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Advance a few months, to last week. I'm with my ex shopping for birthday presents for our daughter, who is to turn 11 the next day.

We stop at Target... and at the front of the store, they have their 'Dollar Bin' or whatever. My ex immediatly started digging into one of the bins, saying something about this item being great for a Christmas stocking stuffer.

I realize she's sorting through reading glasses. My daughter has perfect vision, so far as I know.

I ask my ex if our daughter needs glasses to read. No, she said, she just likes them. Why? She says our daughter has wanted a pair since my ex got her first pair.

Now I'm dumbfounded. Is my ex that stupid?

As she is sorting through the reading glasses (mangnification of all sorts on there... all for a buck a pair!!), I tell her our girl has no need for glasses, and I don't think its a good idea anyway, since prolonged wearing of reading glasses by people who don't need them (especially when reading!) will result in damage to the eyes (boiled-down version).

She slapped the pair she had been looking at back into the reading glasses bin and strode off with the shopping cart, not responding to me.

Now - she's already told me that my daughter has a pair. I know I have to either covertly get rid of them, or try and reason with my 11-year old daughter (easier than with the ex, most times). I'm leaning towards the latter, obviously.

But the most troubling thing to me is that my ex would feed a young girl's desire to be 'fashionable' without a single thought to what would happen to our kid's eyesight in the long run (she loves to read).

I guess this is just a rant, because I know what to do about it. But man - I normally have mega respect my ex, but this blew me away.

I dunno. Bizarre. Like putting braces on a kid who has no need for them. Only that won't hurt their smile in the long run.

1 posted on 09/15/2006 8:43:38 PM PDT by Number57
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To: Number57

I thank God every day that my ex is my ex.


2 posted on 09/15/2006 8:45:51 PM PDT by neodad (USS Vincennes (CG-49) Freedom's Fortress)
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To: Number57

If your daughter doesn't need the glasses she could damage her eyes by wearing them. I suppose you could have a doc write up a letter to explain it to your ex.


3 posted on 09/15/2006 8:46:57 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
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To: Number57

And you are telling us this ... why?


4 posted on 09/15/2006 8:47:28 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde
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To: Number57

our 11 yr old has worn glasses since 2nd grade. he's been
begging! for contacts for a few years now. gotta hold off
a bit until he's a tad more responsible and til his eyes
are more stable (not changing as much).


8 posted on 09/15/2006 8:54:45 PM PDT by leda (Life is always what you make it!)
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To: Number57
Check the magnification of your daughter's glasses -- with any luck, they're just plain glass.

But you are right, wearing any magnification when you don't need it, will assure that you will need glasses sooner rather than later.

(You might also try waiting your daughter out -- chances are, this is a passing fancy and she'll get tired of the hassle on her own. If not, then "accidentally" misplace the things.)

9 posted on 09/15/2006 8:57:06 PM PDT by bjcintennessee (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff)
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To: Number57
I guess you need to get a pair.

Of glasses.

11 posted on 09/15/2006 8:57:52 PM PDT by ecomcon
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To: Number57

Lasix vision.


16 posted on 09/15/2006 9:03:32 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Number57

"Boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses."

That oughta work.


22 posted on 09/15/2006 9:22:54 PM PDT by Rte66
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To: Number57

I would suggest that you make your ex your ex and quit playing these games.


24 posted on 09/15/2006 9:25:18 PM PDT by elkfersupper
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To: Number57
I can still remember being 17 and thinking glasses would make me look better. I only wore them when I didn't have to read anything. They were such a nusance it wore off after a while. When I was in my later 30's and had to have glasses, I was constantly misplacing them because I didn't like to wear them.

Teenage girls do lots of things they think will help their appearance. Something new will come and the glasses will go.
26 posted on 09/16/2006 2:34:39 AM PDT by grame (The sheep follow Him because they know His voice John 10:4)
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To: Number57

Let your daughter get some plain glass glasses, no magnification. I'm sure she'll get tired of them eventually. But of course correction where there is no need for it can't be good.


27 posted on 09/16/2006 3:45:22 AM PDT by jocon307 (The Silent Majority - silent no longer)
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To: Number57; MotleyGirl70; Mr. Brightside; Larry Lucido

We're behind you, Aquaboy. Godspeed!


32 posted on 09/16/2006 4:30:57 PM PDT by Cagey
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To: Number57

Wearing glasses that are too strong will not permanently damage your daughter's eyes, notwithstanding the responses here. However, it will cause her to have headaches, dizziness, etc. So while you still have the issue to deal with, at least you can set your mind at ease WRT to eye damage.


39 posted on 09/17/2006 6:18:12 AM PDT by NittanyLion
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