What is wrong with Converse shoes in the fall?

[Fairy]

So, today I go to pick up DS from pre-k, and I love his teachers. There is one that, again, I do love, but every now and then she'll give me unsolicited "advice." She is a wonderful person, don't get me wrong, and she's been DS's teacher full or part time in his room three of his four years at this school. Like, he maybe needs a new pair of pants (really, his pants are too short? Cuz I didn't notice that he was growing faster than I coudl keep him in pants), or she thinks DS needs a haircut (I happen to like it longer). Things like that. And then there's today.

She said DS's shoes were maybe not right for the weather. I wondered if I missed a rainfall or something. I was literally clueless what she meant. The other teacher said, she means that they're canvas, and while he looks stylin' (of course he does, he's my child), do I really want to dress him in canvas shoes? I said, oh. Well, uh ... I ... uh ... I think his shoes are ok, I mean, it was 50 degrees today. Yeah, they said, but maybe leather gym shoes are better? I said, well, he does have a pair of leather shoes (very cool Nikes on sale for $24 bucks!), and it's not like I'd expect him to wear his Converse shoes in the snow -- but what's wrong with wearing them to school when in the very cold snow days they're going to go out in boots?! They just looked at me very awkwardly. Veeeery awkwardly.

Guys, can I get a sanity check, here? It wasn't 10 below or 7 degrees or 22. It was between 39 - 50 degrees today. He had socks on. He did not complain, this was a pro-active comment to me by the teachers. I saw nothing wrong with the shoes.

Thoughts?

[crl]

As long as it is above freezing, I wear sandals. And as long as there isn't actually snow/slush on the ground, I wear shoes without socks. So I might not be the best person to ask, but I don't see anything wrong with the canvas shoes in the weather you describe.

Catherine

[MontrealMum]

DS wore kelly green Converse sneakers today. Like the Doctor His teacher likes them because she likes bright colors. It was 10c here today. I don't see a problem with it - certainly not where you are, w/ your present weather. I will say, I do send wellies as well since it's also raining here a lot, but they're for the playground, not indoors.

[AshleyAnn]

If its dry that day I think canvas is fine. He has on socks. I'd be peeved with the unsolicited advice. I have my in laws for that thanks.

[vludmilla]

Um, you're being very generous about this. I think they are flat-out wrong. And a little too pushy.

[g-mama]

I don't get it at all. My 8yo ds wears Converse every day. He has brownish slip-ons and black lace-ups. It would never occur to me that they were not for cold weather. Like you said, if it were snowing, he'd be wearing boots. Is there an unspoken rule that you and I do not know about that says leather shoes for cold weather??

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ummm...my ds2 is going to be wearing Converse tomorrow and I think it's supposed to be low 50's/ high 40's. I have no concerns. Of course, today he wore no shoes (in the stroller the whole time) and I got so many comments. He had socks on but he kept taking off his shoes! Rather than risk losing one while walking around the city I opted to take them off and put them in my purse. I hardly think the poor thing was being parented badly or freezing!

IMO, his shoes were totally fine.

Beth

[TwinFoxes]

Originally Posted by vludmilla

Um, you're being very generous about this. I think they are flat-out wrong. And a little too pushy.

You should quote the pp, and tell the teacher you have your in-laws for unsolicited advice!

[caleymama]

Originally Posted by vludmilla

Um, you're being very generous about this. I think they are flat-out wrong. And a little too pushy.

*I* wear my low-top Converse year round, and last year DD1 did too. Sure, if I stop to think about it maybe a leather shoe would be warmer, but I think Converse are warm enough. Like others said, if it's sloppy out or super cold (and I plan to be out for an extended time) we'd wear boots or some other more appropriate footwear. For general outdoor play in clear weather the Converse are fine.

[ellies mom]

I sent my daughter to school today in Converse. Not only that, I sent her to school in capri leggings. She picked out the outfit and I OKed it. The way I see it is that we wait for the bus, maybe 5 minutes. Recess is something like 15 minutes (and they are running around) and then there is the 3 minute walk home after she gets off the bus. Not a lot of time to get frostbitten in well above freezing weather.