| Author | |
10 Bright Stars
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 728
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 4:25pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Ruth (also on this list) and I were talking this afternoon on my breezy front porch, and we thought a neat thread might be on how to handle all the kids shoes in a big family. We don't have a lot of shoes per child, but I for one, always seem to end up with one shoes for all of the shoes we do own for the children. We figured some creative mom out there must have come up with a good system that works. We are always searching for shoes, especially before church, even though I have made bins for each child etc. They never seem to make it there. Any help would be great.
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bridget
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2198
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 5:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have baskets in the hall for play shoes, muddy/wet boots get left in the garage and church shoes go in the bedroom closets so they won't get squished. The ONLY thing that makes the system work is for mom to constantly say, "Put your shoes in the basket/garage/closet!" And with church shoes, i follow up and check.
My main shoe problem is that the three year old discovered the box of sports shoes and his favorite thing to do is try out all those way cool shoes while we are schooling. they are every where in the bedrooms now. 
__________________
God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have a barefeet rule in the house. All shoes are lines up under the hutch here. I don't know where I'll out them when we move. Or the hutch for that matter! It's a HUGE hutch.
I have a shoe thingy that hangs from a closet hanger and holds 8 pairs of shoes in our bedroom. I'd like to buy 2 more for the coat closet and have them use that.
It is a minor marital irritant that all of the children do this without a word, but I am forever tripping over dh's shoes and losing my own. 
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angel
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My husband is obsessed with finding a solution to this problem! For right now, we throw boots in one bin and tennis shoes in the other, and nice shoes are supposed to stay in their rooms. We keep the bins in the laundry area, which is gated so the babies don't get in and make a mess. This is working much better than having all the shoes lined up against the wall, but it still requires a parent to remind them to put their shoes *in* there, and if there's mud on one shoe when it goes in the bin (say, if someone has neglected to notice that their shoes are covered in said mud when they come in the door), the mud's instantly all over the other shoes in the bin.
And for some reason, we can still always only find 3 of the necessary 4 baby shoes.
--AngelaThree Plus Two
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 6:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We go the way of muddy boots in the garage, everyday shoes near the front door (where they have been taken off when people came into the house), good shoes in bedrooms. The youngest girls have a bin under their bed where their good shoes are supposed to be kept. We also have issues involving flip-flops and all sorts of dance shoes. Despite all sorts of rules and policies, my dd11 almost went to Christmas Mass in her flip-flops -- she wasn't able to locate her good shoes and kept insisting that the flip-flops were a better option than spending lots of time looking for the real shoes!   She found the good shoes because no parent was willing to take that for an excuse!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
esperanza
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 855
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 7:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have two tall black benches with coat hooks and cubbies on top (baby shoes go there  ) The shoes go inside the bottom portion. I encourage the dc to put dress shoes directly upstairs in their closets...so they don't get squished or dirty..
One Christmas, my two yr old threw his shoe into the tree ..we found it the next day no system is perfect.
Shoe tidy up is a great chore for lil ones
 at the end of the day.
__________________
In His Peace,
Tammy Gonzalez in VA
dh-Johnny
mom to Tara-'85, Noelle-'88, Jeremy-'91, Elizabeth-'93, Emma-'96, Dominic-'99, Gabriel-'01, Elijah-03
and Jacinta-06
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 7:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, I found the answer at Costco, so I can't believe Ruth doesn't have it yet!
We bought a shoe stacker that is customizable. It snaps together for a total of 20 very large compartments. We couldn't fit the whole thing in our coat closet so we split it up. We have 12 in the shoe closet, 4 under our hall bench and 4 upright in the corner behind the front door. I have a child who believes with all his heart that his shoes belong behind the door and refused to use other shoe solutions we had come up with. So, now he has his way and we have his shoes put away!
The bins are big enough to fit two or three little people shoes in them. Even two pairs of my sandals fit in one! And my dh's dress shoes fit in one compartment instead of two like most cubbie systems.
Of course, none of this helps if you don't have a Costco. It isn't on their website. But at least you know that something like this exists.
Oh, and I am not claiming that my children now have no trouble remembering where to put the shoes that come off of their feet.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
10 Bright Stars
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 728
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 7:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
So, it sort of sounds as if mom is going to have to be involved in any system.  You mean you haven't all figured out a "magic' solution? That's what wears me out sometimes; the little things that can cause HUGE problems. (We too have had the child go to a Baptism in cowboy boots with a dress or something odd like that due to last minute shoe loss.) So, maybe it is just par for the course with little kids. I like the bin ideas and the 20 compartment idea. Now, just for a robot to go around nagging everyone like I have to do. Also, I know that laying out clothes and lining up shoes the night BEFORE Mass would probably be a logical solution for smoothing out Sunday mornings at least, but sometimes I don't have the diligence to get up and do that on a Saturday night after cleaning house all day. Maybe I could make a little recording to sound like a doorbell when we walked into the house. "Shoes in the closet, shoes in the closet." Or, buy a parrakeet, and train it to say that!!!!! I think it is having to cover so many details as a mom that overwhelms me at times, and as a admitted perfectionist, if I forget something or fail in small areas like shoe retrieval, I can start to feel bad about EVERY area of mothering. Strange, but true.
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 7:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeventhHeaven wrote:
| Also, I know that laying out clothes and lining up shoes the night BEFORE Mass would probably be a logical solution for smoothing out Sunday mornings at least, but sometimes I don't have the diligence to get up and do that on a Saturday night after cleaning house all day. |
|
|
YOU don't need the diligence. You need to only remember to say "Everyone, right now, find your Church shoes and socks/tights, and line them up at the front door!" Do this shortly before bedtime. When I do remember this, my Sundays start off so much nicer. You do need to make sure they actually do it, and set up consequences if they don't. Even the 3 yr old can handle this.
Of course, as mom, I am responsible for making sure everyone has clean clothes and underwear, but that is always easier than finding that lost shoe!
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Ruth
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 04 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5007
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 8:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
teachingmyown wrote:
Well, I found the answer at Costco, so I can't believe Ruth doesn't have it yet!
We bought a shoe stacker that is customizable. It snaps together for a total of 20 very large compartments. |
|
|
Now, how did I miss this? Is this what you have behind your front door? This is a great idea. I really like it a lot. I hope they still have them in two weeks.
God bless.
__________________
Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Ruth
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 04 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5007
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeventhHeaven wrote:
| Ruth (also on this list) and I were talking this afternoon on my breezy front porch... |
|
|
BTW, the nicest front porch in the world 
__________________
Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 8:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have two milk crates on the front verandah for boots and sneakers. Their Mass shoes go staight into their cupboards, my constant task is having to insist on the dc getting their shoes out of the car when we pull up. They shed their shoes as soon as they get in the car they can't wait till we get home to do so
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Waverley
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 12 2006
Location: Minnesota
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 476
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have to agree with Tamy that "shoe organization" is a great toddler chore. Every weekend we have chore-time where everyone does their chores. The little ones never want to be left out, so they get shoes. They take such great pride in lining up the shoes in the front hall closet.
Waverley
wife to 1, mom to 5
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 10:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We live in Mud-ville. Everyone (except company) enters from the garage because the idiot who put carpet in my home before we bought it thought that a nice neutral beige would be lovely. Its not 'loveliness' at all to enter from the garage, but it saves my carpet.
We bought a big sturdy rack at Lowe's, and I bought about 20 or so .99 dishpans and plastic shoe boxes at the discount store. In the summer, the plastic shoe boxes go into the same storage box with the gloves and hats (that's what we use them for). In the summer, each person gets two dishpans, one for sandals/tennis shoes, and one for mud boots. In the winter, the mud boots box becomes a snow boot box. Each box is labeled in sharpie with the child's name on it.
Its on the wall next to the entrance to the laundry room from the garage because there isn't room in the laundry room for it. Next to the big rack are hooks for snowpants and winter coats. The hooks hold jump ropes and hula hoops in the summer.
Sunday shoes are stored in the bedrooms.
The biggest problem I have is children who think its 'close enough' to just drop their shoes IN FRONT OF the shoe rack rather than in their bins. I check to see who is the worst offender of the moment and send that person to put ALL the shoes away, as a deterrent. I wish I could say it works well, but as everyone else has said, no system works without Mom's diligence. Still, I'm grateful that no shoes come in the house (we have a barefoot rule except for company, too).
__________________
Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
chicken lady
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2315
|
| Posted: March 23 2007 at 11:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks this thread just got me motivated enough to go through all our shoes, give all the dc a large basket, and viola.....we are organized!!! plus a large black garbage bag of throw aways Thanks for the motivation, I even managed to polish everyones Easter shoes!!!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: March 24 2007 at 9:12am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Each of my kids, even the big ones, have their own bin in the garage for their sneakers, play sandals, flip flops and boots, cleats, etc. (I have had to make adjustments for my 17 year old son whose football cleats (Mens 12!) take up his entire bin!) Dress shoes are kept in a shoe bag or closet in their room. They all know that if their shoes are found elsewhere or end up being missing when needed, they will have to deal with Mom. My five year old usually is dealing with Mom!
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JenniferS
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1049
|
| Posted: March 24 2007 at 1:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We had an extra(HA!) eight drawer dresser, so we put it in our entry/mudroom. Each family member has a drawer that they are supposed to keep shoes/mittens/hats inside. I do have to remind everyone at the end of the day. The best lesson for all of us(me included) was our German Shepherd puppy eating at least one pair of each person's shoes. Anyway...we just put this system into effect about a month ago, so we are doing pretty well. We'll see if it continues!!!
Jen
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: March 24 2007 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We don't wear shoes in the house so when we enter the house, I always prompt for them to put their shoes away. In the coat closet, I put a shelf in there for their play and their "going" shoes. Their church shoes remain in their shoeboxes (to keep neat and clean) and come out on Sundays. I used to have a problem with socks rolling around everywhere because my children never wear socks in the house even in winter (I don't know how they do it--my feet are always cold). Now, I add for them to put their socks in their shoes and then to put their shoes on the shelf. This also makes it easier to find their socks when we visit someone--since my kids never wear shoes in the house anywhere (even when they're told it's okay to).
Of course, I only have 4 so it's a bit more manageable.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Molly Smith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 669
|
| Posted: March 25 2007 at 7:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't have any answers, but I received the Home Decorators catalog in the mail yesterday and they had a TON of shoe organizers! I'm not sure I can justify the expense, although you can't put a price on a mom's sanity, right ?
__________________
Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bridget
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2198
|
| Posted: March 25 2007 at 8:15am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow, here is the one we all need! 60 pairs of shoes!
__________________
God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: How to handle all the shoes
