Parents of Kids Who Wear Glasses - I need help.....?

Question

My five year old son has to wear glasses as of this summer. I let him pick them out and he was very excited about doing that but he won't wear them. Today I tried to get him to wear them to Kindergarten class and he flipped out when we got to school - kicking and screaming.

Any advice on how to get him to feel comfortable wearing them? He tells me he looks stupid in them and he's just a very sensitive kid.

I wear glasses all the time - I tried telling him that my eyes are very bad because I didn't wear mine when I was young, etc. Have enlisted the teacher for help too just want some more ideas - thanks for all the great suggestions.

except the spanking - I don't do that.

Answer 1

My daughter was required to wear glasses at 2.5 years of age. The ONLY way I got her to put them on was to threaten her - yep - I told her I could not read any books to her unless she put her glasses on. The solved the problem in a matter of seconds. I never had to tell her to put them on again.
I suggest you find something that he does (activity, be it reading, playing ball, computer games) and do the same.

BTW - I had to wear glasses in Kgarten - i refused - my mom didn't push it w/ me and it was MY loss - of my eyesight. It caused a lot of problems with my eyesight that I am now dealing with. Don't let this happen to your son - you need to be the parent and demand it. Don't wuss out like my mom did...

Answer 2

My daughter has worn glasses since she was 1.5 and cannot see without them so we have never had that problem, she even slept in them for the first month.

Anyway, what is he into, maybe sports. Whatever it is he likes find some people in that field that wear glasses and show him. Famous people, star athletes, etc. It may make him feel better. Glasses are very in style now days, have you told him people wear them just for fashion? I know a five yr old boy may not care about that, but it is not the same as years ago when kids were looked down of for wearing glasses.

Also have him wear them downtown with you, every time we go shopping someone tells my daughter they like her glasses, maybe if he hears it from a few strangers he will feel better.

My daughter wanted contacts for a while and we asked her eye doctor and they said yes kids can wear them if the parents want to go to all the hassle of it, it may be an option if you are willing to work with him. My husband also wears glasses and contacts and started at a young age and was teased horribly, so we did think about it considering she will always wear glasses, but then she decided she would keep her glasses.

Answer 3

I think it's pretty cute that kids are so self-conscious about wearing glasses, because it's SO not a big deal anymore. If his class does Show & Tell, the teacher should convince him to show off his glasses. She can easily persuade kinders to think something is cool with the right wording (oh, the power we teachers have!). He can even show the class how to properly clean them and protect them in their case (which will be good practice for him, reinforcing the whole thing). Anytime you see someone wearing cool glasses, point it out. ADULTS were buying Harry Potter glasses when they first came out, and designer frames are becoming more of an accessory than a necessity for many people. You should also take him back to get an adjustment on the frames. Being around all the people who specialize in glasses might help get him excited about it too (especially if you tell them he doesn't want to wear them). If they have a lab where they make the glasses, ask if he could get a tour (wearing safety goggles of course) to see how they're made. Anything to make it exciting and novel again.

Answer 4

He probably is just sensitive. Maybe someone made fun of him... or maybe not. After all, it is tough feeling different. When I wore glasses in school I didn't like it because it was a hassle. Sticky fingers make them dirty and hard to see through, on the playground they'd get foggy or fall off. Try to make sure he has everything he needs to care for them easily at all times. Ask him if a new hair cut would fit with the glasses better... If he doesn't need them in gym or on the playground send him a case so that he can leave them in his desk at playtime when he will feel most self-conscious. It's hard to get kids to understand that vision is more important than looking a certain way.

Answer 5

When my son got his glasses at the age of 2, he had a hard time wearing them so his dr. prescribed eye drops that relaxed his eyes so he saw the best with his glasses on. That really helped him accept his glasses and we've never had a problem after that. My son has strabismus, so maybe the eye drops are only for that condition, but you can always ask the dr. if something like that could help. I won't kid you - it was harder than Hades getting the drops in his eyes, but after a few days of them, he didn't need them anymore.

Have you tried rewarding him for wearing the glasses for a period of time? If he won't wear them to school, start with wearing them at home while he does an activity he likes, then reward him. Slowly build up to wearing them at school.....

Answer 6

I assume from your avatar that you wear glasses as well? I assume you set a good example for your son by wearing your glasses like you should. Other than that, are you sure his prescription is correct? Maybe he sees worse when wearing them if it is not. Also, are the frames adjusted so they are comfortable? Are the lenses light weight plastic? And lastly, is there anyone in his class who could be making fun of him because of his glasses? I'd talk to his teacher and see if she has any suggestions as well since she's probably seen this situation before in her classroom. Teachers can be a real ally.

Answer 7

Next time you have to buy glass you pick them out. You know what would look the best on him. No matter how many times he flips out you are going to have to demand that he puts them on everyday before he leaves the house and they do not come off until it is bed time. This is is the bad part of being a mother.

Answer 8

Amazing how some people are so quick to judge and point the finger at the parent as if they're to blame for a kid being a kid isn't it? *shakes head*....Anyway, I just asked a question about my 6 yr old daughter refusing to learn to tie her shoes and I get the feeling you're having the same emotions I was having. Just wanting them to do it and not make a fuss about something so small (we all feel that way sometimes, it's part of being a parent). I wish I could offer some advice on how to encourage your children to do things that are in their best interest while they're kicking and screaming the entire way. The only thing I ~can~ offer is encouragement from one mom to another and tell you that you're doing a good job. It's clear from your question that you love him - don't you wish our kids could see that all the time? Keep your chin up and take pride in the fact that you're doing your part in raising a fantastic part of this world! :)

Answer 9

At his age he's probably young enough to believe "all the really smart people wear glasses". This might get him to wear them long enough to where "everybody" will see him, get used to him wearing them, get the jokes (if any) out of their systems, and he should be okay. I've had to wear glasses everyday since I was 14 and I heard all the jokes when I was in school. I've been called everything from "four eyes" to "Poindexter". Didn't really bother me, though, because I could actually SEE who was ribbing me.

Answer 10

Have an older brother/sister or aunt/uncle who he looks up to come over and start talking in front of him but not to him about how cool glasses are and how kids really want glasses but not everyone can get them...maybe that will work. If kids are making fun of him just tell him they are jealous cause they can't have them.