To let 5 year old choose her own glasses frames?

[SaucyHorse]

Even though they're not really what DH and I would have chosen.

She wants ones that are pink and purple and quite rounded. I went with her to the shop and pretty much let her have free reign, but we also brought home a few other frames along with these on loan to try out. These are her first glasses and she is happy and excited about them.

If we were choosing, DP and I would pick the ones that are a more muted purple and more rectangular as we think they suit her face better. DP is frustrated with me for giving her the impression that it was completely her choice.

I was thinking that it is her face and that I want her to feel positive about her new glasses, so I'd like to just let her pick. But I do sort of see his point that maybe the frames will last a while and bright pink and purple might not be what her future self would pick. And perhaps we have some responsibility to guide her towards something that suits her face shape best? Whilst obviously still letting her have some input.

It's not like they are hideous at all, though.

Who IBU?

If they're a good fit and size I'm always happy to let my DD choose her frames, she got her first pair at 4. She's the one who wears them, and I want her to love them. If they like them I've found it makes it far more likely they'll accept wearing them.

Your DD has to wear them, let her choose.

My boys were given free rein to get their glasses. I didn't buy them, they got them on the NHS. As they changed their prescription every six months for the first couple of years I couldn't see the point in buying them, we waited till their prescription had stabilised.

They are going on the child's face, let them choose. I wouldn’t want to wear glasses I had not picked, so why should a child?

They only last a year really, even if her prescription doesn't change the opticians usually give a new pair as they will be all scratched no matter how careful she is.

I have tried to steer my DC towards what I think will suit them, but the end choice is theirs. "Mummy thinks these look lovely on you, but you get to choose" and tbh i hated the pair she choose last time... A pale pink which with her skin tone doesn't look right....she suits darker colours more. Anyway they've grown on me and I don't hate them now...lol still not what I would have chosen but she's the one who has to wear them.

Would you wear something you didn't like?

I have always let my DS choose his own glasses even when they wouldn't be my choice. You want them to love their glasses. You did right to let her choose, so pleased to hear she is excited about them :)

They won't last long anyway if she's an average 5 year old. Let her choose what she wants.

My daughter wore glasses from two, she always chose with a tiny bit of guidance (mmm maybe at two she didn’t can’t remember) but certainly by five she did.

Definitely let her choose. Although I would try and discourage character ones or she will end up like me wearing my little pony glasses aged 11 because it took me 4 years to grow out of them! There was a boy in my class who had ninja turtle glasses aged 11 for the same reason.

I agree with @Myneighboursnorlax says.

Your DD is only 5 and so I would choose for her. Let her choose when she is older.

Also wearing glasses isn't pants. Not being able to see properly is pants, whether that's solved by glasses, contacts or surgery is personal preference. Mr Rolla almost always wears lenses to the point that friends who've known him for 20 years are surprised to learn he needs them. I've tried lens a few times and didn't get on with them, I like having an array of glasses to choose from.

My son has always chosen his own. It didn't bother me really. I found he didn't have each pair for long though because he outgrew them fairly quickly. So you'll find there are plenty of opportunities to change the style in the future!

DS2 has worn glasses since 3 years old and has always chosen his own. Children's prescriptions change so often at that age he never had a pair for more than 6 months.

Let her choose. By the time she understands and cares what suits the shape of her face, she'll have gone through these and several other pairs, I expect. If she likes them and chose them, you'll get much beeter compliance with wearing them.

Mine have always been allowed to choose. At that age I highly recommend a spare pair anyway.

My dd was 6 when she got hers and l have always let her choose them.

I was so excited to chooser my first glasses when I was 7. She's five. If you want to encourage her to wear them, let her choose them.