Why banning bespectacled animals on T-shirts is not a good idea.

Tesco have just announced that they are banning a range of clothing featuring animals wearing glasses alongside the words 'geek' and 'nerd'.  But is this decision the right thing to do?

Of course as a mother, we want to protect our children from the big, wide world, and that instinct kicks in moreso when our child has something that may make them stand out from the crowd.  I appreciate the desire to wrap our children up in cotton wool and keep them safe from hurt, but this campaign seems to be dreadfully misplaced and in my opinion, a step back from achieving acceptance for our 'different' children.

Freddy has worn glasses since he was a toddler as he has one eye that refuses to behave!  He is patched and has regular hospital appointments, so I understand what it is like to have a child who wears glasses. Thankfully, we have not experienced many negative reactions from his peers.  In fact his school friends tend to be very interested in his latest glasses designs featuring Moshi Monsters or the Mr Men.  In fact glasses have had their status as a fashion accessory escalated recently.  Teens without eye problems, opt for non-prescription eyewear and geek chic is totally en vogue.  I feel that this trend is in part fueled by the way that glasses have been featured in the mainstream as a cool logo on clothing, bags and stationery products.  Suddenly, the nightmare NHS glasses of my own youth have achieved cult status!  this is something to be celebrated.

Having giraffes or zebras wearing glasses on a T-shirt range, children are seeing spectacle wearing as something normal and fun.  Children with glasses can relate to the images and know that wearing specs is something perfectly normal.  In fact, I deliberately source items with glasses on for Freddy.  I chose his lunchbox because it featured a chimpanzee wearing glasses and I could say "He's got cool glasses just like you!"  It empowers him to see that glasses are fun, fashionable and not swept under the carpet in an attempt to deny imperfection exists.

I have in fact NOT bought items because they DIDN'T feature glasses.  For example I was going to buy little figurines for Christmas to hang on the tree.  Each figurine would represent each family member.  But all the little boy figurines clearly had 20/20 vision and not a single pair of glasses was in sight in any of the versions available.  Buying a figurine that was not a depiction of my son's true image seemed to imply that he was not as good as the little boys that these figurines were intended to depict.  If figurine makers didn't think glasses were a cool accessory, then I did not want their product on my Christmas tree.  Glasses are a part of my boy and are not something I want to deny.  I don't want them to be conspicuously absent from products in the shops.  I want glasses wearers to be hailed loudly and proudly!  I want glasses wearers represented not hidden.

If children are exposed to this imagery, surely they will be more accepting when they see a peer who needs vision correction.  Surely, therefore, the removal of such iconic imagery on clothing will only serve to mystify the reality of wearing glasses and make bespectacled kids stand out more, setting them up for being singled out because they are not like everybody else?

It is a fact that some kids will tease others for a multitude of reasons, or for no reason at all.  That's an unfortunate fact of life.  I was teased for being tall (What's the weather like up there?)  My husband was teased for his surname (Do you want fries with that?)  It's a part of life.  I'd rather try and give my children the tools to cope with this, instead of shielding them from it.  Empowering them with self-respect, self-belief, self-confidence and an acceptance of diversity is a better tool against being bullied than taking on retail giants in an attempt to remove anything you deem offensive.

I will continue to be a fan of the glasses logo in fashion.  I will buy geek tops for Freddy to wear.  He looks cool in them! We're not ashamed or embarrassed by Fred's specs.  Glasses wearing is not a stigma.  Their image should not be removed as if it is offensive.  That is counterproductive.  The words geek and nerd are no longer considered insults.  Thankfully the days of calling kids "four eyes" or "Mr Magoo" are well and truly over. I want being a 'geek' to be considered a positive thing, for every bespectacled, studious glasses wearer out there! Let's not make those words once again be considered as negative slurs due to their absence in the mainstream. Let's embrace that geek is chic and give our kids who need glasses the chance to be cool, embraced by our culture and represented in the world of fashion!

Vision Correction Options for Children

"I wrote this review while participating in an influencer campaign by Mumsnet on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Out of my five children, one has perfect vision, one wears glasses for reading and three wear corrective glasses all of the time.  Needless to say, opticians, eyesight and the issues surrounding wearing glasses have been a major part of our family life.

Myopia (or shortsightedness) affects 1 in 6 of the world's population, typically developing by the age of eight and worsening throughout the teenage years.  This has been typical of the condition in my eldest son Joe, now 25 and my daughter Ella who is 17.  Both permanently wear glasses to correct their vision. Four year old  Freddy has Amblyopia in his left eye and has worn glasses since he was two years old.

Some research has been done on the subject of Parent’s & Children’s Views & Attitudes About Vision Correction by Mumsnet on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, manufacturer of ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses.

When a child becomes a teenager, they reach a very critical and vulnerable time in their life where they face multiple challenges: they are tested physically, academically, personally and socially.  The issue of vision correction can add to their problems.  Wearing glasses can mean teens find it difficult to take part in sporting activities. Taking them off to participate means they can't see what they are doing, which can lead to further embarrassment. Some may feel insecure about their physical appearance and their social acceptance by their peers. This insecurity can lead to youngsters not wearing their glasses at school, which can adversely affect their academic performance.  Sometimes wearing glasses is not the best option for a youngster who needs vision correction.

Studies show that for some children, wearing contact lenses can have benefits that go beyond simply correcting a child's vision and can offer significant benefits to some children.  According to research, children who wear contact lenses generally feel better about their physical appearance, athletic ability and social acceptance compared with children who wear glasses. These children also report greater comfort with peer perception and higher satisfaction when engaging in social activities. Contact lenses can even help to improve academic confidence in some instances.

We have contemplated the use of contact lenses with our older children, in particular Ella. Ella's last pair of glasses had small, rectangular lenses which meant she'd constantly look over the top of them, disturbing her vision.  This lead to her getting some quite severe headaches. This was a real problem associated with glasses wearing that we hadn't anticipated. Thankfully her new specs have stopped this problem, but it's definitely worth considering the pros and cons of all the available options for vision correction.  As a young woman, image is very important. Although I think she looks beautiful in her new designer glasses, there may be times when she could feel more confident without them.  On nights out, for special events or on holiday, the freedom of being glasses-free could be a real benefit.

As Ella is soon to embark of the challenges of leaving home to go to university, this is the time for us to seriously think about the option of contact lenses as a possible permanent solution for vision correction. Anything that can make life easier and boost a teenager's confidence during the more vulnerable times in their life is something worth considering.

I've always believed that contact lenses are something solely for adults, but according to studies, children as young as 8 years old are capable of wearing them and caring for them.  Age is not the sole factor in deciding whether a child is a good candidate for contacts, but being young doesn't rule them out from consideration.  I was really surprised by this, particularly as this bodes well for Freddy in the future who has one perfectly good eye and one which needs vision correction.  It could mean that when he is older he may be able to go glasses free and enjoy sports and physical activities unhindered, by wearing a single contact lens in his bad eye. For a physically active child this could be extremely liberating, giving them the opportunity to join in without the worry of breaking their glasses.  It is definitely something that I will be asking about in a few years time.

Both glasses and contact lenses are good options for people who need vision correction. Parents should talk to their eye care professional about what vision correction options are best for their child.  To locate an Eye Care Professional in your area, visit the “Find an Optician” tab at www.acuvue.co.uk.  

Serafino Artisan Glasses from Ozeri

I was recently sent a pair of Serafino Artisan Glasses from Ozeri to try out.  Now, I love enjoying a home made Tassimo Mocha in the evening, and using a fancy glass makes it feel so much more special!  The 12 oz glasses are double walled which keeps the drink hot and your hands cool.  The design is lovely and the curved shape makes the glasses really nice to hold and drink from.  My Serafino Artisan Glass is now my Mocha cup of choice and I really love it.  

Product Specifications

•Serafino ArtisanTM Series 12 oz Double Wall Glasses – (Available in 2-pack boxes).
•Made of durable, heat resistant, mouth-blown borosilicate glass of the finest quality.
•Designed to keep hands cool even with the hottest drinks, and free of condensation with chilled beverages.
•Patent-pending double wall design suspends drinks within an inner wall, creating an engaging optical effect.
•Innovative designs are great for coffee, cappuccinos, hot or iced teas, cocktails and much more.
•Each glass features a wraparound contour that provides a natural aesthetic grip.
•Microwave and freezer safe

The Serafino Artisan Glasses are available from Amazon, currently for sale for £18.95 + p&p
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ozeri-Serafino-Double-Beverage-Glasses/dp/B0069VC3AE

They would make a great gift for a special occasion and come well packaged in a box.

We Went To Specsavers!

Four out of my five children are glasses wearers so I was very pleased to be asked to do a review for Specsavers. I never take the health of my children's eyes for granted and make sure they are regularly tested.  Ella and Kizzy were both due their annual eye test so the timing was perfect.  We made an appointment for after school and college and went to our local branch.  It's a very friendly branch and the kids always feel comfortable and relaxed.  We received a courtesy call the day before our appointment to remind us of the time and to check that we'd be there.  

The eye exam is very thorough, consisting of some pre-tests before going into the examination room with the optician.  At sixteen, Ella goes in on her own, but I accompanied Kizzy.  I am always so interested in how, by switching the lenses in the funny glasses, an optician is able to ascertain an exact prescription!  It's all very clever.  As their paternal grandad has oval retinas and is registered blind, the optician is always very thorough when checking inside the girls' eyes and ensured us that they were both fine.  Everything was clearly explained and our questions were answered.  We were also assured that we could come back anytime if either of the girls started experiencing any problems, rather than waiting for their next annual check up.

Once their prescriptions were printed out, the girls got to do the fun part - pick new glasses!  They both get the cost of their glasses subsidised by the NHS.  Kizzy looked at the Teenage range, and Ella got to choose a pair from the designer range as part of our review.

Ably assisted by a very helpful and patient member of staff, Ella looked through the racks of frames from designers such as Red or Dead, Gok Wan, Karen Millen, Jasper Conran, Osiris, FCUK and new this month  Emporio Armani.    Once upon a time, the choice when it came to glasses was very limited.  Today the frames are more of a fashion accessory with so many lovely styles and colours to pick from. The fashionable  frames bear the distinctive designer branding and make a clear style statement.  Many of the designer frames are exclusive to Specsavers.  There is a 2-for-1 offer with prices from £99.

The assistant was very knowledgeable and took account of Ella's head size and shape to recommend styles.  Together they picked out a shortlist of four frames to choose from.  In the end she picked a pair by Karen Millen.  They were adjusted for a perfect fit over her ears and across her nose.  We were offered some optional extras and chose an anti-glare finish as Ella does a lot of work on computers and will be learning to drive soon!  I love how getting a good, stylish pair of glasses boosts the girls' confidence.

We made an appointment to pick up the finished glasses for two weeks time.  They are very accommodating as we had to fit the appointment in around Ella's college hours and we were being very indecisive trying to remember her end of term timetable! In the end we actually had to phone back and change the time, but again this was no problem.

When the time came for the girls to collect their new glasses, they were ready for them straight away.  The fit was checked and the girls were asked to read the letters on the eye test chart to confirm that they could see clearly.

Both girls are delighted with their new glasses and I was delighted by the service we received at Specsavers.

Ella wears Karen Millen!

Kizzy wears Red or Dead 

To find your nearest Specsavers store and to check out their range of designer frames including the new Emporio Armani glasses visit www.specsavers.co.uk.

The Gallery...Extreme Close Up!

Freddy's glasses have become a big part of our life.  They are not proving to be an easy addition to the family.  Repairs, adjustments, running battles and spec throwing are now commonplace occurrences. But we persevere in hope that we can 'fix' the sight in his left eye.  They are the subject of my Gallery picture, shot in extreme close-up, a reminder of this phase in my little boy's life.  

Baking with The Little Ones #Project 52/Week 10

Baking Biccies.

Sampling the dough.

Two Peas in a Pod!

Our First Glasses Disaster

It was inevitable that it was going to happen at some point, and today it did.  One month to the day since Freddy got his glasses.  For four weeks his Mr Bump specs have withstood the rigours of being launched across the room, hidden under the sofa and being driven over by toy cars.  But this morning Freddy finally got the better of them and managed to rip one of the arms clean off.  It wasn't done in temper, he just bent it back and snap!

Thankfully, there is a Specsavers in our local town and so we rang up and headed in.  The staff were fabulous and replaced the frames while we waited.  Freddy entertained all the old folk who were waiting for eye tests and was adorable singing and smiling at his audience of pensioners.

With his glasses fixed, and put on for him by the very lovely optician, Freddy proudly kept them on as we walked back to the car.  I let him pick a treat from Gregg's and he chose a Spiky Mikey, which for anyone who is not a connoisseur of Gregg's pies and cakes, is a star shaped, chocolate coated shortbread with Smarties for eyes.  Freddy deserved a treat for being so well behaved and lovely.

He kept his glasses on all the way home and I thought that maybe this was a turning point in our battle to correct Fred's vision.  However, the second he was home he removed them and flung them across the living room!

I hope this pair survive longer than the originals and that Fred soon understands why we keep encouraging him to wear them.  The battle continues!

Reasons To Be Cheerful

I can't believe we are racing towards the end of another week.  Time to take stock again and give thanks for all the good bits!
1:  The sun shining today gave us a taste of Springtime, which I hope will soon be upon us for real.  The sunshine always makes things feel better!  It was the first day that I didn't crank the heating up in the car on the school run.  It'll soon be air con time :)
2:  Kizzy was announced as the Face of  Princess Galt.  We attended an official photoshoot where some absolutely stunning professional photos were taken.  She was an absolute star and did her mummy (and Galt Toys) proud!
3:  Operation De-Clutter went off to a flying start with a car boot sale held at the local sports hall.  We did really well making over £100 on the kids' old toys and other bits and bobs that we'd sorted out.  The thing that I liked best was seeing our pre-loved toys re-housed with new boys and girls.  Lots of children were made very happy getting something new to play with.  It is recycling at its very best!Plus it takes us one step further towards our ultimate goal of moving house.  We've seen some amazing homes in our price range in a lovely little town close to Northampton.  It makes me believe that it is an achievable plan!
4:  Freddy's new glasses are proving a bit of a challenge, but he is getting better at keeping them on with every passing hour.  This makes me think they must be doing some good and getting his eye working.  He looks so cute in them too!

 

How To Make a Toddler Wear Glasses

Yesterday we picked up Freddy's new glasses!  The trendy Mr Bump blue frames are very smart and stylish, a million miles away from the old NHS specs from my childhood.  They  make Freddy look very cute.

The right lens is just clear glass and I was shocked that the left lens was quite so strong and magnified.  My poor little man has soldiered on with really poor vision in that eye.  It is remarkable how well children can adapt to something that an adult would struggle with and moan about!

At first Fred was not interested in putting them on.  He liked it when his toys put them on, when we put them on and even when the apple he had for his mid-morning snack put them on.  But he was not impressed having to look through them himself.  Ella, Kizzy, Nana and Grandad all put on their glasses to show Freddy how cool they looked, but he was still reluctant to wear them.  I'm sure they must make his poor eye feel strained as it tries to start working again.  It must seem very odd to a 2 year old who doesn't fully understand what it's all about.

Not Quite Right

As ever, my lovely virtual friends on Facebook offered me solutions, ideas and advice and just discussing the problem really helped.  Thank you all for your much appreciated support :)

I've discovered that doing an activity with him that requires close-up vision is the best way to get him to comply.  I tell him that if he looks through the 'magic windows' he'll see things better.  I get him to look at things and describe colours and shapes to focus his eyes.  We did a whole hour playing with Duplo in his glasses this morning which is a real positive step.  Lots of praise and encouragement is the key...along with lots of distraction.  He is getting less opposed to them and the odd bribe reward seems to work well too.  I'm not going to make a huge deal out of it as I don't want him to become spectacle-phobic!  So I'm being relaxed and giving him breaks and not pressuring him.  Afterall it's early days!

My New Glasses

His next appointment is for six weeks time.  I really hope it shows that his left eye has had its vision kick-started.  We've caught it early and time is on our side.  Eyesight is such a valuable thing and I''l do all I can to get Freddy's problem resolved....even resorting to Jelly Tot rewards for keeping his specs on!