Thank you so much for this story. I struggle to get my oldest to put her shoes where they belong. Well, I should say she's gotten better since she's decided to take ownership of them and keep them in her bedroom, but before it was horrible.
I was suprised at how well it worked. They are 20 now and they still take off their shoes just anywhere. A few years later when we moved into this house, I just put 2 laundry baskets by the front door and when I picked up shoes I just throw them in there because I realized I couldn't stop them from putting their shoes away. They are just really absent minded in that area. That was 10 yrs ago. The basket is still there - but it is down to 1 basket since they are away at school most of the time!