Glasses and growing up: teens’ challenge, parents’ role.
⏱️ 03:50 READING TIME
It can happen out of the blue: the old frame breaks, or it’s simply time for a new one.
You walk into the optician’s store as usual, but this time something is different.
In front of the mirror, your 12-, 13- or 14-year-old looks at their old glasses and says:
“I’m not wearing these. I’m not a kid anymore.”
👓 Glasses are not just glasses
Kids grow up suddenly.
And when it happens, every detail — even glasses — becomes part of their identity. In childhood, glasses are chosen together: durability, comfort, maybe a playful color. But around 12–13, everything changes. The body changes. The face changes. But above all, the way they see themselves, and want to be seen, changes. Glasses are no longer just a necessity. They become a symbol.
A silent message:
“Look at me. This is who I am.”
⚠️ The problem? What they want doesn’t always suit them
When they ask for “grown-up glasses”, they often imagine serious designs in neutral colors, or metal frames in gold or silver. They’ve seen them on an older sibling, a favorite influencer or a celebrity.
The issue? On a young face those frames look oversized, heavy, sometimes uncomfortable. And that’s where the tension begins: they insist, you don’t want them wearing glasses that keep slipping down, and the optician may only have childish alternatives.
The result?
A standoff, frayed nerves, and the dangerous idea that “wearing glasses” is a punishment.
🧠 How to handle this moment
Here are some practical tips for parents who want to turn conflict into constructive dialogue:
💬 1. Listen before correcting
Avoid harsh phrases like:
- “They don’t suit you!”
- “You’re too young for those!”
Instead, try:
“I get that you want something that feels more mature, cool or stylish. Let’s find a pair together that you really like and that also fits you well, okay?”
🧍♂️ 2. Let them see themselves
Take a photo with the “adult” frame and then with one that’s more suitable. Sometimes seeing the difference from the outside makes it clear.
🎯 3. Involve them in the choice (but guide the process)
This is not the time to impose, but not to let go completely either.
Make it a shared journey: they bring the taste, you bring the experience.
🌈 4. Look for opticians with teen collections
Not every store is prepared with a proper selection. Some only offer small kids’ or adult models.
But there are collections designed exactly for this age: sober, modern, light, and proportioned for a young face.
❤️ 5. Explain why this is an important moment
Help them see that wanting change is normal — it’s a beautiful sign of growing up.
And finding the right glasses — not childish, not too adult — can be the first step toward self-confidence and self-acceptance.
✨ The good news? There are glasses made just for this age
Today, some brands and opticians are offering models designed for those “in between”.
Because every stage of growth deserves to be lived with freedom, confidence and style. Especially when it comes to glasses.
In conclusion
When your child says “I don’t want kids’ glasses anymore”, they’re saying much more.
They’re really telling you:
“I’m changing. Help me find something that reflects who I am.”
And you can be there.
Not to choose for them, but to guide them towards the right choice — the one that makes them feel good every time they look in the mirror.
