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Sons school shoes

If the plimsolls are being used occasionally as a kind of slipper/indoor footwear then that's ok, but I'd never let my children wear them (or trainers) as shoes.

Children's feet keep growing until they're around 18 and so properly fitted shoes are crucial.

The school I used to work in banned trainers/plimsolls as school shoes for this reason. So, although your school might permit them, I personally wouldn't say its a good idea to replace proper shoes with plimsolls.
I think there fine my son finds the plimsolls comfy and he prefers them to proper school shoes
 
I think there fine my son finds the plimsolls comfy and he prefers them to proper school shoes

Yes, children often do prefer plimsolls or trainers but they're not the best choice for growing feet if they're being worn all day.

My daughter would live in her slippers if I let her! : D
 
I think there fine my son finds the plimsolls comfy and he prefers them to proper school shoes
That's because he isn't used to proper school shoes. The longer he lives without wearing them the harder it will be for him when he has to wear proper shoes as an adult. Whether he works in an office, shop, factory or building site he will need to wear appropriate footwear, which could even be safety footwear (much more difficult to get used to than school shoes) so he might as well start now.

I don't really think this is about his feet being comfortable. It's about him feeling 'cool' with his mates. I remember 'not feeling the cold' in the Winter because my school coat wasn't trendy.

Like someone else said, you have made up your mind already, so nothing we say will change that.
 
He's worn proper school shoes most of his school school time so far. I think he is just fed up of wearing proper school shoes. When he knew he could wear plimsolls from September at his new school he just wanted to start wearing them early like his 2 friends
 
I don't think that feet need support - the key thing is cushioning - soft springy soles or added insoles.
If they are not expensive then two pairs, one to stay at school for wet days, if that is possible - perhaps a spare pair of socks in a jacket pocket.
I have noticed that many school shoes are very badly shaped with narrow toes and stiff heavy soles - they are very bad for children's feet causing deformities of the feet and ankles, even affecting the knees. Footwear should be light and flexible - like plimsolls. The lace up or elasticated ones seem best. I was teaching maypole and morris dancing at a school recently and the Velcro fastening ones were coming off and children were tripping up
 
I don't think that feet need support - the key thing is cushioning - soft springy soles or added insoles.
If they are not expensive then two pairs, one to stay at school for wet days, if that is possible - perhaps a spare pair of socks in a jacket pocket.
I have noticed that many school shoes are very badly shaped with narrow toes and stiff heavy soles - they are very bad for children's feet causing deformities of the feet and ankles, even affecting the knees. Footwear should be light and flexible - like plimsolls. The lace up or elasticated ones seem best. I was teaching maypole and morris dancing at a school recently and the Velcro fastening ones were coming off and children were tripping up
That's a good idea to be fair I might buy him another pair tomorrow as in town hopefully Primark have them only £2
 
I don't think that feet need support - the key thing is cushioning - soft springy soles or added insoles.
If they are not expensive then two pairs, one to stay at school for wet days, if that is possible - perhaps a spare pair of socks in a jacket pocket.
I have noticed that many school shoes are very badly shaped with narrow toes and stiff heavy soles - they are very bad for children's feet causing deformities of the feet and ankles, even affecting the knees. Footwear should be light and flexible - like plimsolls. The lace up or elasticated ones seem best. I was teaching maypole and morris dancing at a school recently and the Velcro fastening ones were coming off and children were tripping up
The ones he has at the minute won't last until July anyway i think already seem to be starting to fall apart
 
He's worn proper school shoes most of his school school time so far. I think he is just fed up of wearing proper school shoes. When he knew he could wear plimsolls from September at his new school he just wanted to start wearing them early like his 2 friends

That makes total sense :)

But perhaps he might understand about why proper fitted shoes are recommended if you explained or if he looked online. If you shop around, you can find some excellent shoes at reasonable prices that will work for school and that don't look boring.
 
@Resurgam An interesting comment about soft/flexible shoes. Do you have a link for more info? My health visitor has always stressed the importance of properly fitted shoes - both length and width and foot shape. There was a sole thickness recommendation too, but I don't remember the figure offhand.
 
That makes total sense :)

But perhaps he might understand about why proper fitted shoes are recommended if you explained or if he looked online. If you shop around, you can find some excellent shoes at reasonable prices that will work for school and that don't look boring.
He dosent want to wear proper school shoes he wants to wear lace up plimsolls or vans but they cost £40 I told him No to vans so plimsolls it is
 
He dosent want to wear proper school shoes he wants to wear lace up plimsolls or vans but they cost £40 I told him No to vans so plimsolls it is
But what do you want him to wear? He's 11, it's up to you what shoes he wears, not him, he's a child and they don't always make the best choices. If you are happy with plimsolls then that's fine. :)
 
I certainly wouldn't recommend Vans, they have soles designed for skateboarding and are not very comfortable for everyday wear. He may change is mind about plimsolls when someone stands on his foot!
 
I certainly wouldn't recommend Vans, they have soles designed for skateboarding and are not very comfortable for everyday wear. He may change is mind about plimsolls when someone stands on his foot!
I don't think he will he's always wearing plimsolls he's got a blue and red pair for casual wear outside of school aswell
 
@Resurgam An interesting comment about soft/flexible shoes. Do you have a link for more info? My health visitor has always stressed the importance of properly fitted shoes - both length and width and foot shape. There was a sole thickness recommendation too, but I don't remember the figure offhand.
It is something I heard long before the internet was thought of - how a rigid sole prevents the movement of the foot, as in standing on the toes to stretch upwards, which involves movement of the bones of the ankle and contracting of the muscles at the back of the leg which assists in returning blood from the feet to the trunk and reduces strain on the heart.
There was also advice on ensuring girls did not wear high heels as it could reduce the aperture of their hip girdle and make childbirth problematic.
 
He dosent want to wear proper school shoes he wants to wear lace up plimsolls or vans but they cost £40 I told him No to vans so plimsolls it is

I was going to say Put Your Foot Down but that sounded a bit corny (pun intended : D )

He's at an age when they like to push the boundaries a little, but he's still only young so choose what's best for him rather than what he wants. Plimsolls are a cheap option but they're not suitable for long term wear day in day out.
 
It is something I heard long before the internet was thought of - how a rigid sole prevents the movement of the foot, as in standing on the toes to stretch upwards, which involves movement of the bones of the ankle and contracting of the muscles at the back of the leg which assists in returning blood from the feet to the trunk and reduces strain on the heart.
There was also advice on ensuring girls did not wear high heels as it could reduce the aperture of their hip girdle and make childbirth problematic.

Ah right - thank you :) Yes, a flexible sole is important too. Shoes are often neglected but we only have one pair of feet so best to look after them and choose wisely as you say :)

A good shoe fitter should take all those things into account - for adults as well as children, of course, but children's feet are still forming so it's even more important for them.
 
I was going to say Put Your Foot Down but that sounded a bit corny (pun intended : D )

He's at an age when they like to push the boundaries a little, but he's still only young so choose what's best for him rather than what he wants. Plimsolls are a cheap option but they're not suitable for long term wear day in day out.
He's very well behaved actually quite shy but he asked me and I could not say no as there allowed from September at his new school and his best friend Also weares plimsolls as school shoes
 
He's very well behaved actually quite shy but he asked me and I could not say no as there allowed from September at his new school and his best friend Also weares plimsolls as school shoes

I wasn't saying he was badly behaved :) Peer pressure is hard to deal with. It's a pity the school isn't more supportive of parents.
 
I wasn't saying he was badly behaved :) Peer pressure is hard to deal with. It's a pity the school isn't more supportive of parents.
He wasn't pressured they both decided last week that they were going to start wearing them this week and what do you mean about school not being supportive of parents ? There ok with my son he's doing well in school
 
He wasn't pressured they both decided last week that they were going to start wearing them this week and what do you mean about school not being supportive of parents ? There ok with my son he's doing well in school

I meant not supportive of wearing properly fitted shoes :)

That makes it hard for parents if the school isn't behind them.
 
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