I remember getting my first pair of eyeglasses.
I did not understand that I needed to wear them all the time. I chose a cat-eye shaped frame much like my grandmother wore...they were laughable. Literally. I was laughed at so mercilessly that I never wore them. My parents didn't make me. My eyes got worse and worse. The whole thing was a disaster.
Given that both my parents and all of my sibs need prescription eyewear, and the same is true of most of Harald's family, I fully expect that specs are in my children's future.
So, I am making an effort now to encourage my children to try on a variety of frames (not circus frames) and feel comfortable and confident while wearing eyewear. Thank you J.K. Rowling! Harry Potter has been a great gift to parents of children who require glasses.
Today, I was keeping the children occupied at the Price Club while Harald cleared the checkout with our purchases. Gary and Charlie and I were over by the optical section and the kids were experimenting.
Charlotte put on a pair of frames that were the same shape and colour as the ones I wear. I put my face beside hers and we talked about how much we looked like each other (it was scary really). I stood up to look back at the registers and see how Harald's trek was progressing and left Gareth and Charlotte to continue. By the time I returned my attention to the children, Gary had a pair of frames shaped like mine as well and they were giggling together about how much they looked like me. Then it happenned...
....Charlie took her pair of frames by the right-arm, dragged them half-way down her nose, attempted a serious and stern face, looked over the top of the specs and then said "I look like mummy when she is angry."
Again, I shake my head.
Any of you who have played cards with me and Harald will recognize that patented Michaela-move. I had not realized that Charlie had ever seen it. I wonder if she will do the same to her husband and children. Heaven help them;-)