Preschoolers and Slippers

Let him go barefooted. When I was a little girl, my dad would go out (we lived near Cleveland, so we had snow all winter) onto the patio, barefooted, to get wood to put in the fireplace. My mom would get so upset and tell him he was going to catch his death of a cold. He always told her that germs make you sick, not cold feet. You know, I don't remember him ever staying home from work, sick. When you think about it... he's right. Germs cause illness... not cold feet. My kids are all grown, but they always ran around barefooted in the winter too. So, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I think if he gets cold, he'll complain. Most 3 year olds don't mind complaining when they need something... occasionally.. loudly. :o)

Perhaps let him wear feety pajamas while at home. Or, you could sew socks onto the ends of sweatpants, or use snaps. Good luck!
J.

I agree with most that I would try not to fight him on it, but...Wal-Mart has light up Christmas socks right now for about $3. They're cute and my son loves his. Do the dogs or cats have socks? We had a cat with white feet and could have used the "See? Boots is wearing his socks" logic. :) Just as a side, my grandmother used to walk around the yard barefoot in the first snow-fall every winter and swore that was why she never got sick.

Well what no one else has mentioned is if his feet are cold there are those cool crocks with the fur!!! For some reason kids LOVE them. They can be his "special indoor shoes" Since he keeps his tennis shoes on for a while, these might work. Otherwise give him warning each day/evening, let him know mommy will check his feet and if they are cold he HAS to wear his socks. Good Luck to you and Happy Holidays! ~H.

Good luck, my three year old wont wear them either. When she gets new ones she thinks they are cute and wears them for a little bit, but she says they make her feet sweaty! Whatever I guess her cold feet dont bother her too much! I second the footy Jammies, my daughter thinks they are hilarious and cant get enough of them, but I hate her running around in Jammies all day!

Slippers at this age are a waste of money they won't use them they are hard to stay on their tiny feet and ackward for them to walk in.Keep socks on him and he'll be fine

I don't have a solution to your problem, but if you find a workable answer, PLEASE let me know. I'm in the same boat. I have two girls (2 and 3) and they would rather run around with bare feet! They even take them off in the car. They will leave socks or slippers on for about ten minutes, max.
Good luck!
D.

I have to agree with the others. It's not a battle worth fighting, there are alot more important ones. He will not get sick from not wearing slippers or socks, ask your ped. My youngest daughter is 10 and she has hot, sweaty feet like her father. She hates wearing socks and slippers never stay on long. She always has wet feet when she wears socks with shoes, especially in the summer. She had to put on a pair of socks today for school because they are required for gym. She put on a pair of the little short ones that don't even show above her shoes. She has hot feet and they are rarely cold, when they are, she will put something on. I figure the cold floors probably feel good to her and she is a very heathly child. He will be fine bare footed. Merry Christmas

Your big boy just turned 3, so he's seeing your attempt for him to wear slippers as your idea...that's why he won't keep them on. It's all a game to him, and he's having fun playing with you, lol. My boy just turned 4 in Oct. He has only been wearing slippers for about 4 months now. Like yours, he wouldn't keep them on, and I tried character ones, just like you. He would never wear socks either, and still doesn't. Now he is old enough to know that when his feet are cold he can put on his slippers to keep them warm. Sounds like you might just have to wait until your big boy is ready to do it himself. Good luck!

If he is a preschooler then he is old enough to know if he is cold. I know as moms we want to protect them but they are little people and have the ability to decide some things. Cold feet never made anyone sick(trust me, my feet are always cold). If he gets cold enough, he will put something on. Right now, it has become a control struggle between the two of you and he wants to win.

Good luck,
D.

Good Morning A., We have a one yr old grandson who will not keep on shoes or socks. AND it is cold out side. I would find myslef putting them back on all the time to turn around and have them off again.

I found Tights at Wal-mart and he can't get those off. I found black and brown cotton tights. Not the little thin ones little girls wear.

He brother is 3 1/2 and he will wear his shoes and socks until he gets to Nana's house. Then they come off. We have carpeting on most of the floors.

You may just have to tell your little man HE has to wear at least his socks in the house. No And's, If's, or But's. He has too. When he takes them off have him put them back on. No matter how much he fusses or get's upset. Make him put them back on. Now with it getting so cold and we have 2-4 in' of Snow today the socks will stay on until nap time.

God Bless A., Keep forcing the issue.
*Laughing* Son & Daughter in law have Ceramic tiles in laundry, entery, bathroom and kitchen. Gen tells Corbin he has to keep his socks on Cause Momma is Cold. It works!!Well most of the time anyway. He will tell her Well put your shoes on Mom, Im not cold.. LOL

My daughter just now started wearing her slippers, she is almost 3 and even know its hit and miss. I wouldn't fit him over it, its just not worth it. I'd just leave the slippers where he can see them and lead by example. If his feet are cold he'll put them on. Don't get into a power struggle with him, who has time for that! Choose your battles.

Have you felt his feet to see if they're cold? My daughter (now 9) has always preferred to go barefoot. It used to worry me until I realized that her little feet were always very warm. So then it only became an issue if my grandma was around. It upset her to no end to see a barefoot kid in the winter, lol.
So, if I were you I just wouldn't worry about it, unless of course his feet are little ice cubes.

My son is almost 2 and I fight with him daily about this. Well, sort of. LOL! I've given up on fighting with him about it. I figure if his feet are cold he will keep his socks on. Yes he should wear them in the house when it is cold, but it's one of those pick your battles things. I'd rather argue with him about keeping his diaper on then his socks. Good luck!

What about buying him something new, but letting him pick out which color, theme, etc. that he likes and making a game out of wearing them. Say if he wears what he has picked out for an hour he gets something; like: extra time where you sit and play with him, an extra storey at bed time, a special juice with dinner.

Good luck....

They make gripper socks that he could wear; really though, if he doesn't want to wear them, don't worry. I have four sons and one son hates to wear socks, long sleeve shirts, and coats. He seems to rarely get cold! He is my healthiest child! No need to worry; all kids are different and he will put them on if he indeed gets really cold! Have a great day!

my kids did that and i finally gave up. when they say their feet are cold then i tell them to put on slippers or socks. i found out that my kids love the soft fuzzy socks that you can buy. you also could try putting lotion on their feet and telling them they have to wear the socks so it doesn't come off

Hi A.,

We have half hardwood and half carpet in our home. My youngest son is the same way. As soon as we walk through the front door, the shoes and socks are off. I don't worry about it. I figure he is old enough to know when he is cold and when he is not. If his toes get cold, he puts on socks or cuddles in a blanket.

I guess with the battles of raising kids, this is not one I would choose. If he wants bare feet, them let him. If he gets cold, them he needs to put his socks on.

Best Wishes,

J. H.

I live in an old house with hardwood floors, too. And neither of my children would wear slippers - they were barefoot all the time, too. At 13 and 9, they still do it. I've found that they just aren't as cold as I am and it hasn't affected them illness-wise. Both are extremely healthy kids. So, I would do as someone else suggested, feel his feet and if they aren't cold, let it go.

I agree with the others, that mostly it is not a big deal, but I know many of us are keeping our houses colder this winter and my kids tend to get whiney instead of putting on slippers or socks (it's like they're uncomfortable, but don't know why). I make mine wear slippers or socks in the basement (which is always colder) or if it is very cold. I bought them these slippers in our old house (which was all wood floors) http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryD... and they're the only ones I can get them to wear, I think because they're comfy and don't come off easily. Maybe that will help?

K.

If you are really worried about it, you might want to try tights -- he won't be able to just take them off. I know you have a boy, but at age 3 he will not know the difference -- you can call them leg warmers.

I have a two year old and I found slippers with fire engines that light up when he walks. He calls rhem his flashy feet and sometimes won't take them off.

I really don't have any advice for you (I'm sorry), but I just want to let you know that I sympathize with you.
While I never had that problem with my children, my mother had it with one of her 7 children ...... ME ! LOL ! I HATED shoes, socks, slippers, ANYTHING that went on the feet. I still do. I hate the feel of having my feet restricted, or overly warm. I just love the feeling of "free feet and toes". We lived in northern Iowa, and I would even run outside barefoot in the dead of winter to retrieve the newspaper, mail, etc. I drove my poor mother nuts. LOL.
Now, at 51 years old, I will wear socks on my cold hardwood floors at home, but only because the cold makes my feet hurt (poor circulation). As soon as we have a warm day, off they go !
Foot protection is important for children for a number of reasons, but some of them (us) are just going to fight it no matter what you do. Some things just defy reason.

Maybe you could try investing in some area rugs and throw rugs for the winter months ? That might be your best and only solution. Either that, or put your child in footed sleeper jammies during the day as he plays at home.

Sorry ! Wish I had a better idea for you !

Try the zip up sleepers with the feet attached; they are so luvable in those and warm and cuddly Too!!!!!!!!!

On this I'd have to go with the Love and Logic method - he needs to learn by experiencing the consequences. If he doesn't wear slippers, he has cold feet. If he doesn't want cold feet, he'll put on his slippers. I wouldn't even mention his to him, I'd just put on my slippers and say, "Boy, I sure am glad I have my slippers on. My feet are nice and warm!" He may want to be just like you and put them on, too. Good luck!

I have the same problem but my kids don't want to wear the slippers b/c they are too slick (most won't grip) and the ones that do almost literally stick to the floor. I did get my daughter(4) a pair of fuzzy crocs that look like ballet shoes and so far those are working out pretty well this year...but nothing for son who regularly sticks his 2 cakes of ice on me...ugh! I'm still working on the whole love and logic thing with him...but logic on a 5 yr old is challenging.

Have you asked him WHY he takes them off? And if he thinks his feet are cold? He does have thoughts on this issue...maybe you just need to approach it from his point of view instead of your own.