Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

We have just been told that ds1 will have to wear an eye patch every day, looking for tips to make it seem fun for him

19 replies

Overrun · 25/02/2008 15:31

He will have to wear it for 3 hours every day. So I have decided that it would be better for him to do the 3 hours in school during the week.
They are in attractive colours and designs, which has mollified him a bit, but he is still not keen
I have made several references to pirates, can any one think of any other ways of presenting this to him in a positive light?

OP posts:

Rachmumoftwo · 25/02/2008 15:41

I could also only think of Pirates- what if you have one too? You could go seafaring together, dress up and look for treasure. This won't always be practical though, and I wish you luck. When I had to have my eye covered as a child I'm afraid I was an absolute nightmare!

ArrietyClock · 25/02/2008 15:43

Bribery?
(A pet parrot?!)

PotPourri · 25/02/2008 15:48

DD wears one. We have pictures that she puts them on at the end of the day (childminder or nursery send it home in the pack once worn), and it builds up. With the multicoloured ones you get a great effect. Teh eye doctor can give you some - dragon/princess etc. But we make our own and make is something that DD is interested in.

Pirates is definately the best seller though. Get lots of books, play games where you treasure hunt, sail to sea, learn to fight with a sword etc. Talk in the crazy voices etc - it's fun. DH is great at the accents and gets the kids in real giggling fits playing pirates.

DD2 soemtimes sneaks on a patch from the change bag (on the correct eye and everything) and is not happy when I take it off her! It is possible to make it desirable with a bit of effort.

Other option is a sticker chart, where he gets a sticker if he wears his patch that day, and a treat at the end of hte week if he has them all there or something. I haven't used that one yet, but DD is onlyjust 3

hanaflower · 25/02/2008 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cazcaz · 25/02/2008 16:00

I would second the sticker chart suggestion. My ds1 had to wear one for several hours a day for three years and the sticker chart was the only incentive that worked when he reached school age.
We would then take it in with us to show the opthalmologist at his next appointment. Good luck!

Oblomov · 25/02/2008 16:15

I like hanaflowers idea. You say at school, so I am assuming post 5.
We have never had any trouble with ds, ( patching since 1.5, now 4) but then he liked the fact it made him special and got upset when he had to stop patching one time - ha ha.
Choice could be good, let him choose the pattern ? order it online,t ehn let him choose which one on the day.

Original poster

Overrun · 25/02/2008 16:55

Thanks for all your replies. I will use some of those ideas, to make it more fun. I have explained why he needs the patches, as I agree with the poster who suggested that. He is just 5 and old enough to understand even if it doesn't make him any more keen.
I hope his class mates don't tease him. He has only just started to wear glasses, and there have been a few mean comments about that

OP posts:

Merlin · 25/02/2008 16:58

Is it not practical for him to wear the patch after school for 3 hrs - therefore avoiding any possible teasing?

This is what I did with DS1 - although he wears his glasses to school and has never been taunted luckily.

Furball · 25/02/2008 17:07

i was under the impression the 3 hours doesn't have to be all in one go. So when ds had to have his for 5 hours we did 2 hours before school (we're up at 6.30) then 3 hours afterwards. I just felt mean to have to send him to school with it.

Original poster

Overrun · 25/02/2008 17:10

Merlin, I will do that if he encounters problems, but must admit that I think the school will make sure that he wears it, where as with us at home we might have more of a battle at weekends.
Furball, I didn't think to ask if it was continuous but got that impression. I must check.

OP posts:

cazcaz · 25/02/2008 17:29

You have my sympathies overrun! we had a major battle on our hands at weekends but school days were much easier. At that age they think their teacher is the font of all knowledge and if they say to wear the patch they probably will with minimal fuss.
You may have already done this so sorry if patronising, but, children that need to wear patches often don't get great vision when patched even when wearing the glasses, it is therefore worthwhile getting the school to print any words/ letters he has to learn in a bigger font to prevent him struggling.
Sitting at the front is another one to remember and probably not patched for P.E.
Again sorry if patronising.

Original poster

Overrun · 25/02/2008 21:12

Not patronising at all cazcaz, I agree with you that he will probably wear his patch more willingly for his teacher. Will discuss with them about larger fonts and PE as well

OP posts:

lucykate · 02/03/2008 15:50

we do patching with dd, she's 6 and has worn glasses since she was 18 months. we do an hour before school, and an hour after school.

i know this is girly, and your ds will hate it, but i made dd one of these, if you are that way inclined, you could have a go at making a boys version, if not, i don't mind having a go if you let me know what kind of things he's into, they don't take long to make.

which reminds me, dd hasn't done any patching yet today!

weepingfig · 02/03/2008 16:04

We were told that game boys were a great thing to use when wearing a patch. Our optician said that 20 mins patching on a game boy was as effective as 2 hours of general time.

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 02/03/2008 16:08

I think Master Cod has/ has had a patch, keep an eye out (pardon the pun) for Cod.

crimplene · 02/03/2008 16:24

We're not patching but this page has a few links including the one to the UK email list and some other resources about where to buy different types of patch.

DualCycloneCod · 02/03/2008 17:39

hi overrun,
yes we were 3 or maybe 4 hours every day
we did it inthe morning he minute he got up on the baiss that he was in a good mood and it became standard to do it
the first tiem he cired and said" but i cant see" and that was it. he was very good abotu it for a 3 year old.
everyone was very cool about it, he liekd tot ake it off himself.

eveyone mentiuons pirates but imo the best thign was to tlel him at his age( ie school) that it MAY reduce the likelihood of having to wear glasses( ti did for ds3)

DualCycloneCod · 02/03/2008 17:40

also dont enter into any discussion o anything = just sya that that si the case
you wear one if he is reluctant.

VanillaPumpkin · 02/03/2008 18:04

I had to wear a patch as a child and there is no way I could have done any school work with it on as my eyesight was so poor. I would just check with the opthalmologist that he sight is not that bad if you see what I mean. I am sure you have already but just wanted to mention it. I hated wearing my patch as I could hardly see , but I still did it. I do think things are better now though .

Flip