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>As a child I enjoyed going barefoot at home and >outside when it was warm and pleasant, in the spring, >summer and nice autumn days. But in winter I only >dared it less than a minute, I found the snow >painfully cold! >So I’m quite positively surprised and impressed by >my own children who all have the dedication to go >barefoot all through winter. I actually encouraged >them when it was warmer but I always left the choice >to them, as it cooled down they kept encouraging each >other and now they all say it’s enjoyable especially >in the new snow. It’s quite remarkable how strong >their circulation is, visible by the vivid pink colour >their naked feet take as they spend a considerable >time playing in snow with their friends in snow boots, >or as we spend hours together in town (while I wear my >cozy warm shoes). And when they come home their feet >have a pleasantly warm afterglow. >For me as a parent of course it has practical >advantages: I don’t have to to shop for footwear for >the changing seasons, measure feet, keep shoe sizes in >mind and make sure it still fits, taking bored kids to >a variety of shops to try on shoes several times a >year. When entering our house nobody will stumble over >a pile of children’s shoes and there are no dirty >socks littering the floor of their rooms, having to be >washed, dried and sorted. There’s quite a cost >advantage too but of course I’m willing to spend >whatever it takes to have my dear children grow up >healthy and happy (we’re spending the amount on >other goodies). When we go out they’re always ready >immediately, just putting on a pair of legwarmers and >grabbing a jacket. They all learned to check their >feet when coming in and wash them if necessary (the >bathroom isn’t far from the door). >I used to think going barefoot was good in mild >temperatures and on soft natural ground. Now my >children do it everywhere, all around the city and all >year even in winter. Their feet are as healthy as it >gets, walking on asphalt every day gives them smooth >leathery pads where their soles touch the ground. So >it’s obviously good to do it at this scale, at least >once you figure out how much cold you can take. >Sometimes I meet others who are skeptic about it, >especially in winter. They have to be convinced that >my children are fine and happy and it’s their >decision, walking barefoot doesn’t harm them, they >developed the tough feet to move painlessly with a >cheerful smile across gravel and ice. >Do you have that too, do others say it’s >irresponsible to let your children go barefoot in >winter? During a checkup their doctor said they have >among the strongest feet of their age group, so we >have it from a professional, we’re doing the right >thing and the children are happy and thankful for it!

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