My eye

One day you will realise that you actually have very little control over how your children will turn out, what they will do, and if their lives will be as perfect as you envisioned. In the course of daily life, other factors often play a much bigger role in shaping them, and you end up picking up the pieces.

Today, one of our big fears unfolded before our eyes; Nigel would have to begin wearing glasses.

I'm not going to say it's a terrible horrible thing as I know many other children, and even yours (if you are reading this) might be wearing them too. As part and parcel of the modern world where children are exposed to all kinds of material, electronic and paper, which encourage them to strain their pupils, I think it is rather common these days to see youngsters wearing glasses. In fact, we have close friends with spectacled kids. Lasik would definitely be an option when they get older, and it would be significantly more advanced and cheaper - but that's for the future.

But the emotional negativity, as we come to terms that Nigel would probably have to wear glasses every day from now on, is something that we've yet to accept. Seeing our little boy having to put on a pair just to see clearly was not what we were prepared for, and it will take a while for us to adjust to this reality. However, as the optician said, it has to be done or both his eyes will deteriorate (it's only his right eye now with the degrees). It's that, or risk his eye becoming lazy. Inside, my heart is breaking.

Nigel is still our little perfect boy - the cute baby, handsome toddler and now mischievous 8 year old who will not follow instructions. We have to appreciate what God throws at us, both the good and the not so good, and be always grateful.

So from now on, it's carrot/apple juices, brighter lights and better reading habits. I hope his eyesight gets better, but it is really up to him.