I don’t know about you, but I am doing the happy dance that my kiddos are back in school!  More structure to our schedule…we were ALL ready for it.  This year my youngest started kindergarten, which means we have the convenience of dropping off and picking up from ONE place finally!  But, it also means a big transition.  New people, expectations, and routine are a challenge, even though she’s excited to be there.  Essential oils are one of our most important tools for keeping things running smoothly…keeping us all healthy, waking up for the day, staying focused, and winding down in the evening.  We have found SOOO many ways they help make our school year more successful and I’ll share many of those here.  Are you ready for the BEST school year yet!?

Because essential oils are so versatile, there are literally tons of ways you can use them with your family.  This post (Part 1) will focus on using the oils for making each critical part of the day successful.  Part 2 covers immune support with essential oils to keep everyone healthy and keep them in school!  These guys over here are the reason I was looking for healthy solutions when I discovered how essential oils can work for us. LOVE!

Wakey, Wakey, Sleepyhead!

When it comes to our kids, starting the morning right can set the stage for the course of the day.  We start the day diffusing oils to wake up and energize.  One of my favorite combos in the diffuser for morning or day time is Orange and Peppermint together.  Lemon is also a popular choice.  Kids love the smell, it’s uplifting and revitalizing.  Really, kids love nearly all citrus oils.  Ok, EVERYONE loves nearly all citrus oils!  You can diffuse any one of these oils, a combination, or even make a “rollerball” they can easily apply for a quick mood pick-me-up.  (Reminder that citrus oils are photo-sensitive and can make skin more sensitive to sun exposure. Take appropriate precautions if applying citrus oils to skin that could be exposed to sun.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Success At School

During the school day, we want our kids to remain calm and focus on learning activities.  A calm kiddo has an easier time focusing on school work and just getting through the day. There are a number of reasons that some times our kiddos struggle.  Sometimes there are social distractions, sometimes they put too much pressure on succeeding, and sometimes we may not even be able to identify where it comes from.  But if they can’t stay calm and relaxed at school, they surely can’t learn to their full potential.  These are some options we like to help promote those calm and serene feelings.  If school will allow, you can put some in a rollerball for them to keep in their back packs.  My daughter’s favorite way to use her “calming oils” at school is wearing them on a leather bracelet (which she can smell throughout the day) or by using the Aroma Inhalers she keeps in her back pack.  (HERE’s a quick how-to on Aroma Inhalers. You can grab some HERE.)

If you are looking for the super-hero essential oil mix for a kiddo that needs extra support feeling calm, confident, and combating those occasional anxious moments, try mixing these oils in a 10 ml rollerball (find them HERE). This recipe is tried and true and sometimes called the “Isaiah 41:10 Blend – Do Not Fear for I am with You”. Use in the morning before school and allow your kiddos reapply as needed during the school day.  (Also an amazing blend for adults that need the same kind of support!)

• 50 drops Lavender oil (get them HERE)
• 35 drops Valor blend
• 30 drops Stress Away blend
• 15 drops Peace & Calming blend (or Peace & Calming II)
• 15 drops Vetiver oil
• Fill to top with carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, Young Living V-6 oil, etc.)

 

Many kiddos struggle with staying focused at school.  And when that happens, I know many-a-parent that has searched for a natural remedy before trying that “other” option.  😉  This is a biggie with school-aged kids, but also great for adults that need extra support as well.  (I know we have all experienced the brain fog that comes along with being a parent!)  These are some great suggestions for oils to help lift the fog, promote mental focus, and keep them on the right track.

• Peppermint is one of my all time favorite essential oils.  This one is in my diffuser nearly every day either in the morning or while I work.  Peppermint has been shown to help improve test scores, so it’s a perfect oil for school time.
• Clarity blend…the name says it all!  This is a preblended oil filled with individual oils all working for the same goal.
• Brain Power is another favorite of mine.  I like to apply one drop to the brain stem before leaving for school.  I use this one myself at work, and also on the kids at homework time.
• GeneYus is part of Young Living’s KidScents line of oils formulated specifically for the most common childhood needs.  This one is prediluted to be ready to use with kiddos directly from the bottle.  Another favorite for school work or homework time, either applied topically or in the diffuser.

 

If your child needs some extra help focusing, this blend will be your new BFF! I’ve heard a number of parents say they used this blend with their child, and the teacher asked WHAT on earth they did that helped so much!!  If your child needs some help staying focused or calm, OR if you are one of the many parents looking for natural options before going down the “other” route, this is one you need to try.  Make this recipe in a 10 ml rollerball. You can apply to the back of the neck, wrists, over the heart…whatever your child prefers.  OR, if you child doesn’t care for the scent (not uncommon with the woodsy aromas), try applying to the bottoms of feet in the mornings.  We apply every morning all over my daughter’s big toes (and some extra on the bottom of her feet) before putting on socks and shoes.  If your school will allow it, you can send the roller to school so they can reapply during the day.  If not, a diffusing bracelet or necklace may be the next best thing.

After School Homework Helpers

The same oils and blends that help them have a successful school day, are also favorites for helping with homework time.  At home, it’s time to break out the diffuser!  Peppermint, Brain Power and GeneYus are all perfect for the diffuser while they work on homework.  One of our personal favorites is to add equal parts of Orange, Peppermint and Rosemary oils to the diffuser during homework.  Smells amazing and helps them buckle down and get things done!

Nighty-Nighty, Sleep Tight

Don’t underestimate the importance of using essential oils for this final part of a successful school day!  Research has shown over and over that sleep is crucial to kids’ development, immune strength and ability to focus during the day.  We want them to fall asleep and STAY asleep!  We start diffusing before bed time to set the stage that sleep is coming and to help them start winding down.  These are some great oils for drifting away.  Some tips for using them:

• DIFFUSE! We diffuse every night in all the bedrooms. Most diffusers have lights that can be on or off.  I have one who likes hers for a night-light and one who prefers the light off!
• Make a rollerball. Make applying oils part of the bedtime routine.  Apply to their wrists or the bottoms of their feet.
• Add a couple of drops to the bath tub or in Epsom salts (THIS is the kind I use)
• Put a drop or two of oil in your hands and smooth over their pillow
• Make an easy linen spray with a few drops of oils in a spray bottle of distilled water

I have some more info and recipes HERE in this post.  My favorite night time diffuser recipe for my kiddos is:

• 2 drops Cedarwood
• 2 drops Copaiba
• 4 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Orange

 

Heavenly!  And knocks them right out!  My personal favorite in my diffuser at bedtime is equal parts of Lavender and Northern Lights Black Spruce.  Try out different relaxing oils and you’ll find the right ones for you.

Diffuse The Situation

Before we wrap up Part 1, do you have a diffuser yet?  They are my favorite way to experience essential oils and the easiest way to use them with kids!  You can tell from the ideas above that diffusing is a big part of how we use oils daily.  There’s more info HERE about how you can get started with the only brand of oils I trust for my family for a bundled price with a FREE diffuser!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Missing Piece:  Immune Support for Healthy Kids!

Part 2 covers a critical piece of a successful school year for EVERYONE involved!  We have to keep them (and us) healthy to keep them in school.  Essential oils are an important tool in this mama’s toolbox to make sure my littles get the support they need, especially as we head in to the colder months.  Click HERE for the next post for back-to-school success!