Picture the scene: a sunny garden, complete with paddling pool, sandpit and naked toddler.
Nothing unusual about that for August – except the toddler isn’t actually naked. She wears not a stitch all over her body, but her feet are adorned with a pair of socks and some heavy duty boots.
A good look, I’m sure you’ll agree.
The thing is, my two year old is still wobbly when it comes to walking. At 26 months, she only fully mastered the craft of getting up on two feet before her recent birthday. She has hypermobility issues, which means she is very bendy, making it hard for her to balance properly.
Added to the bendiness are her wonky flat feet, punctuated by a complete lack of instep, meaning she walks with her feet splayed out, putting a huge strain on her ankles. With no shoes to keep them in place, her ankles touch the floor.
So it was with a huge smile that I let her remove her clumpy hospital Piedro Boots this weekend. These beauties may keep her stable, but they do nothing to keep little toes cool in the heat. And they certainly don’t complement nudity.
Every day that Frog is up on her wonky feet, her ankles grow stronger. Every day that she takes another step and runs to chase something, her hips gain strength and she increases in confidence. In the last couple of days she’s started jumping and it’s hilarious to see her attempt to take off, only reaching the dizzy heights of success (about 1 centimetre off the ground) on some occasions.
Frog’s physiotherapist has advised us to keep her in the Piedro boots for a little while each day, to take the strain off her ankles and give her hips and knees the chance to get stronger. But it’s also important she doesn’t rely on these boots to walk all the time.
So toes out on the grass and in the paddling pool occasionally are encouraged. As are other types of shoes with a bit less ankle support.
We’ve found these Skeanies boots good for days relaxing at home, when Frog’s ankles are ready to do a bit more work on their own, but not quite in the mood to go solo completely.
Plus, they’re really rather pretty and go with a lot of her more girly outfits. (Although, obviously, not the long socks with shorts. I have no idea why my toddler continues to rock this look.)
Frog also has a pair of hi-top trainers from Next, which she LOVES. The bargain price of under £20 means I also love them. The support is just about right for her hypermobile ankles when she’s ready for a break from the hospital boots – plus, they look utterly cool.
And the trusty faithfuls – bought nearly 6 months ago but which STILL fit – are these purple Ricoste Boots. After an entire evening searching every corner of the internet I finally found a pair in a minuscule size 4.
With her tiny feet, Frog has had to forego many of the mainstream boot brands on the high street up until now, but I literally cheered when I came across these beauties. They’re the boots that eventually saw her get up on her two feet and, for that, I’ll forever have a soft spot for them.
Unfortunately for my diva child, it’s likely she may struggle to walk in heels when she’s older. We’re told her flat feet are so extremely pronounced that she may have to wear special insoles right through adulthood. It’s not clear yet if it’s something she’ll grow out of. But, for now, her favourite boots (mine) are still out of bounds.
***
This is not a review post as such, but I was given the Skeanies Boots for the purpose of a previous review.
I am so happy for you and your daughter. Hypermobility is a serious issue that many ignore, but it is fantastic you have found shoes she loves, it will do wonders for her self-esteem too.
Whether or not see wears heels at the moment she has a awesome collection of cool boots, any girl would fancy :0) Take things one day at a time. She certainly seems to get on with exploring not matter what, she’s got spunk, that’s great to see.
Here shoes look gorgeous anyway honey and hopefully her condition will approve as she grows up.
It is good to see someone write a post about hypermobility in children. I’m a podiatrist and it is a far mor common problem than people realise. I have seen a lot of older children who now have damage as a result of being undiagnosed and not wearing supportive footwear. I’m glad you’ve found some funky boots for your little one and hope her hypermobility improves.
She is doing so well. Boots are the way to go. I love my boots
The Baby has weeny feet too (like her mummy) and I love Ricoste shoes for her – small sizes and so much nicer looking than the usual high street fare. It must be lovely for you to see her barefoot – and super-lovely for her to feel the grass under her feet.
She is doing just great. Erin is the same with boots that are so hot at the moment!
She would agree with you on that one – although her favourites are Jelly Shoes and even though she’s never actually walked in them, she still loves them dearly. Not sure how great that makes her taste?!
Awww, Frog has excellent taste in shoes and a lot of style! xx
I have all of those same problems! Only, my parents never figured it out. I’ve been having to do the onerous task of learning what works for me vs. what causes me undue pain.
They make Merrells in itsy bitsy sizes too (I know because I work at a daycare). They’re expensive, but they have good arch support. I only work a pair because a friend of mine didn’t like them and we found out we’re the same size (score!). I’m still only a US size 6; which is like uber tiny feet in adult sizes.
Right now I’m rocking out on Saucony’s. They have REALLY good arch support and they’re affordable. Always good. You might look into them.
I’m 29 and I still can’t wear heels though. It’s not worth the risk of hurting my ankles. I still occasionally fall down in flats, so heels? Not a chance.