OP you want her to have well-made shoes with lots of support, then you will have to pay for them. Something like this would work - slip on, lots of good support, will stand the test of time.

http://www.zappos.com/sperry-top-sider-ivyfish-linen-oat

Anonymous wrote:I buy nice flats at Nordstrom that have cushioning, but don't want to spend that for kids' shoes.

You'll have to spend more if you have preferences about what sorts of shoes she wears, and you still want her to have some say in the matter, too. (And, by the way, if she's wearing women's sizes, you'll be paying women's shoe prices.)

I agree with setting aside some time (and money!) to spend somewhere like DSW. Try on a bunch of shoes, and buy a couple of pairs and you and she both like. Then prepare to go back whenever her feet grow and do it all over again.

Word to the wise as you approach teen years: Pick your battles.

Soon enough, DD will probably want all sorts of expensive shoes. I would let her experience the consequences of flip flops -- most likely cold feet as it gets into fall. Then give her a budget and parameters (for example, no high heels, etc.), take her to DSW, and let her pick her own shoes.

How much walking is your daughter doing at school, anyway? It's not like she's hiking at school, or touring Italy at school.

I never wore/wear tennis shoes either, except for sports, so I'm with your daughter on that one. Agree with a pp about taking her to DSW or someplace that has lots of shoes. Tell her she has to wear something other than flip flops to school but let her choose what that will be.

I think you're going to have to let her pick out something else that she likes and buy those, even if they are more than $50, or let her wear the flip flops. If she has her own money you might be able to say "I know you want x shoes, I"ll contribute $50 if you can do the rest."

It's really not appropriate for your 11 yr old daughter to be taking off her shoes at school. Nobody wants to smell that.

My 12 yr old alternates betweens Vans and Nikes. Those pink shoes you linked to seem REALLY immature. As in, appropriate for a first grader.

This is the OP. Thanks for all of these great ideas.

I had forgotten to mention that, part of what she likes about flip flops is that she can easily slip them on and off. I like flats for the same reason. I buy nice flats at Nordstrom that have cushioning, but don't want to spend that for kids' shoes. (I notice that most of the nice Mary Janes for girls are $50, which is fine.)

Our pediatrician mentioned that one of her patients went on vacation to Italy and walked all over touring in her flip flops. She ended up in severe pain by the end of the trip. I think my DD got the message that flip flops are OK for short walks or lounging around, but that they shouldn't be worn for much walking.

I wish DD would wear tennis shoes to school every day, but she's not willing to do that (even though she is in sports).

Anonymous wrote:Classic chuck taylors are popular right now.

This. Or loafers/boat shoes.

what sort of flip flops are we walking here? The thin rubber ones you buy at Old Navy? Personally, I love wearing my thick soled flip flops as often as possible. Sad fall weather is approaching and will have to switch back to proper shoes to keep my toes warm.

Agree with your daughter on those Merrells. No way.

I second the recommendation to take her to DSW and let her figure out what she wants. She's the one who has to wear the shoes.

Soon it will be too cold to wear flip flops anyways.

I agree with your daughter though. I hate tennis shoes. I hate that I can't slip them on and they're bulky. I currently wear ballet flats (with insoles/arch support) or boots.

What about taking her to a DSW or some place that she can try on and see lots of shoes?

Classic chuck taylors are popular right now.

What's wrong with sneakers?

My 11-year-old daughter likes to wear flip flops to school. (She changes to tennis shoes for PE.)

This is a source of tension because I think flip flops should generally be worn to the pool, but not to school. I would like her to wear a shoe with arch support.

I was reading about how kids who frequently wear flip flops are getting injured more frequently in sports because they are doing a lot of walking while wearing shoes without support.

So I'm looking for some ideas for cute shoes for my 11-year-old DD that have arch support.

I love these Merrell Mary Jane's, but my DD does not like these:

http://www.rei.com/product/881220/merrell-mimosa-sparkle-mary-jane-shoes-kids-2014-closeout

I'm thinking maybe some flats with really good support?

She wears a size 6 in Women's.

Thanks for any thoughts you may have!