I was eight years old when I got my first pair of glasses — and I’ve been wearing them every day since then.
At first, I hated them. They itched my nose. They felt weird on my ears. I took them off every chance I got — for example I wouldn’t wear them out onto the playground for recess. But one day I was playing outside and noticed how clear everything looked. I had forgotten to take my glasses off! That’s when I realized how helpful they are.
If your child is fighting against the idea of glasses, here are some tips that can help.
- Let your child pick out frames that he or she likes. You’ve got a better chance of getting your child to wear a pair of glasses she likes! I remember getting a pair of “loaner” frames from the doctor while my own glasses were being made. Oh how I hated them!
- Give lots of compliments on how great the frames look… but be sincere.
- Don’t nag your child about wearing them. All the nagging in the world didn’t get me to wear mine; I had to realize on my own that they actually were helping me.
- Do praise your child when they choose to wear their glasses.
- Point out heroes, family members, and famous people who wear glasses.
- Try working your way up to wearing the glasses all day. Start with short periods to get used to the sensation of the frames on your face and the limits of your vision.
- Suggest that your child wear her glasses for enjoyable activities, like going to the movies or reading a book. (Bring them along even if your child refuses to wear them initially — if you have them on hand, she can change her mind later!)
- Help make glasses part of the daily routine. Find a place of honor for them on the nightstand.
Contact lenses or surgical correction may be an option eventually, but the above tips can help your child get used to (if not love) wearing glasses.