Let's face it, sports parents – keeping track of our athletic gear is like herding cats. And those darn sunglasses? They seem to have a mind of their own, vanishing into thin air between warm-ups and the final whistle. But don't sweat it! I've got some tricks up my sleeve to help your kiddos hang onto their shades. Trust me, I've been there, done that, and bought way too many expensive replacement pairs.
1. The Pre-Game Checklist: Not Just Another Thing to Forget
Okay, I know what you're thinking – "Great, one more thing to remember!" But hear me out. Throw those sunglasses on the pre-game checklist right next to cleats and water bottles. Before you know it, your mini-me will be grabbing their shades without a second thought. Bonus: it's sneaky parenting that teaches responsibility. Win-win!
2. Clip It and Forget It (Well, Not Really)
You know that sports bag that's practically become an extension of your kid? Make it sunglasses-friendly! Grab a hard case with a carabiner and clip those babies on. It's like giving the sunglasses their own little home – one that's always attached to your kid's hip (or bag).
3. Habit Stacking: It's Not Just for Adults
Try this: have your kid put on their sunglasses right after they do something they always do, like tying their shoes or stretching. It might take a few reminders, but soon they'll be grabbing those shades without you saying a word. It's not rocket science - just good old habit-forming. Before you know it, they'll feel weird if they don't have their sunglasses on!
4. Sporty Shades That Actually Stay Put
You know those sunglasses that seem to fly off your kid's face the second they start moving? Yeah, those aren't going to cut it on the field. Look for sporty styles that'll actually stay on during all the action. When kids aren't constantly pushing up falling glasses or worrying about them flying off, they're way less likely to take them off and forget about them. Plus, comfortable shades mean fewer complaints – and we could all use a little less of those, right?
5. The Indestructible Duo: Hard Case + Carabiner
I cannot stress this enough – a hard case with a carabiner is your new best friend. It's like a tiny fortress for those precious lenses, and the carabiner means it's always hooked onto something. No more "But Mom, I put them down for just a second!" excuses.
6. Let Them Be the Sunglasses Stylist
Want your kid to actually care about those sunglasses? Let them pick 'em out! When they're rocking shades they love, they're way more likely to keep tabs on them. Plus, it's pretty adorable watching them strut their stuff in their chosen eyewear.
7. The Safety Net: Sunglasses with a Plan B
Look, we're all human, and stuff happens. Find a brand that offers a solid replacement plan. It's like sunglasses insurance – a little peace of mind for when life (or a stray baseball) happens.
The Bottom Line
Okay, so here's the deal from a teen who's been there. We know we're not always the best at keeping track of our stuff. Sometimes we forget things, lose things, and yeah, maybe we've used our sunglasses as a frisbee once or twice (don't judge, it was funny at the time). But with these tips, we might actually stand a chance of keeping our shades on our faces where they belong.
It's not like we want to lose our cool sunglasses. So when we manage to make it through a whole game without losing them, that's kind of a big deal. Go ahead and celebrate that – we certainly do!
And parents, we know you're stressed about us losing stuff (and about your bank account taking hits for replacements). But trust me, we're all in this together. We're learning to be responsible- it just takes time. In the meantime, we are here to help.
