B + L helps moms

Rochester, NY-Bausch + Lomb (B + L) is partnering with Mom Central Consulting (www.momcentralconsulting.com) to deliver tips to help mothers have basic “daily talks” with their children about issues that may affect self-confidence, including the wearing of eyeglasses.

In a recent survey, a majority of mothers said they feel better prepared to have conversations with their children about topics such as drugs, alcohol, and smoking than they do about issues related to nutrition, makeup, or eyeglass wear.

The Daily Talk online survey of 801 mothers in the United States who have at least one child aged more than 10 years found that 93% of mothers already have had the “big” conversations with their children about drugs, alcohol, and smoking. In addition, 63% said they felt well-prepared to discuss those topics. Mothers said they felt least prepared to talk with their children about wearing makeup (33%) or to talk with a child who wants to forego eyeglasses for contact lenses (21%).

“We find it interesting that moms feel stymied when it comes to discussing those issues that are more closely linked to a child’s self-confidence,” said Stacy DeBroff, chief executive officer and founder of Mom Central Consulting.

Back-to-school time is when many kids begin to think about improved skin care routines or contact lenses or are beginning to use makeup, DeBroff added. “We encourage moms to use the opportunity tied to back-to-school physicals to engage her pediatrician or eye-care professional in helping her have the conversations on the more basic subjects of skincare and eye care so that she feels well-armed when negotiating with her teen or ‘tween,’ ” she said. “Speaking with an outside party such as a doctor can help to provide answers while also giving your child another impartial, but credible, source of information.”

B + L is trying to encourage parents to make an appointment with their child’s eye-care provider by offering a free trial of the company’s daily disposable lenses (SofLens). Parents can visit www.soflens.com for the offer. Additionally, the Web site allows children to enter B + L’s “Daily Score” sweepstakes for a chance to win a sports tote bag or a grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship.