RAPatton

"When Alex was first told he needed glasses he got a little teary. Then, at the final fitting, he became stoic trying not to let his disappointment seep through as he protested quietly about trivial things. It was not an atmosphere of joy and celebration so much as one of resignation. I tried to spin it as much as could, telling him about my first pair when I was 4 and welcoming him to the club; however, I wear contacts day to day and this stratagem had little success. We were headed to Dayton to see my parents that morning, so I secretly called ahead and requested that my father wear his glasses this day as a subliminal show of solidarity. That seemed to work, so much so that when my dad took his off, Alex wanted to take his off too. At this point Alex conceded to himself, and the world, that he could read things far away that he could not before. Soon concession snowballed into enthusiasm, as he started comparing what he could spy at a distance with and without his new spectacles." - RAPatton via Bookmarklet

I think I first got glasses at that age, was worried about being teased and called four-eyes. Do kids still do that? - Victor Ryden

I don't think anyone is going to bug him; many of his classmates already have glasses. He was just sort of sad in the way that you expect someone to get in a mid life crisis, but that has passed. Later, I also spun it as a competitive thing, and the he "beat" his brother by being the first one to get glasses. - RAPatton

+++ for parenting skills. What a sweet little story. :) - Anna Haro

RAP needs national parenting skills recognition. - Michael W. May

Ha. You just keep trying until something works. I was just struck by how sad it seemed. I had mine at 4, so I don't remember before them, although I remember the day I first wore them. My mom likes to remark it was the first time she recalls I ever pointed out a leaf or an airplane. My vision is much worse than his. Mine -14.00; his -1.75 - RAPatton

I remember seeing individual leaves from afar, that was really magical. First glasses, like 3rd grade. Had a crush on my teacher, it went away with glasses- she had moles all over her face! - anna

Anna, ha! It seems I was a really good diver as a child. Multiple flips from the high dive with perfect landings, no sweat. Got my glasses at 4. Looked down, and then did a belly flop. Never did a real dive from the high dive again. - RAPatton

I didn't get glasses until I was a young adult (19 or 20 as I recall). But leaves is what I remember too. That reminds me, I need to make an eye appt. I swear presbyopia is starting to kick in, which is amusing since I am pretty near-sighted. I'll probably need trifocals. Weeeee! :-) - Joanmarie