If The Shoe Doesn't Fit

Shoes may be little more than a fashion statement for you, but they are much, much more to your children. That's because kid's feet are still forming says David Braaten, owner of Trendy Toes Children's Shoes in Cary. "When children are born, their feet are primarily fatty tissue and cartilage. As they grow, their feet form. A well fitted, quality shoe helps the child's feet to properly develop. Shoes actually affect the bone structure of the whole body. Many feet issues that older people have are the result of wearing shoes, when they were young, that were did not properly fit."

Many parents think that a thumb width of space at the toe ensures the proper fit. "Not so," says David. "You also need to take into consideration the fit across the instep, the proper width, and the fit around the heel. Quality children's shoes are made with growth room in mind. Good quality shoes are designed to flex where our foot naturally flexes. A shoe too small or too large does not flex with the foot and can cause problems." The best way to ensure that your child's shoe is fitted property is to have him sized by a professional. Because children grow in spurts, you'll need to have them re-measured every two to three months, even though they might not need a new pair of shoes each time.

"The current train of thought is that children should wear shoes that allow their feet to develop naturally," advises David. "Don't compromise on your children's shoes. Look for shoes that have leather uppers that will allow the feet to breathe naturally. There are many reasonably priced great quality children's shoe brands on the market. Take the extra time to properly fit your children's feet and they will thank you later."