Young children with glasses and activities

[plantsitter]

Both my DDs, 4 & 6 have recently been prescribed glasses to wear all the time for astigmatism. Their dad wore glasses early too so it's not too surprising. They get them in a week.

I'm starting to worry about whether it will stop them doing active stuff like soft play, sports and dancing (which they're both keen on). I was looking to see how kids with glasses managed at soft play today but there weren't any! Does everyone take them off?

Has anybody got any practical advice or reassurance?

Thanks in advance

My ds started wearing glasses at 4, I was really worried at first too but you get used to it. He only takes them off for swimming and keeps them on for all other activities.

I have bought a rubber strap thing off ebay, they do them in loads of colours, for about £3. The first few times at soft play I put it on, but don't bother anymore. So long as they're a good fit, they do stay on.

He used to love dressing up and wearing masks, that is the only thing we have to limit now really, but I have bought fancy dress hats to wear instead. Also has to take them off for forward rolls!

Don't worry they adapt to things much easier than we do.

Thanks twolefttoes I'm sure you're right!

My DS has worn glasses since he was about 4, he's now 7. He never stops running around. He has certainly worn them to soft play many times without problems. He plays a lot of football, and again, it hasn't caused any real issues. We do however spend a lot of time at the opticians getting them fixed, as they frequently get dropped, and trodden on or similar.

DS is 9 and has sports goggles for football. A few eyebrows were raised initially but no one takes much notice now.

Hi DD2 got glasses at almost 4 and DS2 got his when he had just turned 2. The only thing they take them off for is swimming and forward rolls as Twole says, they stay on for everything else.

This is all great to hear thank you.m

My DS and DD have worn glasses since they were two - very long sighted. It hasn't stopped them doing anything but I would recommend buying one of those mini screwdrivers from the opticians (I'm fantastic at repairs now!) and be prepared for damage to the glasses at some stage ...

My son had Flexon frames for ages as they are quite robust. Both have had contacts since 8 and have had no trouble with them at all.

You can also get prescription goggles for them for swimming if that would help.

Good tip about the screwdrivers thanks. Orchard can I ask why your kids got contacts? I hate myself for saying this but I'm worried that their gorgeous faces will be different! I KNOW kids with glasses are gorgeous too, and I wear glasses these days so I definitely have nothing against them but do you get used to it quickly? (Sorry am being so shallow emoji).

My DS is very long sighted, but not wearing his glasses has never been a problem during sport etc. But neither has keeping glasses on, but I think I used to take them off him in soft play, etc.

Yes, kids do look different with glasses on. At first, it was like I was taking another little DC to town/nursery but you soon get used to it.

I was surprised how quickly ds looked 'wrong' when not wearing them. It's not shallow, don't beat yourself up. I was quite upset to begin with, he just looked so different, I missed his face as it was, but you very quickly get used to it.

I bought a great booked called Arlo Wears Glasses for ds, also have a look at the website Four Eyes, great tips on there, I printed out the glasses rules and stuck them on the fridge. Just about using two hands, not letting people try them on, if they fall off then everyone freezes etc.

Oh and get some glasses wipes, they will get filthy.

OP - my DC got contacts at 8 because they are soooo long sighted that they can't see very well if they take their glasses off so playing sport, particularly rugby, would have been impossible.

I too was upset when I was told they would have to wear glasses and I worried about what they would look like (it was all National Health frames when I was at school) but this all coincided with the launch of Harry Potter and they've never had any problems at all. They are in their late teens now and it seems many more children wear glasses now than they used to do. There are some really nice frames about. One thing that annoys me though is seeing children whose glasses haven't been fitted properly and just slide to the end of their nose!

However, when your DC take their glasses off at night make sure they are on a bedside table as we sat on a number that had been abandoned on the bed!

DS is 8 and takes his off, it's a requirement at most activities and soft plays to be honest. Never seems to bother him but he hates wearing them anyway.

little four eyes website

My DS started wearing glasses at 3 for long sightedness and a squint. He always took them off for soft play. He has
prescription sunglasses and swimming goggles. He also started wearing contacts for sport at 9. Now he is a fashion conscious 12 yo and loves his glasses as a fashion accessory. As pp have said, get used to spending a lot of time at the opticians getting the glasses mended or adjusted!

Thanks for all this - I'll head off to that website.