This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pearle Vision for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
I can tell we are quickly approaching meltdown territory, but there is nothing I can do to derail his tantrum train. Jonah looks at me in utter frustration. He even goes as far as to stomp his little foot and say, “NO MAMA, he not happy. Make him happy!”
I am on thin ice with him, but there isn’t much else I can do. Poor little Jonah hands me his favorite LEGO mini-figure, Batman. He is begging me to make Batman happy, which in toddler speak means “turn his LEGO head so his smile is facing forward.” I keep spinning the darn head, but apparently this Batman doesn’t have a smiley face…and I didn’t notice.
It’s The Little Things That Matter in Motherhood
All of a sudden, this moment makes sense to me — and so many others like it. Recently, the kids have gotten frustrated with me. I have lost track of time in the mornings, getting them out of the door a few minutes later than normal. I have misread some of their homework assignments and therefore given them the wrong instructions. And here, today, I am failing at making Batman happy because I don’t realize that he is wearing the wrong head.
I give Jonah a big hug, which he fights at first. But then he melts completely into my embrace. I feel his little arms around my neck and his hands gently patting my shoulders. This is his way of comforting both of us.
Jonah breaks away from the hug and appears to have forgotten all about the unhappy Batman and my failed attempt at fixing his problem. While he’s preoccupied and happy, I schedule an appointment to have my eyes checked!
Motherhood Is an Eye-Opening Experience
I realize that the reason we have been running a little late in the mornings is because I am unable to see the clock on the microwave in the kitchen.
This makes me wonder: What other little things have I missed lately? Have I not noticed the small nuances in their facial expressions? Have I missed cues of when they are hungry, sleepy or approaching a meltdown? Do they feel like I haven’t “seen” them? Have I appeared distant or disconnected?
So much of motherhood is noticing small signs and fine details — many of those I have missed as of late. But instead of worrying and feeling sorry for myself and the kids, I decide do something about it.
Now that I am (somewhere) in my 40s, my eyesight has changed a bit — ever so slowly. Apparently, I need help to see near and far. In other words, I am now the proud owner of “progressive lenses” (aka bifocals!) REALLY?! I am officially “requires-bifocal-lenses” old.
Oh well, these glasses are necessary so I can step up my motherhood game. My kids deserve a mother who can tell time and get out of the door before we are late. They need someone who notices when Batman is wearing the wrong head.
Our kids want a mother who sees, even from a distance, if her child’s lip is quivering because he’s sad, or if he is starting to look tired and worn out after a long day. The kids deserve my full attention, regardless of whether or not they are standing right in front of me or at the other end of the house.
Thanks to my new glasses, I will no longer miss the little things that matter so much in motherhood.
Motherhood Win
I had neglected taking care of myself (and my vision) for a few years now, with the excuse that I am “too busy!”
What on Earth was more important than seeing my family clearly and having a crisp vision?
When I finally went to Pearle Vision I had to bring Jonah (our toddler) along because I didn’t have a babysitter. I know, a toddler in an eyeglass place…much like a bull in a china shop, right? WRONG! 
Our appointment could not have gone smoother.
They explained the various tests to me, we discussed my family’s eye health history, and, as “luck” would have it, I needed a few extra tests to make sure things LOOKED good. (Notice the little eye pun!) Grandparents on both sides of my family had Glacoma and a few other degenerative eye conditions. But thankfully, I was in great hands at Pearle Vision.
There wasn’t a wait at all, and the experts at Pearle Vision were so helpful and gave me personalized attention during every step of the process.
Jonah was treated like the little prince that he is. Everyone in the store complimented he awesome behavior. Little did they know that our secret was “Peppa Pig” on YouTube.
The hardest part was picking out my glasses. There’s a lot of pressure when you pick out your new face for the world, but even then the Pearle Vision professionals were available and VERY patient.
I had two people from Pearle Vision help me, and their advice was incredibly spot-on. Jonah helped too, but his feedback was just “you pretty, mama!” He said that about all the frames, so his credibility went out the window.
Please, do me this favor: If you squint to see the clock on the microwave, stretch your arm to read the fine print or feel uncomfortable driving at night, go get an eye exam.
You never know what details you are missing until you truly miss them!
*) Eye exams available by Independent Doctors of Optometry at or next to Pearle Vision in most states. Doctors in some states are employed by Pearle Vision.
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