As I sat at a red light, rocking my sweats behind the wheel of my Hotyssey 
, I couldn’t help but notice them. It was like they had just stepped out of some magazine I would never buy and onto the cross walk in front of me. Dad, looking like a cross between a surfer dude and a suburban dad… Mom, put together perfectly, with long, golden locks and a stylish baby carrier (minus the impossible-to-get-out milk vomit like my carrier used to sport). Even big sister (who I’m guessing was around 5 or 6) was catwalk-worthy, pushing her doll in a stroller, wearing some cute outfit and pink wedged boots.
Wait, what?
I watched the little girl walk across the four-lane street, slowly and awkwardly trying to make her way in her (what I could only guess) were her new “big girl” boots. While they certainly were cute — I might wear a pair like it myself — I wondered, is that really a good idea for little ones to be wearing shoes with a heel — even a wedge?
I turned to pediatrician Dr. Paul Horowitz to get his take on it. According to him, there’s no physical reason a kid can’t wear a wedge — no development risks, scoliosis or foot issues (yes, I asked all of those). However, his face seemed to tell more of the story as he expressed his concern over letting little ones dress well beyond their age. If they’re wearing heels at 6, what will they be wearing at 13?
What’s your philosophy on kid fashion? Does anything go at your house or where do you draw the line?
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Jackie
After 14 years working in network and syndicated television, Jackie's career shifted from the small screen to the computer screen, as the founding editor/spokesperson of a parenting site, produced by Warner Bros. Since then, Jackie's work has included the production of video series and podcasts and writing for television, Web and magazines. Jackie is the co-host of Broadscast, an irreverent web radio show, and the executive editor of TheRickiLakeShow.com.
When not online, Jackie enjoys spending time with family honing her stand up and sarcasm skills , much to the chagrin of her husband and three kids.
I’d probably get a second opinion from a podiatrist, honestly. But it’s a moot point because I wasn’t allowed to wear heels before I was 10, and then only to synagogue or on special occasions. As a parent, I don’t feel like that is unreasonable. I see kids whose shorts may as well be underwear, and whose clothing you can pretty much see everything through. So if I seem prude because I like to keep my 4 year old a kid, rather than a small adult, for a little longer, and her skorts/shorts are a little longer and her shirts are not super super tight… I’m kind of ok with that.
I’m not sure how high you’re actually talking. My daughter loves hers and they’re seriously not bad at all. I didn’t even give them a second thought! The heel height is only 1.5 inches and the platform is only .5 inch. They are wedges and she does love them. She’ll only wear comfy clothes, so they must be comfortable or trust me, she wouldn’t wear them!
My 8 year old (almost 9) just got a pair of wedge boots which are 1.5 inches, she also only wears comfy shoes. She does well in them, little dress shoes I don’t buy her any with heals because for her shoe size they are too high. My daughter Annesia (sounds like A-knee-see-A……..this is how her brother said her name to people when she was born), is my little fashion girl. She loves to be in style, but I only let here do some of the things. Some of the things they have out there for kids they think it’s my size I should be able to wear it, but my stand is to my daughter I pay for your clothes so I have final say on what you wear, I tell Annesia as long as you live in my house you will follow my rules. So, I allow the wedge boot, but not everything goes.