I recently hosted the Carnival of Bent Attractions, an LGBT blogging event organized by Maria at Daily Dose of Queer. Because she’s clearly a woman who knows how to manage her time, Maria is also organizing the new Carnival of Shoe and Bags. At first, I dismissed this as something of little interest. Since I’ve become a stay-at-home mom, sneakers are de rigeur, except in summer, when I don sandals and adhere to the dictum of “no socks between Memorial Day and Labor Day, unless hiking.” (This trend started several years ago as an outgrowth of the Laundry Reduction Act of 2004.) I thought my fashion apathy would bar me from the company of those blogging about Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. Maria has assured us, however, that she will accept any and all posts having to do with shoes (and presumably bags) of any type, age, or intended gender. She’s also interested in what people do with shoes, shoe manufacture, and the social aspects of shoes. Herewith, a reflection on children’s shoes from a lesbian mom’s perspective.
To me, my son’s shoes reflect his growth more than any other item of clothing. When we “upgrade” his sneakers to a new size every few months, I’m always amazed at how much bigger the new ones look, and how much more of a big boy he looks. When we do the yearly purchases of snowboots and sandals (six months apart), the difference is even more immediate. If I had the foresight, I would have bought plaster to make footprints of each pair he’s owned.
For the first six months of his life, however, he didn’t wear shoes. He was born in early summer, and socks were enough to keep his feet warm until fall. (I offer that as a tip to new parents, though chances are some relative or other will foist shoes upon you.) We then sprang for a pair of Robeez, the soft leather shoes with a great range of cute appliqués. (A nod to my Canadian readers for the fine product from their country—and one invented by a stay-at-home mom, no less.) He went through several pairs until his increased velocity meant the suede soles weren’t as grippy as he needed. Now he’s in Stride Rites, which seem to have a good balance of support and flexibility. (Stride Rite incidentally bought the Robeez company last fall.)
Shoes seem to follow the unfortunate trend in children’s clothing to be branded with action items for the boys (trucks, trains, superheroes) or flowers and frills for the girls (along with the usual assortment of branded characters). Even Robeez has the image of a pink princess holding the hand of a blue pirate on its Web homepage. Sigh. I knew it was a gendered, hetero-centric world, but there’s nothing like buying children’s clothing to drive it home. (Alternative gift idea: a pair of penguin-adorned Robeez and a copy of And Tango Makes Three.)
Some of the best visual features of kids’ shoes, though, are the embedded flashing lights. Not only are they good for safety, but they look cool, too. Now if only they put them in the women’s sizes. I could have a little light-up rainbow that proclaimed my pride with every step. (OK, maybe that would be a bit much. I’d settle for shoes with the new lesbian Batwoman adorning the sides.)
Since I’m all about the practical parenting tips here at Mombian, though, here are several good resources on shoes and children’s health:
- Guide to Children’s Shoes, from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
- Your Children’s Feet, from the American Podiatric Medical Association
- Your Podiatric Physician Talks About Sports and Your Children’s Feet, from the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
(I’ve included these links in the Mombian Resource Directory under Children’s Health and Safety.)
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