Do your kids play barefoot in the backyard?

[Anonymous]

Why or why not? We’ve historically had a semi-strict “wear sneakers or sandals” policy but are wondering whether to relax it.

[Anonymous]

No. I don’t want to deal with puncture wounds.

[Anonymous]

Not as a general rule, but when we've had birthday parties with bouncy castles in the backyard, some kids have run around with no shoes or socks on.

[Anonymous]

No, solely because we live in a house with light carpeting. Once we replace with floors, they will be allowed.

[Anonymous]

Of course! Shoes aren’t good for developing feet.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and have never thought twice about it.

[Anonymous]

worms no

[Anonymous]

Yes, we let our kid go barefoot. He has special needs and his therapist recommended he walk barefoot outside for the sensory experiences. We only let him do it on our own property, though.

[Anonymous]

I totally would except we have the worst insects in our yard - they’re called blister beetles and they secrete a toxin that causes welts like poison ivy if they come into contact with your skin. They are also fatal if swallowed. So we definitely do shoes and watch our toddler like a hawk to make sure nothing goes in his mouth out there. But if we didn’t have these death beetles we would love to be barefoot!

[Anonymous]

Our kids do. It’s really good for you.

[Anonymous]

Our kids go barefoot occasionally. We don’t worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are barefoot. I ran around barefoot all the time as a kid. It’s healthy.

[Anonymous]

We make our kids wear shoes because we live in Florida. Things are less likely to kill you that way.

[Anonymous]

Our backyard is an alley full of homeless people and broken glass so ... no.

[Anonymous]

No. Rabbits hop —and presumably poop - in our backyard. Once I saw a pile of deer poop. Our kids wear shoes.