You just went for an eye check-up, and just as you suspected, your child has poor vision. He will have to wear glasses for the rest of his life! For many children, getting their first eyeglasses is a life-changing moment. On the one hand, they are able to see more clearly, but on the other hand, there is a looming thought of being called a nerd and having to fit in. If not handled carefully, children can have a confidence deterrence once they start wearing prescription glasses.
One interesting thing revealed by specialists is that children do not know that they need glasses. They perceive their eyesight as being perfect and adapt to whatever eyesight they have. According to Maria Estrada, an assistant professor of pediatric ophthalmology. Children do not know that they should be seeing everything written on the board. So when they have to wear glasses, it is a totally new experience.
But now, how do you make them adapt to the new figures on their face?
Encourage them to have a say
One thing you should do is to allow your child to be involved in the whole process. Help them decide the kind of frames they want, color and shape. The good thing is that you can shop for glasses Online and let them make their preferred choice. However, you might want to nudge their choices to a certain direction or away from certain options. Just ensure that you are keeping an open mind on what they would like to have.
A good way to have your child make a choice is by having them try on a couple of frames and make them pick their favorite. You can either visit different stores or just go online. Nowadays, with the advancement in technology, there are sites that allow you to try on frames from the comfort of your home. You just head to the ‘try on virtually’ option and follow the instructions. You can either upload your child’s photo or even a video, then swipe to find the frames that work best.
Remind them that they are not alone
When it comes to wearing glasses, your child can feel out of place, especially if they are the only one in the friend group wearing them. It is, therefore, necessary to make sure that they actually know that they are not alone in this. In fact, explain to them that some of the coolest people also wear specs. You can show them that some of their favorite characters and heroes also wear glasses.
A couple on the internet caught the attention of many online fans of how well they helped their child cope with wearing glasses. Astrid Loch Wendt and Kevin Wendt fell in love on the show “Bachelor in Paradise” and went on to get married and even have children. It was very unfortunate for the couple when they realized that their firstborn had poor vision and needed to wear glasses. They had to do something to help their son cope with his “new look.”
According to Kevin, the couple wore their light blue glasses around the house for two weeks just before August got his. This helped shape the mentality that only the cool kids like mommy and daddy wear glasses. As Kevin shared on his Instagram, August did not only embrace the new look but also loved wearing the glasses. This is just a good example of how you can help your child not feel alone.
Compliment the new look
Just like adults, children want to be told that they look good. That is why your child keeps showing off the new dress that they got on Christmas. When wearing something new, compliments help your child feel more confident in their new frames. It’s interesting how children really trust their parent’s opinions.
A key thing that you should look out for with prescription glasses is that you might feel somewhat dizzy or experience a mild headache once you start wearing them. However, that’s normal. You need to help them adapt to the glasses gradually by wearing them for a few hours then taking them off. Do this a few times and they will be good to go.
Teach them to take proper care of their glasses
Glasses can only last for long with proper care. As an adult, you perfectly know that, but with children, they need to be taught exactly how to take care of them, especially when they are not being worn. This will protect the lenses and ensure that the frames do not bend. You can have your child carrying a cute carrying case with the necessary cleaning tools and let them lead the charge.
When it comes to cleaning, ensure that you are teaching them to regularly clean them with warm water and dry them with the cloth provided by your optometrist. If that is not available, then they can wear a soft T-shirt. The good thing is that children learn fast, and once they catch one, it is no longer a hustle to deal with them.
As we wrap this up, it is quite important that as a parent, you lead the charge in ensuring that your child is comfortable with their new look. Truth be told, no child wants to be called a nerd and you want them to be able to be comfortable even in the midst of teasing. If your child can see what you see, then they can adapt really quick.