Am I being unreasonable? - Page 2

[greenmom4]

At both the preschools my kids have been to, they keep hard soled slippers to wear while at school, especially in the winter. Winter boots are so heavy and HOT - ugh. And you're right, the classroom would be so grungy.

[AlmostAPpropriate]

Preschool teacher here. 2 year old class. I hate CROCS! Ok, I actually love my Rx Relief Crocs but I hate them on my class kids. They really spoil playground fun as we have mulch. Sooo much time is taken from play because the shoes get mulch in them and have to be taken off and cleaned up.

As far as I can tell the only thing the teachers need to correct is the shaking out of the cornmeal. All else is up to you as his mommy.

Here's some info:

Be aware that putting your foot into the same footwear over and over can also be contributing to your sweaty feet. That’s why it’s important to do the following to help treat sweaty feet:

* Change your shoes and socks often to help you avoid sweaty feet. You may even want to bring an extra pair of socks with you to the office and change them during lunchtime to help curb your sweaty feet. (an option for teacher if you provide)
* Change any insoles you have in your shoes on a regular basis as well to avoid sweaty feet.
* Regularly rotate your shoes – especially shoes you wear to play sports or work out in – to help you avoid sweaty feet and foot odor problems.
* Take care of all the shoes you wear often – wash and disinfect them, or discard any foul smelling shoes – can also help make sure you won’t suffer with sweaty feet.

My personal advice that I follow in summer when I wear a lot of shoes without socks is to rub tea tree oil on my soles in the am (allow time to dry and apply sparingly). My feet still sweat but dont make my sandals stinky.

[JL83]

It's totally normal for them to have to wear shoes inside.

Are you maybe dressing your son too warmly? My DD is a sweater (her head not feet) if I dress her the way other kids are dressed. So I normally keep her in at least a layer less than what it seems like the other kids are wearing. So she almost never wears lined pants when most of the kids start wearing them in October. And she also is in t-shirts when the other kids are in long sleeved shirts and a sweater/fleece.

[EdnaMarie]

Is this a pre-school, or a daycare? (Purpose of question: the age range, the estimated teacher-child ratio, the types of activities.)

I think it is normal and acceptable for a teacher with up to ten two-year-olds to let them keep their shoes on.

How can kids go to the bathroom, the floor of which might be wet, in socks?

Ideally, they would take them off after the cornmeal box, but frankly, that would not be my top priority. I think it's the parents' responsibility to dress the child in shoes that do not sweat, or like the pre-school teacher suggested, provide an extra pair to be changed at lunch.

Also consider that once one kid has his shoes off, then half the others want theirs off, then on, then off... I can't even imagine.

[Aeress]

Cornmeal in a sandbox? Umm, I am all for different sensory materials but cornmeal? Blech. Ok, got that out of my system.

The crocs has been an issue at many schools. I think they are fine for climbing and playing as long as they have the heal strap on. As a teacher, the only kind of shoe that I have a concern with is flip flops.

I am glad they don't keep the kids in boots all day- not good for feet, and good for the kids health, to have wet soggy, dirty floors.

I would keep a second pair of shoes at the daycare for when he gets really sweaty.

[blizzard_babe]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

Could you try a different kind of shoe? Keen's or knockoff's are closed toe, but "holey" like sandals. .

This. And they're probably on sale this time of year.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I definitely cannot buy another pair of shoes at this point. I am extremely low income, and even shelling out $5 for the Croc knockoffs was a little painful. The teacher at school said that the only time the Croc type shoes get to be a real problem is when they go outside and the playground equipment is wet.

Soooooooo, Crocs it is for now, and I will send a pair of sneakers in to be put on in the event they go out in the rain. He doesn't have any rainboots right now, and I can't afford those either, so I figure the sneakers will provide traction in wet weather and can dry out in between while he wears the Crocs.

EdnaMarie, this is technically a preschool, and the ratios are extremely low. There are 15 kids in his class with 3 full time teachers, and two full time interventionists/aids. There are also a couple of floats that come into all of the classrooms depending on where they are needed that day. So, the ratio can be anywhere from 2-3 kids to one adult.

JL83, that is a good thing to think about. I will try dressing him a bit cooler and see how that affects his feet. I do tend to dress him in layers that I would find comfortable, but he tends to need less clothing and blankets at night, so it would makes sense that he might be getting a bit overheated at school.

Aeress, I agree with your feelings about the cornmeal: Ick.... But, it is not really something I want to get too picky about. I think they do it so that the kids who are still putting things in their mouth are not eating actual sand.

[Kirsten]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

The teacher got a little snippy with me and said she would have to have a kid under each arm and one on her shoulders in the event of a fire drill if he didn't have shoes on all the time.

She really was pretty much saying that she was against kids taking their shoes off unless they had sensory issues and needed them off.

Is this something that is normal in most preschools? Am I overreacting? What would you mamas do? I am seriously considering getting a doctor's note saying his shoes need to be off when he is inside.

The teacher is right - and I've seen it in my dd's preschool which was in the daylight basement of a church. Their smoke alarm had a problem with going off, but we always had to treat it as if it were a fire - in case it was. You really DO have to pick up multiple kids and try to get out (in our case up a long set of cement stairs) and I will tell you that it is HARD.

I think it might help to think about this as school (which of course it is) and not home. Different rules apply. It isn't fair to try to apply what you think is best at home to the school setting. They have dozens of kids; they have state laws and insurance rules to follow. It just doesn't work.

Yes, it is normal in preschools. Yes, you are overreacting. I would drop the issue. Getting a doctor's note about this is COMPLETELY over the top.

I think that expensive/nice/easy to ruin (like canvas) shoes are a poor choice for preschool. They'll get paint on them. They'll get muddy and/or wet at outdoor play. Anything that can slip or be accidentally kicked off is also not good IMO. I agree with whomever said the type that Lands End sells which can be strapped on - but the ones that sand or cornmeal could settle out of would also let sand chips IN on the playground. I vote good athletic socks with tennis shoes that can be wiped off with soap and water AND withstand the messy nature of preschool.

Maybe consignment stores have gently worn shoes - and you could take in some of dc's outgrown items to use as credit towards shoes? Or ask your mom or MIL for shoes as a gift to you?

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

I definitely cannot buy another pair of shoes at this point. I am extremely low income, and even shelling out $5 for the Croc knockoffs was a little painful. The teacher at school said that the only time the Croc type shoes get to be a real problem is when they go outside and the playground equipment is wet.

Soooooooo, Crocs it is for now, and I will send a pair of sneakers in to be put on in the event they go out in the rain. He doesn't have any rainboots right now, and I can't afford those either, so I figure the sneakers will provide traction in wet weather and can dry out in between while he wears the Crocs.

My son wears Crocs year round and we live in the midwest. He's worn them on the playground, while walking, riding his bike, etc. I haven't really seen an issue with him and traction. The other thing that's nice about Crocs is that they can go in the dishwasher and washing machine. Ds' Crocs have been in both at one time or another (top rack in the dishwasher). The nice thing about the Crocs is that they would air dry a lot quicker than a sneaker or other similar shoe.

[oceanwinds]

Well, I have to agree with the OP. My children would not ever go to a preschool where they were required to keep their shoes on all day long. I just don't think it is healthy for little (or big) feet.

I taught preschool for years and I never wore shoes in the classroom. If the children wanted to wear their shoes, I didn't have a problem with it, but most of them took their shoes off as soon as they came in my room. We would even go outside barefoot. Now, granted, this was south Florida, so I didn't have to worry about winter boots. Then again, even when I taught in Alaksa, I just had a pair of slip-ons to go to the playground; inside I was barefoot.

Firedrills were never a problem because our "safe spot" was across the playground, so we didn't really need shoes.

[octobermom]

Yup our school has a shoe policy as well its standard in pretty much every school I've known. Can't comment on the winter boot thing as I'm in AZ..
FOr shoes we bought these http://www.crocs.com/crocs-kids-rall...d=outlet-girls type because the school requires completely enclosed and the mary jane style crocs we had before for my sensory sentiive DD feet was "not allowed" had the deal with the price but I love them they stay put allow her to fully run climb ect but they totally breath no more sweaty feet.

Deanna

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by octobermom

Yup our school has a shoe policy as well its standard in pretty much every school I've known. Can't comment on the winter boot thing as I'm in AZ..
FOr shoes we bought these http://www.crocs.com/crocs-kids-rall...d=outlet-girls type because the school requires completely enclosed and the mary jane style crocs we had before for my sensory sentiive DD feet was "not allowed" had the deal with the price but I love them they stay put allow her to fully run climb ect but they totally breath no more sweaty feet.

Deanna

OMG, those are flipping perfect!!! Thank-You so much for that link!!!!!

Honestly, I came back to this thread just wishing it would die. I get that most of the posters on here think that I was over-reacting, and it was a little hard to read post after post telling me that I was nutty for thinking DS could go to school without shoes on all day. From January until June, he was a shoes-off preschool, and the two preschools that I interviewed before this one were shoes-off, so I just figured they all were. I just really feel that having little feet in shoes all day is just not good for them, especially with his sweat problem. No biggie, just my own personal preference for him. I definitely get that it is a policy at some places, and it is not a deal breaker for me.

The Crocs Rally is so perfect though. I really don't have the extra to spend on yet another new pair of shoes for him, but I am going to go buy a pair right now. I love that they are more closed on the top to keep them on better, they have the anti-microbial and odor-resistant footbed, and they look like he might even be able to put them on and take them off on his own. They have non-slip rubber soles rather than the Croc plastic soles, and they also have the ventilation holes, so even though he might be getting some corn meal in there, at least his sweaty-swamp feet will get a bit of air.

Thank-You, Thank-You, Thank-You a zillion times over!

Just as a side note, how flexible are they? He can walk in stiffer soles, but I tend to try to buy him shoes that are still a bit more on the softer side. His Croc knock-offs can be folded in half length-wise and rolled into a cinnamon bun type shape from heel to toe they are so super soft. I am pretty sure regular Crocs aren't that soft, but soft is good. Just wondering...

[Pumpkin_Pie]

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Crocs website is out of stock in DS's size in every single color!!!! He is just barely a size 9, and the 10/11 definitely wouldn't fit him. : I tried Googling and can't find them anywhere else except in the UK...... AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[octobermom]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Crocs website is out of stock in DS's size in every single color!!!! He is just barely a size 9, and the 10/11 definitely wouldn't fit him. : I tried Googling and can't find them anywhere else except in the UK...... AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO!!!!! Let me see if I can find a link someplace for you.. As for flexiablity there pretty flexiable I can bend them in on themselfs and twist them...

Deanna

[octobermom]

Grrr I'm also not seeing them in another USA store at least online.. Deffiently call customer service tommorow the yshould hopefully be able to help.

Deanna

[hottmama]

My preschooler wore soft-soled shoes to school last year (in the 3s class) so he kept them on most of the time but most kids took their shoes off. They are required to wear socks or shoes, so most kids do socks. Some keep slippers at school. We'll probably keep some soft-soles there once the wet/snowy season rolls around and wear boots there.

My kids like to wear sneakers without socks so we get the stinky feet-- try washing them and then putting a little baking soda in them and make sure they dry out in between wears.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by octobermom

Grrr I'm also not seeing them in another USA store at least online.. Deffiently call customer service tommorow the yshould hopefully be able to help.

Deanna

I already emailed them begging and pleading. I asked them if they possibly had another pair in the 8/9 size kicking around anywhere, or if they are going to be back in stock soon. I will definitely give them a call tomorrow as well. Thinking positive thoughts here......

I am also tempted to buy the 10/11 size so he has a pair for next year too, but finances are so super duper tight right now.

[BCFD]

Have you seen these???? http://www.zappos.com/product/7293247/color/7
They are super cute and only a few bucks more. The tread is awesome, but they are super flexible. We just got a pair for our dd, but she prefers the little ballet slippers (they would look funny on your son ). They have two different links - one for infants and one for toddlers, so poke around on zappos to try to find the right size (if you're interested). They are considered slippers, but really are more "shoe-like" to me.

As for the rule - I think it's ABSURD! I think you did the right thing by sending him with a pair of classroom shoes. All 3 of my kids are in school. The 2 younger one's are 4 and 3 and they go to a private Montessori preschool where they wear socks in the classroom year round. My 5 year old just started a Montessori charter school and they need to have a pair of slippers for the classroom. I think because they do their work on the floor (work rugs) they want to keep as much gross stuff out of the classroom as possible.

[BCFD]

Oh, what about the Robeez Tredz??? Some of my most favorite shoes EVER!

http://robeez.com/Tredz-Robeez-baby-...t=2&Lang=EN-US

You know, now that I really think about it. I think the Tredz would be perfect, perfect, perfect!!!!!!!

[MacKinnon]

The shoes rule is normal. Not helping them dump out the stuff in them, is NOT. I would be insisting that they help him empty his shoes at nap time, or before lunch, or whatever if this is a consistent issue. My kids get sandy, dirty and sticky at school, but very rarely come home with things actually in their shoes unless I pick them up straight off the playground. It never occurred to me until your post, but given how much sand I dump out of cuffs on jeans, and pockets in pants, I'm sure someone is helping DS (also 2) empty his shoes! Boots are treated separately, and usually stay in their cubbies until after outside time, and then they sit on a rug by the back door. They help the kids change in and out of shoes at outside time.