I have no problem taking my son to go see a movie. I know he can sit and watch without standing up, talking, etc. When 3D movies became popular again and he wanted to go see one, I was a little worried. I didn’t know if he would keep those 3D glasses on the whole time.
They’re uncomfortable and even I want to take them off half the time. If he decides to take them off, then the movie is difficult to see and there’s more of an opportunity for him to act out. What is a parent to do? Here are some ways to keep your kid in the glasses, so you can BOTH enjoy the movie.
1. The Trial Run
Visit a local store and buy a pair of cheap sunglasses and bring them home. Tell him their his special glasses and see how long he can keep them on. You can even try sitting down and watching a movie to see how he does.
Tell him that the film he wants to see has glasses like these and wearing them makes the movie look more real. Watch the movie and see how he reacts. When he tries to take them off, remind him about the movie he’s looking forward to and that he can’t take them off. By the middle of the movie, you’ll probably have a good idea of whether or not he’ll be able to wear the glasses for a long time, without spending $10 for a movie ticket.
2. The Incentive
Keep his hands busy during the movie with popcorn, but hold off on the candy. Tell him that if he keeps the glasses on the entire time, then afterwards you will go for a treat. I have found that ice cream can be a great motivator.
If he takes the glasses off or starts fidgeting, then remind him of the ice cream. The important thing about the incentive is that if he doesn’t fulfill his duty, then he doesn’t receive the incentive. It does no good to offer an incentive for good behavior and then still give it to him when he makes the wrong choices.
3. The Rubber Band Man
The biggest problem small children have with wearing the glasses is the fit. The ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t always work well, so you may need to be a crafty parent. When you sit down in the theater, pull out a rubber band and tie an end to each side of the glasses. Place it on your son’s head and the rubber band should make it a snug fit. Make sure they’re not too tight or else he’ll keep taking them off because they’re uncomfortable. You can always adjust the rubber bands.
The good news is that if these don’t work, most children’s movies come in the 2d version as well. It won’t be as exciting, but 3D only works if the glasses are on.
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