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>> >>How do you introduce the idea of ​​keeping the >>kids barefoot to your partner? Do you talk about it on >>the first date or does it come more slowly? > >In my case that idea developed while Rita was already >"on the way". It was clearly my idea, my partner was a >bit skeptical (worried about possible injuries) but >now wholeheartedly supports her. > >When I first met my husband we didn't talk about >children. We got to know each other, our friendship >developed into love, the idea of having a child >together came up for real when we looked for a place >to settle down together and found a nice home with a >little garden. We both agreed that it's important to >give her freedom and space when growing up, to give >her enough time, to provide directions, be a good >example, but let her take her own decisions as soon as >she's mature enough for that. > >The months of pregnancy leading to birth are also a >time of mental preparation and I read a lot during >that time. Not just parenting guides (bookstores have >entire sections for that), but I also re-read some >books from my childhood, I remembered particularly >pleasant moments of my own childhood and I realized I >was barefoot in a lot of those happy moments, be it >during the summer holidays, at the beach or lake, >climbing trees or just at the playground with friends. > >Giving birth is a tough and exhausting job so I was >quite tired right afterwards, still it was a magical >moment to hold my little baby, so small but already >such nimble and strong fingers and toes. Seeing, >touching, rubbing them softly it was clear to me that >these toes want to be free, it felt wrong to wrap them >into anything and restrict their movement. It was then >that the idea came up to "not even get her used to >wearing shoes". The main motivation was to let her >experience her childhood with all senses, though I >soon noticed it has practical advantages, especially >not having to keep track of her growing feet and >constantly buying new footwear. > >We furnished our new home with soft carpets, we have a >floor heating so it's pleasant for us both to go >barefoot at home all year long. It was quite clear >that our daughter would be barefoot as well while >inside. We received a footed onesie from friends as a >gift, she didn't like wearing it much so I cut off the >feet and hemmed the fabric at the ankles so she could >go barefoot, that was better. >When going out, before she started walking on her own, >I took socks along for a while (just in case) but >found she didn't need them, her feet were warm to the >touch even during a cool breeze. > >As she learned to walk and went outside, my husband >had some reservations. It turned out he felt >vulnerable when he was outside the house and didn't >wear at least sandals. At the same time though I was >going barefoot more because I wanted to feel the world >together with my little baby girl. I also talked to >the paediatrist who gave me some warnings about >thorns, bees and broken glass, but said about the >temperature that I should just check regularly and >it'll be obvious when she's fine. > >So I let my daughter Rita decide and she decided it's >better to walk barefoot - everywhere, not just carpet >and grass, but also pavement, asphalt and gravel. Her >feet were still so soft but she had no difficulty even >on surfaces that made me wince when I tried to walk >barefoot on them! I frequently checked her feet but >she had no injury so I concluded she's fine and didn't >even need the shoes I bought once autumn arrived. > >Nowadays she's walking steadily, actually quite active >and learning to jump and climb, she's constantly >barefoot, I'll sometimes go barefoot with her during >short summer walks, my husband puts on shoes or >sandals when leaving the house. > >Walking barefoot into winter was her idea and she >surprised us with it ... I remembered my thought from >the moment she was born (don't even get her used to >shoes) so I decided not to put shoes on her against >her will. Instead she got cozy soft leg warmers >reaching to her ankles, a jacket and a woollen hat, >and while my husband and I put on our winter boots >she'll come along with little naked feet peeking out >under all her warm clothes ... at least when >temperatures are above freezing. Checking her toes >after twenty minutes is amazing, they're literally >glowing hot from inside (and she's obviously happy and >in a great mood going barefoot in the cold). >Now during these frosty days she'll only do that for a >short time though and that's a sane choice as we all >have to make sure she's not getting frostbitten.

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