| My child's first two years were spent between the | | | | is that many parents cannot afford shoes that range |
| Middle East and the UK. The problem of starter | | | | from US$40.00 on a good day up to something like |
| shoes was the nightmare of my life for the entire | | | | US150.00 for those who shop in designer stores. |
| period. The problem was that in the Emirates, at | | | | Even the most basic school shoe costs quite a lot |
| least in those days, little children did not wear shoes, | | | | from high street suppliers. Nowadays, though, there |
| or if they did they were likely little play shoes from | | | | are one or two economies which can be made. You |
| the market and not in the least beneficial for growing | | | | can take your child into any shoe store and ask |
| feet. | | | | politely that your child's foot be measured. Reputable |
| We had to wait then to get to the UK to buy shoes, | | | | stores are very happy to measure your child's foot |
| and try to hazard a guess at all the sizes we would | | | | and tell you exactly where more or less room might |
| need for the whole of the following year. This is | | | | be needed, even if you are not actually buying the |
| impossible of course, and I ended up making 'shoe | | | | shoes from that particular store. |
| trips' at huge expense, just to buy suitable footwear | | | | Take their advice, and buy the shoes from reputable |
| for a two year old. Of course I bought other things | | | | supermarket ranges. Always ensure your child tries |
| at the same time, but the main reason for the trip | | | | the shoes first, this is important. Do not try to guess |
| was because my child had run out of shoes that fit | | | | the fit because you cannot be bothered to bring |
| properly. | | | | your child shopping after school. |
| Parents in modern society are threatened with all | | | | Of course it is much better to have the more |
| sort of dark prophecies if they allow their children to | | | | expensive option, but when you are on a budget |
| wear anything but a good quality shoe that has been | | | | then compromises must be made. When shopping for |
| properly fitted by an experienced fitter in a reputable | | | | trainers, please beware of cheap copies of designer |
| shoe store. | | | | shoes. Sometimes the cheap versions over use |
| This is absolutely right of course, we must take care | | | | plastic liners which make the feet perspire horribly, |
| of our children's foot health, but the unfortunate fact | | | | leading to susceptibility to fungal infections. |