How to Prepare Your Child for the First Pair of Glasses
When my 9-year-old son first mentioned that he couldn’t read the basketball score at the bottom of the screen, my heart sank a bit. Since I have worn glasses and contact lenses almost all my life – I received my first pair of glasses at the same age as my son now – I thought that he would probably need them someday. But I was hoping that in the future he will have at least a few more years without limits.
However, as we talked about it more, I found out that he also had problems viewing the whiteboard in his class, as they rearranged the desks and pushed him further away from it. He could not do his math lessons without getting up from his seat several times to take a closer look. His head was starting to hurt. It was definitely time for his first pair of glasses.
So first accept the change yourself
If you had glasses as a child, you might, like me, have some feelings when you realize that your child is about to join the club. I’ve never made fun of wearing glasses (in fact, I distinctly remember how excited I was to get my first pair), but it’s a big and probably constant change. But they are going to get their cues from us on how to feel about it, so show your most positive face.
(And if you have to, pretend until you get it.)
Talk about what to expect at your appointment
If this is their first time going to an optometrist or ophthalmologist, they may not know what to expect. The eyes are a sensitive part of the body, and some of these machines can look quite intimidating.
If you are due to have an annual eye exam, you may want to consider making an appointment just before or after your child so they can see how you do the exam first. This gives you and your doctor the opportunity to discuss what each machine measures and why those measurements are important.
I also talked a lot with my son about the optometrist himself, about how helpful and friendly he is. It seemed that his nerves were a little calmed by the realization that we were going to someone whom I had known and loved for many years.
Indicate role models
If your child is one of the first in their class or group of friends to receive points, they may feel a little shy about it. But once you start pointing out how many of their beloved relatives, neighbors, actors, athletes, and even fictional characters (Harry Potter!) Also wear glasses, they begin to notice how common they are. And that they can actually look pretty damn cool.
Make it fun
Choosing new glasses should be fun. So many styles and colors to try! Pick a few, let them do a little runway show among the rows of glasses, or video chat with a friend or grandparent to get a few oohs and aaahs of choice (or to narrow the circle).
You will want to consider which types of glasses would best suit your child’s lifestyle, depending on how active they are or how durable you want them to be. But if at all possible, follow their lead in style. Maybe light green glasses aren’t exactly what you meant, but if they like them, you might be better off going with the flow. They will wear them every day, and the transition to everyday wear will be a little smoother if they have a pair that they really like.
Teach them to take care of them (but don’t make them nervous)
Kids and glasses really aren’t the best combination. Children are rude and glasses are fragile. Children are forgetful, and glasses are quite easy to miss and forget, especially if they are not yet accustomed to wearing them all the time. You don’t want them to think that it’s okay to handle glasses carelessly, but they also need to know that accidents happen and if their glasses are broken or lost – and they WILL be broken or lost at some point – you will understand. that solution together.
(Be sure to ask about any guarantees when buying glasses so you know what level of repair or replacement will be covered. And ask about any purchase, get one suggestion they may have; it’s good to have a spare pair.)
A couple of easy ways to take care of your glasses is to set up a cleaning order – for example, a cleaning spray with a soft, clean cloth every morning plus a few pre-moistened hand-washing wipes. -go.
Teach them to take off their glasses and put them on with both hands so that their arms don’t stretch too far. And let this be your new mantra: “On the face or on the case!”