My 18 months old daughter refuses to wear boots and freaks out when we try to put them on her. I mean, not just a little cry, but a real state of panick, like she is affraid of them!!
This winter we just thought she was being difficult when we tried to put winter boots on her...She would squirm and curl up her little feet to make it impossible for us to put them on...if we insisted she'd have a fit. We just gave up and she had to spend the winter in shoes, with us carrying her everywhere we had to go. When we took her outside it was in her sled and she could not walk in the snow ( of course ). We thought she would grow out of it but the whole thing started again when spring showed up and I tried to put rubber boots on her. If she sees boots lying there, she starts screaming and runs, she won't even look at them. I also noticed that she does not like to wear shoes that will go pass her ankles, we get the same problem, she panicks and has a fit. If I thought she was just being difficult, this time, I would insist, put them on, and leave them on , crying or not...the problem is, she really looks terrified and starts shaking. Anyone has any advice or know what's going on? Some people have told me that it might be a sign that she is clostrophobic (sp?).
Another strange thing...ever since she was born, she wont let anyone hold her hands, not even me or my husband. She will reach for our thumb or another finger and hold that finger but does not like to have her whole hand held. I am starting to wonder if both things are related.

Thanks

My 18 months old daughter refuses to wear boots and freaks out when we try to put them on her. I mean, not just a little cry, but a real state of panick, like she is affraid of them!!
This winter we just thought she was being difficult when we tried to put winter boots on her...She would squirm and curl up her little feet to make it impossible for us to put them on...if we insisted she'd have a fit. We just gave up and she had to spend the winter in shoes, with us carrying her everywhere we had to go. When we took her outside it was in her sled and she could not walk in the snow ( of course ). We thought she would grow out of it but the whole thing started again when spring showed up and I tried to put rubber boots on her. If she sees boots lying there, she starts screaming and runs, she won't even look at them. I also noticed that she does not like to wear shoes that will go pass her ankles, we get the same problem, she panicks and has a fit. If I thought she was just being difficult, this time, I would insist, put them on, and leave them on , crying or not...the problem is, she really looks terrified and starts shaking. Anyone has any advice or know what's going on? Some people have told me that it might be a sign that she is clostrophobic (sp?).
Another strange thing...ever since she was born, she wont let anyone hold her hands, not even me or my husband. She will reach for our thumb or another finger and hold that finger but does not like to have her whole hand held. I am starting to wonder if both things are related.

Thanks


Wow! Gabriell! I feel for ya. I wonder if the boots hurt? Since she's a whole 18 months old she can't say hey mom, ya know it hurts when anything touches my ankles, so how about not putting those boots on me, huh? :)

But then coupled with the non hand holding thing makes me think that I'd have her pediatrician look at her just to rule out any medical problems.

Here's my other thought (yeah, I'm full of em): does she go to a sitter? If so, does the sitter watch any other children (even her own) at the same time? Could one of the kids have scared her? Could she have seen a movie or really anything on tv that could have scared her or made her afraid of boots? It sounds wierd but totally probable. My 15 yo son does stuff like that to my 5 yo son.

Hopefully, this is something she'll just outgrow. I've wanted so many times to be able to get into my kids' heads just to know why they do some of the things they do.

Good luck and keep us posted!
notjomama

I have thought about this post for awhile but have no clear answers except my older son who is ADHD has sensory Intergration issues and refused to wear shoes or socks well who am I kidding most of the time his clothes. His outer wear all had to be of certain fabric and make - his "shoes" were indian moccasins - his socks could have no seams - all his clothes were cotton - no tags - he would become combative if i tried to get him to wear anything that was not kosher. He has outgrown most of this. He is 15 now and I still have clothing issues with him - just different ones

Thank you to both of you for your input!!

Gabriell