To Dirty Up The New White Shoes Outside Or Not? That Is The Question

[SunshineMama]

It's a beautiful, amazing sunny day. We are going outside yay!!!

DCB, who is 1, is not walking yet (still a crawler). His parents brought him over in an adorable little outfit today, with some brand new, flawless white shoes.

What would you do?

Let him play and just not even worry about him getting dirty? After all, it is in my contract to come appropriately dressed for the day, and that we will go outside, but I still really dont want to do that.

I will probably just get out the superyard and put a blanket under it. But I would like to sit on my deck, which is completely fenced around, and let him crawl around there. His shoes will probably get scuffed and dirty though.

I try to be sensitive to the parents feelings, and I know that first time parents, especially, dont always think proactively about their kids getting messy, etc. I know that sending kids home dirty is a major and common complaint of daycare parents, so I am trying to avoid that. I aways have their faces and hands clean and wiped, diaper changed, and their hair combed before mom and dad come.

I have not been doing this for very long though- I am sure some of you daycare veterans are laughing at this question !

[Solandia]

I would put old athletic socks over the shoes and let him crawl around. I do that in the spring & fall and pull the socks all the way up their legs. It keeps the worst of the dirt/mud/grass stains off pants & shoes. Brilliant of me, eh?

[DCMom]

I would put old athletic socks over the shoes and let him crawl around. I do that in the spring & fall and pull the socks all the way up their legs. It keeps the worst of the dirt/mud/grass stains off pants & shoes. Brilliant of me, eh?

It is! I love it, thanks for the idea

[SunshineMama]

Genius! I love it! Thanks!

[itlw8]

socks what a great idea

[permanentvacation]

He's a child in a daycare which the parents know take the children outside for playtime. The parents should dress the children in appropriate attire for the typical day's activities. If the parent put a nice outfit on the child and sent them to daycare, then they should know the child will be wearing that nice outfit outside to play. You should not have to stress yourself over changing the child's outfit for what the parents are aware that you do with the children.

[littlemissmuffet]

Haha, though the socks idea is genius, I have never given a second thought to my daycare kiddos getting dirty. This is daycare - kids come here to PLAY, play can get messy. Don't send them in clothes you don't want potentially stained and dirtied (in my contract). Not my problem. I would be very upset if a parent got mad at me because a child's shoes or clothes got dirty and I most certainly would never apologize for it.

[Soupyszoo]

Haha, though the socks idea is genius, I have never given a second thought to my daycare kiddos getting dirty. This is daycare - kids come here to PLAY, play can get messy. Don't send them in clothes you don't want potentially stained and dirtied (in my contract). Not my problem. I would be very upset if a parent got mad at me because a child's shoes or clothes got dirty and I most certainly would never apologize for it.

I agree! and if they don't like it I bet they never send him in nice clothes again! Live and learn!

[megansmommy]

definately take him outside to play. My policy handbook suggests that they dress in old clothes, as we get dirty. We paint, we use markers, glue, we play in the dirt and mud, we eat messy food, we let the kids assist in cooking the food, which can be messy. If a parent chooses to send their child in nice clothes, they need to know that they may get dirty. It's part of being a child and exploring the world. Nice clothes are not for day to day wear, and should be saved for special occasions.

[SD DaycareMOM]

It is snow pants and boots weather here, but depending on how warm it is where you are, I would either just pull the shoes off and let him go in socks, or do the socks-over-the-top thing, if you have some handy. That's just the way I am - if it's easy, I'll do it for the parents as a courtesy, but I would definately also let mom or dad know at pick-up what you did and remind them to not send "good" clothes/shoes to daycare.

This post really makes me think of the book "Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes" -- if you've never read it before, you should - it's a GREAT story! (You can look it up on YouTube, too.)

[WImom]

love the sock idea! Yeah, I ponder the snow pants or no snow pants most days. There's no snow but muddy out in some places.

If it was me I'd probably just put the blanket down or do the sock idea. I'd also say something to the parents.

[Heidi]

I would say, do the socks thing for today, and tell mom about it tonight. She may say "oh, thanks sooo much", or she may say "oh, you didn't have to worry".

I would also ask her for a couple pairs of dark sweats to put on over his other clothes for when you go out. THen his "real" clothes won't get dirty.

I did loose a young todder once due to this. (many years ago). Every day, she was wearing pink or white. Every day, I said "you know, we play outside". Finally, one day, instead of keeping her in the stroller I let her go for it, and HER PANTS GOT GRASS STAINS ON THEM! GASP!~

Ya, the next day they called and said "grandma" was taking care of her now...:: whatever