It isn’t uncommon for children to dislike wearing glasses, to forget to wear their glasses, or to be careless with their glasses (accidentally losing or breaking them). Transitioning to something new is almost always difficult, no matter what your age. Because good vision is crucial for your child’s health, safety, and education, you need to help them feel comfortable and confident in their glasses. Use the tips below if you’re wondering how to get your child to wear glasses – and remember that it may take some time!
How to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses
Use positive encouragement.
From the very start, aim to make it a positive experience. Play up the fact that glasses are a fun, new accessory that not every child gets to wear, and don’t express any worry. For example, many parents fear that other children will tease their child for wearing glasses, but it’s best not to pass this worry onto your child. (Plus, the stigma of wearing glasses has faded over the years. Many children think of them as hip and stylish, as opposed to nerdy.) When you go shopping for glasses, tell your child how great they look in their frames. Perhaps surprisingly, many children are elated that they get to wear glasses!
Point out admirable people who wear glasses.
If your child is worried about looking different or ugly, point out celebrities, fictional characters, family members, and friends (anyone your child admires) who wear glasses. For example, are they a fan of Harry Potter? Do they know that stars like Tom Holland, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Cole Sprouse, Emma Watson, and Zendaya sometimes wear glasses? Even basketball legend Lebron James wears glasses! So if your child claims glasses aren’t cool, you can pull out plenty of evidence to the contrary.
Explain the benefits of glasses.
Especially if your child is very young and doesn’t fully understand the point of glasses, explain that glasses are a helpful tool that will help them see better. Tell them that glasses will help them with their favorite hobbies, like watching TV, reading, sports, playing video games, and playing board games. And of course, explain that glasses will help them in school, making it easier for them to see the board in class and do their homework.
Have fun when you’re shopping for frames.
You want to make the shopping experience fun and positive, so allow for plenty of time so that you aren’t rushed. In addition, try to ensure that your child is in a good mood by making sure they get plenty of rest the night before and perhaps giving them a fun snack on the ride over. At the store, help your child try on a variety of frames: classic, bold, adventurous, quirky, etc. Explore all the different shapes, colors, patterns, and embellishments available, and don’t be afraid to try on some glasses yourself (showing your child that you enjoy accessorizing with glasses too).
Let your child choose their frames.
Although we encourage you to offer advice and guidance to your child (and rely on the expertise of the store’s consultants), let your child choose their own glasses. Not only will this instill a sense of ownership (making your child less likely to lose or break their glasses through carelessness), but also it will help your child feel proud of their new glasses.
Ensure the frames fit well.
Before you leave the store, make sure that the frames properly fit your child’s face so that they’re comfortable to wear. The staff will help with this, checking that the glasses don’t slip or pinch your child’s face. Remember that your child may need to have the glasses adjusted periodically to ensure that they continue to fit as your child grows.
Start slow.
If your child is very reluctant, only require them to wear their glasses for short stretches at the start, and then gradually increase the increments of time. During the time your child is wearing their glasses, engage in an enjoyable activity that will help your child perceive the benefits of better vision. For example, you could read together, watch TV, or play a board game. When your child chooses to wear their glasses without any prompting, praise them. And when your child doesn’t wear their glasses, try to avoid nagging or making it into a battle. Stay positive and be patient.
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Finally, if you’re wondering how to get your child to wear glasses, remember to think about your child’s unique temperament and personality. Use the tips that feel useful to you and disregard the others. In the end, all that matters is that your child is happy and comfortable wearing their new glasses.
Are you looking for a new optometrist for your family? If you live near southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to [email protected], or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location).