did my research and if you know me you know that I researched EVERYTHING that the WWW could give me. I ended up with Shooshoos, Robeez, and Preschoolians. Back then there was also Bobux but I never got to getting those. How about StrideRite? They didn’t have soft sole shoes back then and according to research these are best for babies learning how to walk. They’re suppose to be the next best thing from being barefeet.
Six plus years later I am still a shoe snob. For myself too. Although now I’ve leaned more towards more natural/organic/sustainable materials the kids are still getting the best that momma can afford. Since M graduated from Preschoolians she’s had some StrideRite, Ecco, Primigi, Keds, Converse, Nike, and now Clarks. We did once buy a Payless shoes but she said they hurt her feet. It was for a one time event anyways so it was ok. Goodwill got it soon after. Flip-flops has been her summer thing though since she was three and so far the Children’s Place or the Gap have done well in this department. I’ve looked at Hanna Andersson’s ones but I don’t think flip-flops affects the toes {::SMILE}.
Have I spent lots of the kids’ shoes? Maybe a tad bit but not much. I buy them on sale. If you go to Dillards they always have Ecco or Robeez on sale. I’d get whatever, even larger sizes, and M would wear them later. Shooshoos always had an end of season sale too and I’d get shoes for $8/pair. We did splurge on the Primigi boots. But it was Christmas and goodness, they are the cutest thing!! Every little girl always looks at M’s boot ha ha ha…
NOTE: Above Robeez was bought from a friend for $.25. See, nice things doesn’t have to be expensive!!