Wants to wear the old shoes

[guestmama9916]

I've noticed lately that my DS (almost 3) is more aware of what clothes and shoes I dress him in. A few times he's refused to wear the shirt I've picked out so I let him pick out the one he wants. No big deal. Most days he's not interested in clothing choices and just wants to get dressed quickly so we can go outside or go wherever. He's recently outgrown a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of summer sandals. I've replaced both with similar styles of shoes and he gets excited about having new shoes but will only wear them on occasion. This morning I sent him to preschool in the old sandals that are too small because he insisted on wearing the old ones, not the new ones. I don't like him wearing the old sandals since they seem too tight. As soon as he gets to preschool, he takes them off when the teachers aren't looking so it seems he's uncomfortable too. Since this is something new for us, I would love to hear from other parents on how you've dealt with similar situations. TIA

Kim

[True Blue]

I just used to make sure the old ones disappeared right away. Out of sight out of mind worked fairly well with my DS.

[guestmama9916]

Originally Posted by True Blue

I just used to make sure the old ones disappeared right away. Out of sight out of mind worked fairly well with my DS.

Good idea! I should have thought of that earlier.

[mightymoo]

I have this problem too - not with shoes per se, but DD will pick out her own clothes to get dressed, most of the time I could really care less, but summer has posed a new problem - she picks out long pants and a heavy top and now I'm arguing with her with her telling me 'I want to be hot!'. So I've had to remember to go back and purge all the unacceptable clothing so she can just chose what she wants again.

[Rani]

To be honest, it always seemed to go over better when Leah was in the store helping to decide on the shoes - as well as making the old ones vanish EVen when she was 2 or 3, I would show her two options and she would pick one. When I did this, usually, there was no issue (even when the old ones didn't vanish).

Good luck!

[kirstenb3]

My DD learns much more quickly (and with less arguing) if I just let her figure it out for herself. I might say "those shoes are too small or you will be hot in those long pants" but if she wants to try for herself I just let her and make sure to put the right size shoes (or shorts etc..) in her backpack to bring along. Soon enough she will decide on her own that Mama was right all along.

[Alkenny]

Another 'out of sight, out of mind' mama here. Though my older DS had a REALLY rough time letting go of them. We were lucky that the store still had the same kind of shoe there, so he wore the same style/design for the longest time, just a bigger size.

[Fieryfly]

I agree with all the PP, do your mommy-thing and keep the choices available to him proper ones. It will help keep you two from getting into power struggles and keep it a positive experience for him.

[4evermom]

If he insisted on wearing the old ones someplace, I'd pack the new ones to change into, but I try to pack away what doesn't fit ASAP (or dh will be trying to put them on ds, too).

[callmeluci]

Originally Posted by Alkenny

Another 'out of sight, out of mind' mama here. Though my older DS had a REALLY rough time letting go of them. We were lucky that the store still had the same kind of shoe there, so he wore the same style/design for the longest time, just a bigger size.

LOL! My son wore the exact same shoes from size 6 through size 10. He would have worn them longer, but they didn't make them in a size larger than a 10. I am so glad that my son isn't the only one like that out there. Thanks for sharing that, Momma!

[mamazig]

hee! i thought it was only us! what is it w/old stinky shoes that makes them so daggone attractive to a 3ish yr old?!

[mummy marja]

My dd has a hard time with change...and new clothes and shoes is a big thing for her. I've learned that I should NEVER buy her new stuff without her there to ok it. Then I need to leave the new items lying around (with one shirt it took 5 months, good thing it was a little big!) until they are OLD enough for her to wear!