This blog post is sponsored by VSP® Vision Care, the nation’s only not-for-profit vision care company. Talk to your employer about getting started with VSP this open enrollment season.

So, Connor is officially a second grader!  How is it that I just had this baby and now he’s already knee-deep in grade school?   I got him a backpack this year that has dogs with glasses on them.  He loves dogs and he loves his glasses, so it worked out great!  Speaking of glasses, that’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about today.  Let’s chat about the importance of vision care and you can also check out www.seemuchmore.com to see if VSP^® Vision Care is right for you.

Last year Connor had an eye exam right before Christmas break and his results showed that he for sure needed glasses.  Terence and I both wear glasses and contacts so I knew it was only a matter of time.  We took him to pick out a new pair of glasses and made it a fun experience for him.  He was actually super excited to get glasses and wanted them really bad!  Ha ha!

I think I knew all along he needed them because he was struggling in school.  One in four children in the U.S. has undetected vision problems which could impair learning, according to the American Optometric Association.  Connor kept telling us he was having problems seeing things and he actually passed his first in-school eye exam.  It was after a second eye exam at school that we decided to take him back to the Doctor and get more information and another more comprehensive eye exam.

Get your child excited about wearing glasses!!!  Say things like:

• “Those glasses look so good on you!”
• “You look SO SMART in those new glasses”
• “Are you excited to show your friends your new look?”

Connor in his new glasses 🙂

As soon as we walked out of the eye doctor’s office he turned to me and said “Mom I can see EVERYTHING now!”

That melted my heart that he was basically living in a blur.  I had absolutely no idea.  I didn’t get glasses until I was much older and honestly thought he was too young to need glasses at 6-years-old.  Of course as a parent you will do whatever it takes to help your child. I felt relief and contentment knowing my child could see better.  Did you know a routine eye exam can help detect signs of serious health conditions, like diabetes, a brain tumor and high cholesterol?

Now glasses come in so many options.  I like wearing them myself just to change-up my every day style.  Connor chose a pair of camo printed glasses and he loves to show them to his friends.  It has also taught him responsibility and how to care for a valuable item that he wears every day.  So far he has done a great job at keeping them on his face and putting them in his case at night.

Something our eye Doctor said to him was:

“Remember, if your glasses are not on your face then they should be in your case!”

We repeated that over and over and he caught on really quick!

Select eyeglasses that contrast from your facial contours and bring symmetry and balance to your prominent features.  I love trying on different shapes and styles.  It’s one of the easiest ways to change your look and have fun too!

So, now that we’re full-swing into the school year remember that we are heading into open enrollment season so don’t forget to sign up for vision care benefits. Reminder: while most open enrollment periods are in October and November, if you experience a life change like marriage or childbirth then you may be eligible to change your benefit selections and add dependents, meaning if vision benefits are offered – you could sign up.

Check out more info at seemuchmore.com!