How to Help Your Child Feel Confident Wearing Their New Glasses

A child finding out that they need to start wearing glasses can be very upsetting for them. While many adults end up needing glasses, there isn’t always a large percentage of people who need to wear them from a young age. Your child may be very worried about this news. As a parent, you can take some of the steps that are necessary to help your child feel more confident with their new specs.

Let Them Choose

When your child first receives their prescription from a licensed eye doctor, there may be some requirements when it comes to selecting a pair of frames or lenses. In general, though, most kids will be able to pick out a pair of frames that they like based on how they look. There are many different colors, materials and styles available. You should let your child pick what they want as long as they are practical. If you want to compromise, you can find a location that has a deal on two pairs of glasses. You can pick one formal pair for your child, and your child can pick a fun pair that they like wearing.

They Are Not Alone

At a younger age, children who wear glasses don’t always need to wear them all the time. Because of this, it can be hard for your child to discern between who needs glasses and who doesn’t. Help your child understand that there are plenty of kids their age who need glasses just like they do. Children who wear glasses are far from alone—as much as 25 percent of school-aged children have problems with their vision. Some children’s classmates need them all the time, some wear them on occasion for distance, and other kids use them for reading. There’s no shame in needing glasses to see properly. To bring this point home, here are two recommended books to read with your child.

Share Your Experience With Them

If you wear glasses yourself, you can share this experience with your child. Talk to them about when you first found out that you needed glasses. You can listen to their concerns and help to put their mind at ease. Talk to them about when they’re older that contacts may be a solution. Above all, help your child to understand that glasses can be a positive thing and can help them to express their sense of style.

Needing to wear glasses isn’t the end of the world, even though your child might feel like it is. Make sure that you respect their opinion on the matter but help them to understand that this is the best choice for their vision. They might not want to wear their glasses, so this is something you should be prepared to address in the coming months.

Here’s another article you might like: How to Help Your Child Adjust Socially