2.5 Y/o Won't Walk Outside!

yes, this is a phase. & with many of my daycare families through the years, I've had parents tell me similar stories about this & with grass/sand/etc.

What I have found is that this is not an issue at daycare....simply at home with the parents. Little ones will flip & twist you as often as they can. So, in addition to all of the other good ideas posted, I'd like to add one more thought: instead of catering to her by buying new boots....what would happen if you took her outside & let her see YOU splashing & having fun in the wetness? What would happen if you just cut loose & used fun/humor to pop her out of this phase? Instead of babying her? You could even "wash" the boots in the tub to show her how absolutely o.k. it is to get wet!

I fully realize many Moms are cringing & thinking WTH is wrong with this woman! But, it works. When little ones complain about water on their shirt, a fly on the wall, mud on their shoes.....I just clap & say "hooray! Let's look at it". I then become a Drama Queen & point out all kinds of cool details.....it gets the kids interested, it diffuses the Boohoo Baby, & the kids gain a little knowlege in the process.

Fun beats Finicky....everytime!

Do you have an umbrella stroller? That'd work for us, even in the winter.

Are her boots actual rainboots, or just winter boots? You might try getting rain boots, and letting her pick them out. They make really cute ones, and my boys get excited on days they get to wear theirs.

Well, she's STILL well behaved. How well do you like it when your shoes are wet? I hate the feeling of wet shoes. I hate the feeling of walking in rain and snow. If I could figure out a way never to do it again, I would.

Get her rain boots.

Well in my State, kids at that age often do NOT like, getting any sand on their feet at the beach... but yet they like to go to the beach.
And they freak out when sand gets on their feet and in between their toes.

Its a phase.
Not a biggie.

Just get her another pair of cheap rain shoes or boots from like a drugstore, to go out in the rain with.
Explain to her that each shoe has their own "job." Her special one, is special. You know that. But she needs to choose one for getting wet! Because it is fun, and that is the shoe's job. To get wet and protect her feet.
I remember my own boots when I was a kid. It was SO special. I even wore it when it was hot and sunny out.
But then, I also had those cheap ones from the local drugstore, that I did LOVE wearing when it rained and hopped around in it in the rain. So much fun.

It is VERY common, at this age... to be like that. It is a phase.
Remember that. Your daughter is normal. Certain things are special and a kid wants to keep it like new. Not getting it dirty and they treasure it.
So my tip would be to, get another pair of boots, not anything expensive... and explain to your daughter that that pair of boots, is to get wet... that is its "job."
Don't battle about it.
It is not worth it.

Explain that those are special shoes for the outside and bring her regular sneakers in a bag? My DD was timid about grass for a long time (she'd pull her legs up if you tried to sit her down in it). I made it a point to show her that *I* didn't care and she eventually got over it. You can also bring a towel for the car to wipe the boots when she gets in.

This is her first winter walking, right? So the weather is freaking her out for a good reason. Imagine being in her shoes (no pun intended). This weather is just totally crazy for her. She was carried through it all last year so it's a big change. It's driving you crazy, but it's a valid concern from her point of view.

I wonder if you can hit Goodwill or something and have her pick out "protector boots", or something like that - boots she can stick her feet in with shoes and pull out when she's in the car. Or some kind of slip on shoe she can wear to the car and easily change into the "nice" shoes when you get where you're going? Or plastic shopping bags with rubber bands to protect her shoes for the short walk? Involve her in picking how to protect her shoes and make herself feel better about the weather and her feet.

My son acted the same way at that age. He did not like snow getting on his boots and said they were dirty and would get upset. Don't worry, it will pass. Let her try to have fun in the snow, but don't push it. Give her a reward for walking herself. 35 lbs at 2 1/2?? WOW...big girl!

Maybe you could come up with an idea to get her special " outside shoes" . Make a production out of shopping for them or decorate them. Make a special spot for them.