Parenting

Monday, November 30, 2009

Three-year-old Suri Cruise wears heels

Matrix Photos

Matrix Photos

Many young girls enjoy playing dress up. Some even enjoy getting dolled up to go out. Much to my mother's chagrin, I was one of those little ladies who loved ruffles and lace and pink, and on special occasions and holidays was allowed to wear my favorite fancy ensembles. These involved a puffy princess dress, lace gloves and a pink patent leather handbag with matching flats. Read: FLATS.

Both Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have insisted that their three-year-old daughter Suri refuses to wear pants or even coats when the temperatures drop, She only likes skirts and dresses. Kids can be fussy and have strange habits, so we'll buy that. But when your toddler wants to own and wear heels--as she did this week on Newbury Street in Boston--is where parents must draw the line.

I never had the plastic fantasy dress-up heels, but I remember trying on my mom's way-too-big pumps and lipstick and presenting myself to her post-makeover. She'd laugh and say, "OK, now go take it off."

For some odd reason, Tom and Katie let Suri run the show. If she doesn't want to wear a coat she doesn't have to. If she wants to walk around all day in miniature heels, she's allowed to. And not only that, but judging by all the paparazzi photos that emerged from her high-heeled stroll this week, dressing this way is encouraged. Children of stars grow up quickly, and perhaps little Suri just wants to be dressed up pretty like her mom. But a three year old also likes to run, jump, and play. How can you do such things in heels? If grown women get tired pounding pavement with her foot unnaturally arched, how can a wee tot feel comfortable? This isn't about wearing a dress up costume outdoors, it's also a comfort and function issue. Walking around a city in heels when you're three seems so wrong. Also something to think about: If she's wearing heels already, what will she be wearing when she's 10?

Do you think a little girl should be able to dictate what she wears out, or should her parents have control?
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Comments 1-10 of 117
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:44am PDT

    So what???? My 3 year old wore heels. Not high heels, more of a kitten heel, but it was FINE. As long as she can walk in them, what's the problem?

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  • Cynthia B's Avatar
    Posted by Cynthia B Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:47am PDT

    I think she looks cute!

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  • promise's Avatar
    Posted by promise Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:52am PDT

    are you suri's parent? no, so why do you care? its their kid, and if they want her to turn out to be a prissy girl who's main concern is vanity then so be it!

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  • Melissa R's Avatar
    Posted by Melissa R Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:59am PDT

    I REALLY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE CHILD WEARING HEELS CAUSE THEY ARE NOT THAT HIGH TO BEGIN WITH SO ITS NOT LIKE HER FEET ARE ARCHED OR ANYTHING. PLUS SHE LOOKS SO ADORABLE

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  • lizzy's Avatar
    Posted by lizzy Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:00pm PDT

    sha she is cute! children aren't going to wear things that are uncomfortable, they'll put up a fight...if thats what she wants to wear, let her:) i remember always having my purse (neatly organized, i have OCD) and my plastic high heels and prissy clothes, i felt so ladylike back then

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  • sarah's Avatar
    Posted by sarah Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:03pm PDT

    i agree! kids should be allowed to dress up, but parents are supposed to set guidelines on whats appropriate. what is up with allowing her to call the shots on when to wear a coat or not?!

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  • Katie B's Avatar
    Posted by Katie B Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:04pm PDT

    I didn't even know they made heels that small...

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  • Erica W's Avatar
    Posted by Erica W Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:05pm PDT

    If you looked at all of the pictures from that outing, Suri was also wearing little slip on converse like sneakers. So it's not like she was on her feet all day in stilettos.

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  • Mammina's Avatar
    Posted by Mammina Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:05pm PDT

    I agree she looks cute, but I will never allow my 3 year old to wear heels when we go shopping or for an outing. First of all toddlers are clumsy by nature and high heels are not really stable, secondly she can wear all the high heels she wants when she grows up. But that's just my opinion. Having said that I want to add, that when I was a little girl I loved high heels and still do, and was always angry at my mum for not allowing me to go out wearing them but looking back I know she did the right thing.

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  • Super Abuelita's Avatar
    Posted by Super Abuelita Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:05pm PDT

    I hurt myself over a year ago. I had to be in a wheelchair for about 3 months. Walking is something I learned was taken for granted. I am now walking again, but I am so much more careful about the shoes that I wear.

    But the point here is who is the parent and who is the child. When my grandson goes to the bus stop, he BETTER have his jacket on in cold weather. Why?

    Because he is NOT the adult. I am.

    My oldest child who is almost 34 has more respect for me than I see in many children and parent relationships.

    It is not because she is an adult either. She was taught who was the adult. It was not her.

    I would wear my mom's lipstick and clothes as a child when we played "grown up." But I never at the age of three or 17 would try to pull that on my mother.

    My mom didn't raise a fool!!

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