Re: Markell Question - New Shoes

[Guest guest]

All of our usual distraction techniques have flown out the window the

past couple of weeks. Even the teeth brushing. He used to love

that, and now he wants nothing to do with it. Even giving him his

bottle, favorite toys, the remote, the cordless phone....nothing

works!

My mom gave me some mink oil, but that won't make the straps longer.

I will check the box tonight to make sure they are the new shoes.

I'm fairly sure they are. I may just have to call to see if they can

put in a longer strap because this is driving me nuts. The straps

are so short, that to get everything loose enough to slide the shoes

on, the strap comes out of the hole and I have to try to fish it

out. Big pain in the rear!

> >

> > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> The

> > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

we've

> > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

but

> > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap to

> > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> experience?

> > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> >

> > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting more

> and

> > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> know

> > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to get

> > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be so

> good

> > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> weeks

> > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> >

> > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

tighter?

> > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm also

> > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> easier.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You should be able to take them to a shoe repair shop and have new ones put on.

Angel

Re: Markell Question - New Shoes

All of our usual distraction techniques have flown out the window the

past couple of weeks. Even the teeth brushing. He used to love

that, and now he wants nothing to do with it. Even giving him his

bottle, favorite toys, the remote, the cordless phone....nothing

works!

My mom gave me some mink oil, but that won't make the straps longer.

I will check the box tonight to make sure they are the new shoes.

I'm fairly sure they are. I may just have to call to see if they can

put in a longer strap because this is driving me nuts. The straps

are so short, that to get everything loose enough to slide the shoes

on, the strap comes out of the hole and I have to try to fish it

out. Big pain in the rear!

> >

> > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> The

> > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

we've

> > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

but

> > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap to

> > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> experience?

> > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> >

> > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting more

> and

> > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> know

> > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to get

> > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be so

> good

> > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> weeks

> > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> >

> > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

tighter?

> > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm also

> > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> easier.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

One of the straps broke on Grace's last pair of shoes and I took it

to the orthotist to get replaced. The strap they made to replace it

was much shorter and it made getting her one shoe on sooo much harder

than the other with the longer strap!! Also, the new strap was thick

leather and it caused her to get a real bad red mark on the top of

her foot, that is still there.

Her recent pair had wonderful long straps but there wasn't enouth

holes cut in them. I punched holes in the straps further down and

ended up breaking one of them =( I went back to the ortho and this

time requested that they use a Markell strap instead of making

another one out of that tough leather. They used a strap from an old

pair and it works great. I also checked to make sure it was nice and

long before leaving the shop, been there done that with a short

strap, lesson learned! Bet you will be checking the straps on every

new pair he gets after going through this lol.

If you do go in to get the straps replaced (will make your life much

easier =)), ask if they have any long actual Markell straps to put on.

Hope you get it figured out and it sounds like your little guy is

going through a phase with putting the shoes on...hope it dosen't

last too long. There are nights when Grace is fussy and dosen't want

to lie down for me to get hers on either. Usually a Dora DVD works or

one of her fav toys, but they all have nights when nothing is gonna

work. I have actually had to use my foot a couple of times to hold

her down to get them on properly lol. She just has to cry it out a

bit on these nights as I am getting them on - she dosen't know what

is best for her but her mommy does =)

& Grace 16 mos

> > >

> > > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> > The

> > > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

> we've

> > > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

> but

> > > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap

to

> > > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> > experience?

> > > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> > >

> > > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting more

> > and

> > > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> > know

> > > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to

get

> > > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be so

> > good

> > > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> > weeks

> > > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> > >

> > > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

> tighter?

> > > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm

also

> > > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> > easier.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I just called Gillette and my husband is bringing the shoes over this

afternoon to get the straps fixed. He is in charge of distraction

each night when I put the shoes on, so he knows how frustrated I am.

I just remembered that I have to call him and tell him not to leave

unless those straps are at least 3/4 of an inch longer. Right now,

I'm only getting them tightened to the second hole so there is barely

any grab room at all!

You bet that next pair won't be coming home with me until I've put

the shoes on, checked the straps and made sure nothing is even a tiny

inconvenience! It is bad enough that we have to put these stupid

things on every night, but then to have problems with it - way to

add insult to injury. Last night I got so frustrated I swore and

Alekander stopped kicking and looked at me with his huge blue eyes

with the sweetest look of confusion. But he stopped kicking me, so

that was nice. I guess he figured out I meant business!

I wish videos would work for Aleksander. He's not much of a fan of

the tv, which is a blessing and a curse. If I could train my cat to

sit on the couch behind me while I put on the shoes, I bet Aleksander

would hold still. Or better yet, if I could get the cat to sit right

next to Aleksander....I'd have a bald cat, and a happy kid with

clumps of cat hair in his fists and shoes on his feet....

> > > >

> > > > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on

Thursday.

> > > The

> > > > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

> > we've

> > > > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the

others,

> > but

> > > > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap

> to

> > > > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> > > experience?

> > > > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> > > >

> > > > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > > > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting

more

> > > and

> > > > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow!

I

> > > know

> > > > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to

> get

> > > > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be

so

> > > good

> > > > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> > > weeks

> > > > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

> > tighter?

> > > > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm

> also

> > > > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> > > easier.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

put hole in very tip of the strap, and secure it in the buckle as

loose as possible when you put the shoes on. only way without it

coming out. Very irritating, yes. And as for gripping

it... well... apparently this is what we get with the straps and you

will have to just *get used to it*. Ticked me off to no end for so

long... I have crumbled and am just resigned that they simply cannot

be made longer like they used to be and this is what we get. so get

your gripper hand worked up really strong and don't even think of

using lotion before you put the shoes on. in a few months when it's

softened it'll be a bit easier. Then you get to start all over with

new shoes. :~0

Kori

At 07:14 AM 12/6/2005, you wrote:

>All of our usual distraction techniques have flown out the window the

>past couple of weeks. Even the teeth brushing. He used to love

>that, and now he wants nothing to do with it. Even giving him his

>bottle, favorite toys, the remote, the cordless phone....nothing

>works!

>

>My mom gave me some mink oil, but that won't make the straps longer.

>I will check the box tonight to make sure they are the new shoes.

>I'm fairly sure they are. I may just have to call to see if they can

>put in a longer strap because this is driving me nuts. The straps

>are so short, that to get everything loose enough to slide the shoes

>on, the strap comes out of the hole and I have to try to fish it

>out. Big pain in the rear!

>

>

> > >

> > > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> > The

> > > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

>we've

> > > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

>but

> > > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap to

> > > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> > experience?

> > > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> > >

> > > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting more

> > and

> > > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> > know

> > > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to get

> > > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be so

> > good

> > > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> > weeks

> > > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> > >

> > > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

>tighter?

> > > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm also

> > > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> > easier.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The straps are fixed! My husband brought them back to Gillette last

night and they remove them and sewed them back on an inch higher on

the shoes. I had absolutely no problems getting them on last night,

and Aleksander didn't kick me once!

Funny you mentioned lotion. We have a nightly routine for

Aleksander, bath, lotion (he has dry skin behind his one leg and in

the crease of his elbow on one arm), pj's, shoes, sleep sack,

bottle. I usually put the lotion on, and then have a tough time

putting the shoes on because my hands are all slippery! I think

tonight I'll have to have take over putting on the lotion.

You're right though, I'm sure that hasnt' been helping! Plus the

stuff we have is really greasy. Works really well to keep his skin

from drying out, but its like putting butter on your

hands....everything slips right off.

> > > >

> > > > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> > > The

> > > > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

> >we've

> > > > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

> >but

> > > > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap

to

> > > > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> > > experience?

> > > > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> > > >

> > > > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > > > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting

more

> > > and

> > > > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> > > know

> > > > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to

get

> > > > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be

so

> > > good

> > > > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> > > weeks

> > > > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

> >tighter?

> > > > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm

also

> > > > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> > > easier.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

lol, the lotion thing was just me being a smarta**! In fact, most of

that post was... I've posted about the straps, called Markell,

emailed, posted, emailed, complained, analyzed the old shoes with the

new.... still the same straps nearly 3y later. Irritates me to no

end that parents are having to modify the straps like this when they

simply could be made longer so we can actually use them. This

apparently is not important enough to change. grrr...

Kori

At 05:53 AM 12/7/2005, you wrote:

>The straps are fixed! My husband brought them back to Gillette last

>night and they remove them and sewed them back on an inch higher on

>the shoes. I had absolutely no problems getting them on last night,

>and Aleksander didn't kick me once!

>

>Funny you mentioned lotion. We have a nightly routine for

>Aleksander, bath, lotion (he has dry skin behind his one leg and in

>the crease of his elbow on one arm), pj's, shoes, sleep sack,

>bottle. I usually put the lotion on, and then have a tough time

>putting the shoes on because my hands are all slippery! I think

>tonight I'll have to have take over putting on the lotion.

>You're right though, I'm sure that hasnt' been helping! Plus the

>stuff we have is really greasy. Works really well to keep his skin

>from drying out, but its like putting butter on your

>hands....everything slips right off.

>

>

> > > > >

> > > > > I just got Aleksander his third pair of Markell's on Thursday.

> > > > The

> > > > > straps on the shoes are awfully short compared to the others

> > >we've

> > > > > gotten. It seems like they are the same length as the others,

> > >but

> > > > > since the shoes are so much bigger, there is barely any strap

>to

> > > > > grip when I try to tighten them. Anyone have a similar

> > > > experience?

> > > > > What did you do to tighten the straps?

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm having a horrible time getting them tight enough, and it

> > > > > certainly doesn't help that Aleksander is 1 and is getting

>more

> > > > and

> > > > > more stubborn every day. His latest game is Kick Mom. Ow! I

> > > > know

> > > > > he just wants to keep playing, and the 5 minutes it takes to

>get

> > > > > those shoes on is 5 minutes less of playtime. He used to be

>so

> > > > good

> > > > > about getting the shoes on, but since his birthday almost two

> > > > weeks

> > > > > ago, he's been terrorizing me.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, does anyone have any ideas how to get the straps

> > >tighter?

> > > > > I've thought of using a pliers or something like that. I'm

>also

> > > > > hoping once the leather stretches and wears in, it will get

> > > > easier.

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks!

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >