What Will I Do If My Kids Want to Wear Non-Barefoot Shoes?
As a barefoot shoe advocate and parent, I’m often asked, “What will you do when your kids grow older and want to wear mainstream shoes like Converse, Vans, or Nike instead of barefoot shoes?” It’s a valid question, especially in a world where fashion and footwear can play a big role in how teenagers express themselves. To answer this, I’d like to expand on my thoughts and share my perspective on guiding children through healthy choices—not just about shoes, but in many areas of life.
Educating, Not Forcing
First and foremost, I firmly believe that a parent’s role is to educate, not dictate. Our job is to provide our children with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. It’s no different from guiding them in other areas, such as healthy eating or managing screen time.
When it comes to barefoot shoes, I encourage my children to wear them because I truly believe in the benefits for their foot health, posture, and overall comfort. At the moment, my kids love their barefoot shoes. They’re still very vocal about their preferences, particularly my eldest, who’s eight and just reaching the age where fashion starts to matter. He’s already noticing trends, so I make sure he has a say in the colours and styles of his shoes, within the limits I set.
Right now, I offer them a range of barefoot shoes to choose from. I only provide shoes from barefoot brands, and they’re free to select the ones they prefer from the options I give them. I don’t foresee this approach changing too much as they grow older. I’ll always aim to find barefoot alternatives to popular fashion styles—whether it’s trainers, boots, or even school shoes—so they have choices that meet their preferences while being healthier for their feet.
Letting Them Try for Themselves
If, in the future, my children decide they want to try regular shoes from big-name brands, I won’t stand in their way. In fact, I’d encourage them to try for themselves. I’ve seen it time and again with people who’ve worn barefoot shoes for a while—when they put on a pair of regular shoes, they’re perplexed by how uncomfortable and restrictive they feel.
I trust that after experiencing barefoot shoes for most of their lives, my children will notice how different and limiting conventional shoes are. They’ll feel the squeeze of narrow toe boxes, the stiffness of rigid soles, and the awkwardness of altered posture. At that point, they’ll be making their decisions from an informed place, and I’m confident they’ll come back to barefoot shoes. But if they don’t, then it’s their choice to make.
Making Informed Choices
As a parent, my role is to instil good habits and encourage self-care. Whether it’s about the shoes they wear, the food they eat, or how they spend their time, it’s my responsibility to guide them toward making healthy decisions. When they’re old enough to buy their own shoes and take responsibility for their health, the decisions will be in their hands.
If they choose to wear non-barefoot shoes, that’s fine. But I won’t be funding those choices. If they want to spend their own money on shoes that don’t support their foot health, that’s up to them. This is the same approach I’d take with other lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy food choices, smoking, or other habits that could impact their well-being.
It’s not about controlling their every move; it’s about teaching them the importance of self-care and letting them take responsibility when the time comes.
The Bigger Picture: Health and Self-Care
This approach extends beyond shoes. As parents, we guide our children toward making healthy choices in every aspect of life. Whether it’s their diet, how they treat their bodies, or how they interact with the world, the goal is to raise responsible, informed individuals.
I often compare it to teaching children about food. I guide my kids to eat a balanced diet, avoid too much sugar, and understand the importance of nutrition. But I can’t force them to make healthy choices when they’re out with friends. I hope that the habits I’ve instilled in them will lead them to make good decisions on their own.
The same applies to footwear. By teaching my children the benefits of barefoot shoes now, I hope they’ll continue to prioritise their foot health even as they grow older and start exploring fashion trends. I have great faith in two things:
- The barefoot shoe industry is booming. As the trend continues to grow, I expect we’ll see more and more styles that align with current fashion trends. With companies like Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes constantly innovating, I’m confident there will always be a stylish barefoot alternative to mainstream fashion shoes.
- Barefoot shoes will continue to gain popularity. We’re already seeing a cultural shift away from damaging fashion shoes. Just look at 2024: the era of high heels is dwindling among younger generations. Nightclubs are now filled with teenagers and young adults—particularly women—wearing trainers instead of heels. Crocs, once seen as a fashion faux pas, have become a mainstream staple. If Crocs can become socially acceptable for day-to-day wear, and trainers can be worn on a night out, then why not barefoot shoes?
I see a future where barefoot shoes become the new normal, offering not only health benefits but also style and fashion appeal. It’s exciting to think about where this movement is heading, and I’m confident that when my children are older, they’ll have plenty of barefoot options to choose from that allow them to express themselves while maintaining foot health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my approach to parenting and barefoot shoes is about educating my children, not forcing them into decisions. I encourage them to explore their own tastes within healthy boundaries, and as they grow older, I trust they’ll make informed choices. For now, my kids love their barefoot shoes, and I’ll continue to guide them toward healthy options.
As the barefoot shoe industry evolves, I have every hope that they’ll find the styles they want without compromising on foot health. After all, if Crocs can make their way into mainstream fashion, why can’t barefoot shoes? The future looks promising for both fashion and foot health.
Brit👣
