As a Houston podiatrist, I'm constantly looking at the shoes people wear, and let me tell you...what I see gives me lots of job security. Especially when I see children who are walking so poorly, they're not really walking on their shoes.
I see a lot of this. Kids with feet so flat...so collapsed...that they're walking on the SIDE of their shoes, not touching the sole at all. As much as it looks painful for the child to walk, you'd be surprised that the child is probably not feeling much pain. After all, these are the only feet they've ever known so, while it is an uncomfortable walking position, for them, it's "normal." The kids would know differently if they were able to 'try on' your feet, but we can't do that (yet!) 
Kids are also very resilient. They are much more flexible and pliable, which makes their feet adapt. Initially, your child may not even complain about his or her feet. Instead, you may notice your child avoids walking or running. While shopping, you may find him sitting on the floor when he just can't walk anymore. She also may be tripping a lot when she runs.
When you look at the bottom of your child's shoe, you may see the sole more worn down on the great toe and arch side. In severe cases, you may not even see much wear on the shoe, but rather wear and tearing on the side of the shoe. I've seen kids with feet so flat that they are practically walking on the side of their feet.
Take a look at how your son or daughter walks. If it doesn't look right, it probably isn't! Don't wait for your child to complain. The earlier we can intervene to correct the way your child walks, whether it be with a prefabricated insole, custom orthotic, sports ankle-foot orthotic, or, in extreme cases, foot surgery, the better your child will feel and more active he or she will be for all the years to come.
So, now that I've given you a reason to score some orthotics this Thanksgiving (sorry, they don't come with Black Friday sales...but you CAN use your HSA funds!) let's check out a way to make your holiday table a bit more special. And you can do it while celebrating your child's perfect little feet!
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Foot Craft
If you want to make your Thanksgiving table complete this year, why not forego the typical turkey crafts and try this Footprint Scarecrow from Sweet and Lovely Crafts? I think it could also make for great place card fodder!
Supplies
- Green and Cream colored paint
- Crayola markers
- White cardstock
Directions
- Paint your child’s heel and toes with the cream color and paint the rest of his or her foot green.
- Stamp your child’s foot print on a piece of cardstock. Let it dry.
- Now, draw on the details with the markers. Use a dark brown marker to draw the post that goes from the feet into the ground. Then use that same marker to draw the hat. Next, take an orange marker to draw the arms and a light brown one to draw the broom handle. Finally, use light and dark yellow marker to draw all of the straw coming out of the scarecrow, and add a little face and any other details you like to the scarecrow’s body.
