Choosing Glasses for Kids: Share your tips for helping children adjust to glasses - £200 voucher to be won

[BellaMumsnet]

We all know that getting the right pair of glasses for our little ones can be a big step. Whether it's their first pair or just a style upgrade, helping kids feel comfortable and confident wearing their glasses can be a journey.

How did you help your child settle into wearing glasses? Whether it's picking the right style, easing into wearing them full time, or even keeping them safe and clean - we’d love for you to share your advice.

• Share your tips and tricks on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher

Here’s what Specsavers has to say:

“We know that wearing glasses is about so much more than just being able to see properly and understand that being told you need them can be an emotional experience for children (as well as parents)! Some kids are excited about wearing glasses and others are a bit nervous. Our experts in store can offer you lots of tips and advice on helping your children adjust to wearing them to make sure they have clear, comfortable vision.”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I wear glasses so when my eldest found he couldnt see the board at school we took him to get tested.
Yes he needed glasses.

We let him chose the pair he liked and he got good advice from the optician on glasses appropriate for sports.
We did not go on a Saturday or during the usual school holidays as it’s so busy and I thought might be stressful and we looked at all the local opticians so there was no stress on having to chose from a limited selection. You do not have to buy glasses from the same optician you have your test with….shop around.

We took photos of our son in various glasses he liked and he went home to think about it. Apparently he showed his friends and they all agreed including my dc on the same pair.

Easy.
We also bought him prescription goggles for swimming. All fine.

He was just glad to be able to see properly and we didn’t make a fuss or an issue of it.

When he reached 16 we got him lenses as he couldn’t do contact sports with glasses. So he just used lenses for sports at school etc and stuck with the glasses the rest of the time.

Another son also was having issues with sight and again off we went to the opticians.
Again, no fuss by us, no issue.
Again a big sportsman and he also has lenses for that too.

I really think the best advice is to never ever make an issue of wearing glasses.
I was bullied at school ( 70s ) for wearing glasses but so many more kids wear them these days I haven’t found it to be an issue with my boys.

The last thing the child needs is to be rushed. Often there is pressure to hurry up and choose. Ask the opticians for the quietest time of day and both spend some time trying glasses on and making sure that they make the right decision.

Both my husband and I wear glasses so our son was used to seeing glasses being worn. We took both children for regular tests and eventually my son was prescribed glasses. We let him choose and we didn't make a big issue of it. Having a sturdy case and a second pair made life easy! I was determined his experience would be very different from mine as a child - my parents did not wear glasses and took a dim view of anyone who did so I was afraid to tell them I needed glasses and found ways round not seeing the board etc. When eventually (as a teenager) I told my mother I needed glasses her first comment was: "You are not going to wear them all the time are you?" and I was reminded several times when walking out the front door that I was wearing them - I didn't take them off. Thank goodness attitudes have changed these days!

We found out our DS needed glasses after the vision screening test at school. It was a bit of a shock but DS took it in his stride and loves wearing his glasses now. We let him choose the frames he wanted (even if it meant paying more for a designer frame!) and we've had no issues at all. I think wearing glasses is so common and the styles of eyewear are so wide ranging and fashionable, it's not a problem.

My tips are to if you can - get a second pair, and if your DC needs glasses most of the time also look to getting a pair of prescription sunglasses. Give them time to try on and choose their favorite frames, and if they are worried about teasing at school speak to their teacher to keep a look out (out of earshot of DC)

The themed glasses - Barbie, Marvel, and Harry Potter - are a good way of getting children to choose and keep wearing their glasses and adjust quicker if they like the frames - If you can, get a second pair in case of accidents.

Help them adjust by asking the opthalmists advise on how often to wear, show them how to look after glasses, how to fold them, how they should be positioned on the nose- so they don't get into the habit of looking over them. Show them that the case should be used to store and protect them, and tell them how clear the world will now become.

I'd help them adjust by choosing frames which are a light as possible, and as comfortable as possible - not loosing the style they would feel good wearing.

My tips to help them adjust is to give yourself plenty of time, book an appointment at half term and let them choose their own - not your choice - pick a cheap pair which you like - they won't be as likely to wear them (speaking from personal expericene from my school days )

Buy frames which they will wear - not ones you want. Encourage to look after them by folding them and putting them into their case when doing PE.

I'd ask the optician for their advice for the best frame size to fit best and prevent them looking over their glasses and not through them. I'd give plenty of time, and return after a day if they can't make up their mind on the frame style.

We helped him adjust by buying 2 styles and colours of frames - they were on offer at the time, we also made sure that they fitted well and did not drop down their nose, as the larger frames did.

Help your DC's adjust by giving them time, asking them if they have any worries, boost their confidence about changing their appearance and let them wear them at home, before wearing them for school.

let them decide which glasses to wear and I don't nag, you'll find that they adjust as the benefits outweigh the negatives puts them on. Specsavers staff were so lovely which really helped the process. Another tip be prepared for coming in from the cold to a warm room and the glasses misting up - we had a mini meltdown the first time

I would help them adjust by looking on-line and the styles before our visit, and watch a youtube video like this one

Love this idea - thanks @Britanniaa

I helped mine by giving them sticker incentives for wearing, letting them choose their own pair, and teaching them how to look after their glasses, cleaning putting lens side up when not wearing.

I think letting them choose their own frame is important. Also don't make it into too big a deal then they won't think about it too much; you definitely don't want it to be a struggle or to be forcing them to wear their glasses.
Also, shop around if you want, you don't need to choose the frame straight after the eye test!