Five Common Mistakes Parents Make when Buying their Kids’ Shoes – Learn How to Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now, and I have noticed how parents tend to make the same common mistakes over and over again when buying their kids’ shoes. Finding a pair of shoes that fit, are fashionable and helpful to the healthy development of your child’s feet is not an easy thing to do. I have helped a large number of children who were experiencing foot and leg pain find the correct types of shoes to significantly reduce, and in some cases fully eliminate the pain.
Is Your Child Experiencing Foot or Leg Pain?
Most of the children that were experiencing pain and discomfort were not wearing the correct shoe size or they were wearing shoes that didn’t provide any structure or support. Let me show you the five most common mistakes parents make when buying their kid’s shoes and how to overcome them.
1️⃣ Mistake #1: Assuming that your child’s foot size automatically translates into their actual shoe size.
We always need to adjust the final shoe size depending on how the shoes fit. For example, if your child measures a foot size 5 and the shoes fit “short”, then you will need to choose the shoe size 6 to allow enough growing room (a whole size longer instead of half a size longer). On the other hand, if the shoes fit “long” then you will need to pick the same shoe size instead of going a half a size longer (since the shoes already fit long).
I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
2️⃣ Mistake #2: Assuming That Shoes Are Only Available in Medium or Standard Widths
Most parents are not aware of the fact that certain children’s shoes are available in different widths, and they end up buying shoes that are too long to compensate for their children’s wide feet, or too small to compensate for their children’s narrow feet.
If your child has narrow feet, there are certain children’s shoes that fit narrower than others. Take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the best narrow shoes for kids.
When it comes to finding shoes for children with wide or extra wide feet, there are specific shoes that actually are available in wide (W) and extra wide widths (XW).
3️⃣ Mistake #3: Allowing Children to Wear Shoes without Socks
I have seen this numerous times, and I understand, that certain children can’t tolerate the way socks feel. However, keep in mind that socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
Socks are also important because they cushion your kids’ feet, preventing the feet from rubbing against the shoes. For example, when children don’t wear socks with their shoes they might get blisters on the back of their heels or the top of their toes. If you have a child who feels every bump and lump and can’t stand the way socks feel, you should strongly consider providing your child with a pair of seamless socks.
4️⃣ Mistake #4: Providing Children with Hand-Me-Down Shoes
There are several health concerns associated with providing children with second-hand shoes:
- The tread and the heel counter of the shoe might be worn down, which leads to less support and stability.
- Bacteria and fungus tend to thrive within the materials of older, worn shoes.
Please try to avoid providing your child with hand-me-down shoes. It’s always better to provide children with the most affordable new shoe rather than a used one. The only type of footwear I recommend parents hand down is rain boots or snow boots, as they tend to hold the shape better than any other type of footwear.
5️⃣ Mistake #5: Wearing Fashion Shoes Instead of Sneakers
Can children wear fashionable shoes instead of sneakers? I don’t recommend allowing your child to wear fashionable shoes for more than 4 or 5 hours a day. Most fashion shoes don’t provide the correct amount of support for your child to be able to walk and run around comfortably and safely.
If you decide to provide your child with a pair of fashionable shoes, I recommend that you have your child alternate them with everyday sneakers.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion
Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
According to a survey conducted in the US, 70 percent of kids wear ill-fitting shoes, and their parents do not even notice it. While larger shoes for children might mean saving a little extra money for parents, this could be very dangerous for kids. A little space between the toes and the shoes will give your child’s feet room for breath and wiggling, but too much space could cause them to trip and also create several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
