How do you convince an 11yo boy glasses are cool??

[OrionGirl]

I think all the normal teasing advice applies--he's old enough to learn that what he thinks of himself shouldn't be based on what classmates think of him.

Beyond that, talk with the teacher about moving him to the back of the classroom. That's what did it for me--I couldn't read the board clearly, so having glasses that allowed that was a huge relief. Got rid of my headaches from squinting, too!

 

[nursie]

IMO..11 is too young for contacts anyway, and glad you know LASIK isn't appropriate either. Any kid I've seen that young with contacts has had eye infection problems. I made my kids wait until high school. Mean old lady I know..but no eye infections either.

Have you tried looking through magazines for model pics..guys of course..with glasses and showing them to him? Maybe even pop for the color change lenses..the coolness might attract him.

 

[patoloco]

Have you tried looking through magazines for model pics..guys of course..with glasses and showing them to him? Maybe even pop for the color change lenses..the coolness might attract him.

This was my first thought too.

I bolded the word "guys" just to let yo know what happens when you are not a native English speaker, tries to read quickly and confuses a vowel. I was shocked until I re-read the post.

 

[conbrio]

Use peer pressure to your advantage. Find a cute neighbor girl about 11 or 12 and ask her to tell your son that she really likes it when he wears the glasses. Make sure you ask her when he is not around and she tells him when you are not around.

 

[sumthin fishy]

This was my first thought too.

I bolded the word "guys" just to let yo know what happens when you are not a native English speaker, tries to read quickly and confuses a vowel. I was shocked until I re-read the post.

:thud: Patoloco!! that was funny as all get out!!

I like the idea of getting pictures of cool folks wearing glasses. Is there any particular music he likes, or actors, or any famous person? I thought eric clapton, but I guess he wouldnt be too cool for a 12 yo kid huh?

 

[dwayne]

If you can get him over his eye squeemishness, daily disposable contact lenses are great. Of course he will also need a back up pair of glasses to wear at home and if his eyes are itchy or whatever on some days... An 11 year old kid can handle the dailies, they require ZERO care!! All he wil have to do is carry a spare around with him, or his glasses...

Cool glasses are out there. 11-year old cool glasses? Not likely - but like everyone else said, he'll endure the teasing for a few days and then it's done with. And girls really do like the smart guy chic look!!!

 

[Slappy*McFish]

If you haven't already picked out the frames I was going to suggest getting him some bendable/flexable frames and tough scratch resistant/anti-glare lenses...if you haven't already done so. I got my first pair of glasses at about his age, now I wear contacts exclusively and haven't even owned a pair of glasses in almost 15 yrs...lol. Anyway, I went through about 2-3 pairs of glasses a year as a kid because I was so active and would always break the frames and/or lenses.

Here are some cool bendable titanium lens styles.
http://www.39dollarglasses.com/15000.html?id=hAWdhpFS

 

[hurdledude1298]

being a teen... now days he probably wont be made fun of, because it is getting very common for people to wear glasses. they might make the comment that he has them but i dont think anyone will truly make fun of him. unless they just enjoy harrassing people. Well good luck and i hope he enjoys them (some what)

 

[Hannys_Papa]

Lots of good advice in this thread.
I have been wearing glasses for the past 20 years and started when i was 5-6.

I guess looking back i must be like your son/ husband because i tried contact lenses when i was 13 (or 14) and never adjusted to them. They always bothered my eyes - i hated to put them in or take them out and at least once a day got something under them causing my eye to hurt and drive me crazy.

So in the end i accepted my fate and have been ok with it ever since. Before i tried i thought contacts were "all that" but it turned out differently.

IMO whats been said is true - i dont think kids really pick on others with glasses that much anymore.

Oh and what made it better for me was having sunglasses. Let him get some really "cool" ones made for his eye parameters - i love the fact that prescription sunglasses dont have to look any different than the "cool" ones from the mall anymore nowadays. If this hasnt been brought up yet i am sure it will lift his spirit a little.

 

[graphicdesign_r]

I like the idea of getting pictures of cool folks wearing glasses. Is there any particular music he likes, or actors, or any famous person? I thought eric clapton, but I guess he wouldnt be too cool for a 12 yo kid huh?

Harry Potter and Napolean Dynamite aren't going to fix this one.

I have a simpler idea. He's 11? Tell him (or plant a seed and have someone who wouldn't sugarcoat tell him) the glasses make him look OLDER and more SOPHISTICATED or MATURE. That might be helpful, at 11 most kids would like to be perceived as older.

Just a thought.