Help! Toddler in glasses.

[Anonymous]

Nannies, MBs, whoever may have insight:
My 19 month old charge needs glasses and will be getting them at the end if the week. He has strabismus which causes one eye to turn in. He will have to wear the glasses AT ALL TIMES besides sleeping of course. He doesn't even like to wear hats so having glasses on his face will surely cause a lot of frustration. Anyone have experience with this? How can I make his transition easier? I have reading glasses and have been wearing them around him more often so he sees I wear them too. I also found a few books about characters in glasses and a Mr.Potato Head with glasses that we play with and I acknowledge the glasses and have my charge put them on and take them off. He seems interested in the concept but wearing them will be a different story. Any help is appreciated! Thanks a lot!

[Anonymous]

Has he worn sunglasses?

[Anonymous]

No, we've tried countless pairs because we live on the water and are always on the boat but he hates sunglasses.

[Anonymous]

I worked with little kids with hearing aids and glasses, this is what we did:

Do NOT push it too much, keep it a positive experience. Don't expect them to wear glasses all day right away. It will likely take a month or more until they are wearing them FT.

Keep the glasses/case in a special spot so the kid knows and can come ask for them, or bring them to you to put back. If they take glasses off and throw them on the floor, encourage them to return the glasses to the special spot. They can't ever get in trouble for bringing you glasses to put in special spot, or they will start hiding/losing them all over.

Start each day fresh with putting on glasses every morning at dressing time or after breakfast. This is a time that TV can be used as a babysitter, HAHA. The first week or so, every time you put them on distract them with their favorite TV show, or try sitting them on your lap to read a favorite book, or play a game that distracts them from the glasses.

Five minutes at a time is fine, just try and increase slowly but surely. If it turns into a power struggle it could go downhill quickly, and you will find the glasses being flushed down the toilet. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP!

[Anonymous]

I have a different perspective. My kid has some sensory issues, and we discovered he needed glasses. I was SURE that it was going to be a fight (he can't stand sunglasses, hats, etc). He got the glasses, and never looked back. They go on when he gets out of bed, off for shower, back on till bedtime without ANY issues. Basically, they really help him see better, and he knows it, so he doesn't fight wearing them!

Hope it works out similarly for this child....good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a different perspective. My kid has some sensory issues, and we discovered he needed glasses. I was SURE that it was going to be a fight (he can't stand sunglasses, hats, etc). He got the glasses, and never looked back. They go on when he gets out of bed, off for shower, back on till bedtime without ANY issues. Basically, they really help him see better, and he knows it, so he doesn't fight wearing them!

Hope it works out similarly for this child....good luck!

Wow, that's great!! How old is your son?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think the sooner he sees how they help him the better. For example, if he needs them for far, let him watch TV for a bit (if the parents allow that, of course!). If he needs them for close-up have him play with a small toy he loves. Good luck, and keep us posted as to what works and what doesn't!