Fitting Shoes Properly

For eighty-five years, Stride Rite has been designing and engineering kids footwear for children. Why choose a first walker shoe from anyone else? Stride Rite Infant Shoes feature a natural motion system, which encourages and enhances a baby's natural stride path. Stride Rite researched jointly with the medical community and confirms that barefoot walking is beneficial for baby. The Stride Rite® Baby Natural Motion System™ provides the closest choice to barefoot.

When shopping for a first walker mom needs to remember that this will be a new experience for your growing baby. If this turns out to be a bad experience shopping for the next pair of shoes may be more difficult. It is important to make baby's first shoe purchase special. When shopping for infant shoes try these simple suggestions:
When measuring your baby's foot for proper fit try not to use a cold metal foot measuring device.

Select a shoe that is marginally larger than your child's foot. To much room will cause the feet to move around inside the shoes and make walking more difficult.
Never force a shoe on a baby's foot. If it goes on hard, sooner or later they will not let you put it on.

Have someone distract your baby when trying on their first pair of shoes. Having a favorite toy close by always helps.

Remember to have fun and do not be afraid to leave and come back later if your baby gets to frustrated. A Stride Rite fit specialist should know when to stop. When shopping for shoes, Stride Rite baby stages are designed to stimulate barefoot movement. Stride Rite's collection of kids shoes help strengthen your babies feet and provide balance for walking. Why choose any other brand when it comes to your babies first pair of shoes? After 85 years Stride Rite has it right.

Parenting Skills

The preparation of having a baby is overwhelming, buying bottles, diapers, clothes and setting up the nursery, it is life long preparations in a way because we learn from our own parents and how we were raised. Throughout this process you will find yourself daydreaming about beautiful days spend with your child and playing with them, but put all those dreams on hold for now. Those thoughts you had are all lovely but real life is not so. Parenting skills is also a requirement in the preparation process, and you better make sure you have good ones.

Being a Parent
The moment conception happens, your extremely challenging but gratifying job as a parent begins. This job is not a job you can quit when you do not like it anymore. It is a life long experience that rides on a rollercoaster, with sky high thrills and heart breaking downhill’s all throughout the way. To assist your child in learning how to cope with life and the ups and downs to it, you will need your parenting skills to kick in and guide you on the right path. This path will also lead you to self comfort in those difficult situations you will face in the future with your children.

You can’t go to the store and buy parenting skills, you can’t download it form the internet in a neat package, this is something you must become skilled at and gain. In order to become the parent you desire to be, you must investigate, allow us to help guide you where to look and get your questions answered:

Knowing you own kid – we all are different, and have unique character aspects that identifies us to be ourselves. We discovered that most children will copy their parents, and desire to follow into their footsteps, but then again there are those who do not want to be like their parents and defy. The children that rebel against what you have been used to are the ones you will need good parenting skills with, they will upset you and leave you discouraged at times.

Rediscover your inner child – you need to step inside your children’s shoes and remember what it was like to be a child, this is called rediscovering your inner child. You tend to forget how to relax and then get stuck in a bored lifestyle and stressful jobs. The best way to understand the issues at hand with your children is to place yourself in their shoes, and see things from their own perspective; you will then gain an understanding for how they are feeling and why they are rebelling. Good parenting skills will teach you how to listen to your child’s demands and not relinquish to them, but how to stand strong and view the issue in your child’s eyes and come to a solution that pleases both of you.

Some things that you will learn with good parenting skills is when to allow your child to win and when to make sure she loses in the battles you will face. There will be times when you have to disapprove of your child’s actions or attitude, but you do not want to this in a way that it will traumatize the child. Too much criticism is not good for any parent/child relationship.
Interested? Keep Reading To Discover Where To Find Good Parenting Skills

Who better to find out how to solve your parenting issues than to talk to someone who has went through it before? Online nowadays there are forums available, some with chat option, to find others who are already experienced in those problems you think are impossible to overcome. There are thousands of websites about parenting or related to parenting and you can find nearly any type of situation possible. Look at how others ended their issues; what their solution was and see if that may work for you as well.

Naturally, all this information cannot be processed by our brains in a day, it will probably take you a lifetime of learning, suffering and rejoicing before it is successful. The important thing to keep in mind is to never give up, and as long as you are open minded you have won half the battle already.

Choosing Boots for Childrens

Growing up in the Midwest had taught me the importance of having boots for children. There is no need for kids in California to wear boots, except during the rainy season. If you live in or near California, then it might be a smart idea to buy boots for children to keep your kid’s feet nice and dry. If you live in a harsher climate, you would probably have a different idea about boots for children. They are definitely necessary in the fall, winter, and early to mid spring.

My mother used to get me big, clunky, moon boots every year, and I hated them, not understanding how useful they were. They were thick, with a whole rubber shoe, and a warm insulated ankle piece. I still think that they are the best among all the boots for children that I’ve seen. They keep your feet warm and insulated, and are also very useful for walking though the snow. Although there are fancier types of children’s boots, I have never seen a practical alternative.

Another great thing about moon boots is that they are water proof. As a result, they are not only useful as snow boots for children, but as rain boots as well. Although they can make a kid feel a little bit hot and sweaty, I think that it’s better for their feet to be a little bit warm than a bit too cold. All parents should get this remarkable footwear for their children.

Of course, there are other kinds of boots for children as well. You might want to get hiking boots if you have a particularly active youngster. Kids have roughly the same footwear needs as adults, and if your kids want to go on a hiking trip, you should give them some trail boots. The only drawback with getting hiking boots for children is that they are expensive, and kids can quickly outgrow them. However, if you can afford to get them for your kids, then you should go for it.

Choosing Girls Flowered Shoes

So you just found out that your brother's getting married. Congratulations! Isn't that wonderful? Aren't you excited? And your daughter's going to be the flower girl? Wonderful!

You don't have to stress over this recent development. Yeah, your daughter might only be five years old and known to pick her nose in front of your in-laws. Who cares? That's what kids are famous for! You may have every reason to think that as she's walking down the aisle with her cute little bouquet of flowers that she'll inexplicably sit down and start bawling her eyes out. Or maybe she'll erupt into total chaos and run amok. What better thing to happen at the wedding of that scoundrel who used to give you wet willies when you were kids? Don't freak out about your cute little girl's up-coming task. She'll be able to handle it.

You have her dress picked out already, right? Well then that's half the difficulty right there. Everything will be fine. Now all that's left for you to do is to find your little flower girl a nice pair of shoes to wear to the wedding.

Shoes for flower girls come in all sorts of styles. Being that they're made for young children, you're not going to find any with high heels, but other than that you'll find just as many different shoes for flower girls as you would expect to find for adult women. Choosing the style will, of course, depend on the season, what the bride wants, and what you can get your little girl to wear. You can pick between open toed shoes and closed toe shoes. There are ones which resemble cute little slippers for a fairy princess, and there are shoes with delicate straps and cute miniature buckles and lots of other tiny details. Maybe Mary Janes are the way to go. Those are readily available, too. If your flower girl is just a toddler then there are plenty of pretty formal shoes for them, as well.

Shoes for flower girls are almost always white. This is because it's a popular color and it can be dyed to match any color scheme. Such shoes range in price from around $20 to $40, so you're not going to empty your wallet for your sweet angel's endeavor. Plain shoes are less expensive, whereas hand-trimmed shoes add to the cost. Many wedding stores will dye your shoes for free. The few that do charge for dying the shoes don't charge that much.

Weddings are one of the most important events of our lives. You should be proud if your daughter has been chosen to be the flower girl in someone's wedding. Don't worry about her punching the ring bearer in the face. There's nothing you can do about that. What you do have control over is the shoes she wears. Your local bridal shop will provide all the help you need for finding your little girl the right pair of shoes for her day as a flower girl.

Selecting Kids Shoes

There is nothing more natural to a parent than kissing a newborn's soft pink feet and counting its tiny toes. But once the baby starts to take its first steps, it is not so easy to know if its feet are developing normally.

The good news is that doctors no longer take such drastic corrective measures when dealing with most foot disorders. In fact, many such conditions aren't considered problems at all. "A baby's foot undergoes many changes that aren't serious, don't require any treatment, and are often normal parts of development," says Micheal Goldbearg, M.D., F.A.A.P., Professor and Chairman of orthopedics at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

Although the adult shoe has changed from being a protective covering to becoming a status symbol, the child's shoe has remained in its basic sole-protecting the foot from the hazards of the outside world. Regardless of age, a shoe's main purpose is to provide a protective covering during cold weather and prevent injury caused by stepping on sharp objects outdoors. But when kids are just learning to walk, they need plenty of shoeless time. Inside the house, socks with rubberized soles will provide protection without the risk of falling. But kids at some point have to leave the safety of their house and be able to move outside, without endangering their feet. Thus, when parents are buying a child's shoes it is important to remember to have their babies' and children's feet measured by an experienced salesperson as nobody wants the shoe to slip while the kid is walking or to rub against the ankle or toes. "Make sure both feet are measure while the child is standing!" adds Dr. Micheal Goldbearg.

A recent survey of professionals who give advice on children's feet, including pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, pediatric orthopedics, and podiatrists, revealed wide divergence of opinion regarding shoes and footwear in both normal and problematic feet. Then, what is a parent left to do? The only rational approach to the subject is to examine some traditional ideas in the light of recent studies and experience, so as to determine if the professional views should be upheld or discarded.
1. Shoes are necessary to promote foot development: In other words normal children's feet need support, otherwise they will become flat. Recent studies seem to contradict this. Feet deformities like bunions and hammer-toes are very rare among children who wear no shoes, in contrast to those who do, where such deformities are commonly detected.
2. High-top shoes are necessary to support the ankle as the child takes its first steps: Well-meaning but misinformed relatives often perpetrate this myth. Studies have shown that when a child is strong enough to stand up and walk, he will have ankles strong enough to support his body.
3. Sneakers, if worn for more than a couple of hours a day, are bad for children: This is a widely held belief among consumers as well as professionals. There is absolutely no evidence that normal feet develop into flatfeet if tennis shoes rather then hi-top or leather shoes are used.
4. Shoe salesmen are competent to diagnose foot problems and advise remedial shoe war for children: This is totally erroneous. Most shoe salesmen are well intentioned and desire to sell you the most comfortable shoes they can find. But they are not trained to give advice regarding foot problems. Responsible salesmen should suggest to parents that their child should visit a doctor, in case its feet do not appear right.
5. The Price of Shoes: The price of shoes is often related to the kind of material used. Leather is the most expensive, especially if it used for both uppers and soles. Since leather allows the feet to "breathe" in the shoes it helps avoid sweat accumulation and skin irritation. But while leather uppers are desirable, leather soles are not necessary and can be replaced by rubber or crepe soles.
6. The Soles of the Shoes: The soles of the shoes whether leather or rubber, should be thick enough to protect, yet flexible enough for walking. It is also important to look at the bottom of the soles to determine depth of the grooves. The deeper the grooves the better the traction.
7. Fitting Children's Shoes: Parents must remember looking for a pair of shoes to fit their child's feet, not vice versa. To get a good fit, both the shape and the size of the shoes should comfort to its feet. Foot size increases whether standing, sleeping, or running. Once the shoes are on, parents should check for adequate length and width, depending on their child's unique case.
8. The Appropriate Shoe: Certain types of shoes are appropriate depending on the child's age. Babies and crawlers do not need shoes. They only need booties, warm socks, or pre-walking shoes that do not bind feet. Shoes for toddles, on the other hand, age 9months to 3 years, should allow the foot to breathe due to perspiration. Style and shoe-fit is important for school-age children. For any child age, parents should be aware that problems such as flatfeet or high arch could be developed, and they should always pay attention to the anatomic nature of the shoes purchased.

Shoe Deals

Parents often need to buy their children new kid’s shoes because most children grow fast. Young children can grow a size every year, making it necessary to buy new kid’s shoes every time you turn around. At least young children are not fashion conscious and you do not need to buy them expensive shoes. However, pre-teens and teenagers would often ask you to spend your whole salary on expensive footwear.

There are a lot of places that offer thrifty kid’s shoes. Payless is a good source for great looking shoes, but keep in mind that they might not be durable or high quality. These kinds of shoes are ideal for youngsters who outgrow their footwear quickly. However, Payless shoes would not be suitable if you need running shoes for sports or gym class. If you want to give your child expensive shoes, you can search for bargains online.

The only problem is that your child cannot try these kid’s shoes on before you buy them, and in some cases, shipping is slow. But if you want to give high-end, brand names shoes as a present for your son’s birthday, online bargains can be useful. Hop on online sites like eBay for some great deals on kid’s shoes.

If you are planning to purchase kid’s shoes from retail stores, you should keep a few things in mind. Since your child’s feet are constantly growing, it’s not wise to choose a pair that fits perfectly. You have to give them space to grow, but you don’t want your kid’s shoes to be too large that your children will trip over them when they walk.

Have your child try on the shoes, and let your child walk in them for a bit. Feel to see how much extra room there is, and ask them if they feel comfortable in their shoes. To make sure that your child’s footwear will not wear out quickly, remember to have a pair for school, and a spare pair for dirty play. Some detergent and a toothbrush are effective in keeping most shoes clean.

Fall Shoes 2006

A Peek at What's In Store for Shoes this Autumn

Boots and Booties

Of course, the big footwear news any time the weather cools down is what's
happening with boots, and this season, there are so many styles to
choose from.

Booties, ankle boots, and knee-high boots are all going to be super hot. We'll be seeing a lot of gathering for a slouchy effect on both ankle and tall boots, and roll down cuffs on tall boots are going to be big as well.

Wedges, Platforms and Sandals Still Hot for Fall

Wedges are still among the hottest heels going, but heel that's too bulky won't work well with the skinny jeans and leggings that will be out in abundance this season.

For heels to wear with those styles, take advantage of the fact that platforms are still gaining momentum, and look for a platform shoe with a more delicate heel.

While sandals usually go the wayside when the sun sets on summer, this fall, there will be plenty of open-toed shoes to choose from.

Look for peep-toes and autumn sandals in some of the season's hottest fabrics: suede, velvet and patent.

Shoes for the Hottest Fall Fashions

With leggings taking over the streets, flats are hotter than ever.

Pointy-toed styles will help to counter the leg-shortening effect that leggings can have; but women who have an aversion to their feet looking longer can breathe a sigh of relief, as round-toed ballerina flats are still making headlines as well.

Given that plaids are turning up on every piece of fall clothing imaginable, solid colored shoes are definitely going to be more popular than the many patterns of last autumn.

The Colors of Autumn

Each season, the experts at Pantone analyze the which colors were hottest on the fashion runways.

This autumn, the standout shades include a deep gold and a bright purple. These results usually apply more to the clothes you'll be wearing, as opposed to the shoes you'll be seeing, but to help you visualize their findings, I've compiled an image gallery using shoes to represent the most popular fashion colors for fall 2006.

As far as footwear goes, bright colors are not as abundant as they've been in seasons past, the exceptions being red and purple. In shoes this year, there's a heavy trend towards black, neutrals, and greys.

The same is true in the evening shoes department, where very basic shades are making their way to the forefront, with silver, gold, black, ivory and neutrals all being especially hot.

Sports Footwear

No matter how sophisticated sports footwear may appear, they are not designed for performance enhancement and are at best provide a comfort zone. Contrary to what sales copy may say it is people who win Olympic medals and not their shoes. In just over a century, manufacturers which produce sport shoes have become multi-national industries with marketing budgets in excess of many developing countries GDP. Critised because of their flagrant dismissal of human rights many shoe companies continue to target sales at low socio-economic groups and all in the name of sport. In the interests of intellectual exchange the author attempts to explore some of the stranger facts and fiction concerning sport shoes.

What's New for the Fall Season

We have been watching Umi Kids Shoes since their products hit the market last year. They quickly became in instant hit with mom's for their children. Their spring 2006 line consisted of a lot of open toe sandals. Their fall line is full of color and new styles that are quickly going to make into the homes of many children. What we like about Umi is their quality. They make a durable kids shoe that just simply will not wear out. Your kids will out grow a pair of UMI's long before they are ready for the shoe graveyard. The Umi Bloom (pictured left) is a perfect example of their color style and quality. Priced in the $50.00 range you will find a shoe of this quality hard to beat. We love Umi. You can find Umi Kids on Amazon or you can shop kids shoe stores like UniqueHomeStore.Com.

Kids Shoe Sites

From time to time we come find great sites. While surfing recently we found this great kids shoes site.

Online Shopping Strategies

Do you ever get confused shopping on-line? There are so many sites out there it is difficult to find the good ones where you can get a deal at a great price. When searching in Goggle for example, the top listed sites are not always the best sites to buy from. Sometimes these sites spend a lot of money advertising and those costs eventually make its way into the price of the product that you are buying. Keep in mind that 'nothing is free'! If it is free then the price is built into the product that you are buying. Free shipping is good for allowing you to compare prices between web sites without having to checkout to see the hidden shipping costs. However, the post office charges for shipping so you have to assume that you are paying for it when you check out. Compare prices between sites. Shop for the lowest price and forget about everything else. You will often find that great prices on are on the smaller to medium size sites. The larger the site, the more overhead. Buying from a site with a physical store can often times be better. You will find that the brick and mortar aspect gives the company more creditability and they are often times more willing to deal with you if you have an issues. Dealing strictly with a web business can be frustrating when you need the customer service.

The best advise is shop price, then compare the free stuff and if they are still close buy from the one that has a brick and mortar store.