Which of these sandals would you choose for...

[Marriedladytara]

my 15.5 month old non-walker. He pulls himself up on the furniture, but barely cruises. He's clearly going to be a LATE walker.

I want summer sandals for him. Daycare wants him in hard soled shoes - they don't like Robeez. He DOESN'T walk!!! They insist that kids in hard soled shoes learn to walk in a matter of weeks.

Anyway...these are my options...Let me know if you can think of any other options...

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/24643618/c/90480.html
- but I don't know if the soles are too hard for him - they are on the master list of "soft soled shoes," but they do have a flexible rubber sole

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/19740467/c/9.html
- I LOVE Pedipeds...and these are soooo cute!

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/25829863/c/9.html
- I would love to get these, but do you get them for a non-walker?

Thanks so much!!!

[brittone2]

I would tell my daycare that my pediatrician disagrees. Seriously. Can you get a note from your doc? There is no reason he needs firm soled shoes to walk, and in fact, if anything that may slow his ability to learn to walk (I worked as a pediatric physical therapist in early intervention before becoming a SAHM).

If he's already on the later side of things, I would NOT let them dictate this policy to me, since their reasoning is just plain wrong.

Hard soles block sensory input to the foot, so they can't feel the floor as well. They can't spread out and dig in with their toes to help balance themselves.

Can you call your doc office and let them know what is going on and ask if the doc can write a note for daycare?

If you had to, you could go with a soft rubber sole, but I'd still be quite annoyed by daycare using the reason that kids in hard soles walk sooner. Simply not true (as you seem to realize :) )

[DebbieJ]

At that age, DS was in Preschoolians and Pedoodles and no one batted an eye.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[Melanie]

Well, first of all ITA with a PP that you should find a way to get them off your back. They work for you. It's great that they have suggestions, but they should be suggestions. I can't imagine thinking your son would start to walk if his feet were more encumbered!

And if you have to go with any of the above I'd do pedipeds b/c they are the softest. And if you don't, check out buskins. They have a cute fisherman style that my walking 1 1/2 year old wore just fine.

Good Luck!

[shburks]

Tara,

My ds was a very late walker--he didn't walk until 17 months, so trust me when I tell you understand. :) My ds started wearing the Pedipeds Harvey (ds's were in brown instead of blue) and I cannot tell you how much I loved them for him. The soles are just a tiny bit thicker than Robeez. He wore them as he was learning to walk and then until he outgrew them. They were fine for him to wear outside, etc. for the longest time. (We live in Hawaii, so it's hot all the time here!)

When he outgrew the Pedipeds, our next stop was the See Kai Run sandals (in Marek and Danny--the older versions), and we LOVED those. As a matter of fact, the only sandals ds has ever worn is the Pediped Harvey and the two SKR styles--and he's 2.5 now!

I would STRONGLY recommend the Pedipeds. :)

HTH

Susan

[MommyAllison]

Pedipeds, definitely! I like Beth's suggestion of getting a note from your ped for your daycare. How annoying!

Allison
Mama to DD 11/05