Many moms know, kids are full of surprises. One
of those is the active imagination that comes along soon into toddlerhood. Alex has provided no shortage of amusements and surprises so far.
When toddlers reach a certain age, some of them may
develop a sudden fear of sleeping in the dark, or of being in their rooms alone.
Often, when asked why, they will blame it on an infestation of monsters. This
fear is very real to them. Dismissing it can often make it worse.
There are plenty of ways of approaching the
problem, but there is one solution that is not only fun, it supports their
imagination, and helps them overcome their fear in a creative way. It is also a
safe and pleasant solution; and that is to whip up a batch of ‘monster
repellent’ using a recipe of essential oils that is formulated to help soothe
and calm them before bedtime.
Essential Oils are becoming a household resource
for an array of health and home solutions. So why not use them to calm an
anxious child in a fun way?
Start with a 16-ounce food-grade glass spray
bottle. These can be found at natural grocers, and a variety of other sources,
including Amazon. Glass is recommended when using pure essential oils. I also
recommend you seek out and find the highest-quality, high-purity essential oils
for this project. We can’t be too careful when our children are involved—so we
strongly recommend you find a reputable, safe source. I recommend dōTerra essential oils.
Begin with the recipe. Blend the following in
your spray bottle:
- 20 drops Vetiver
- 8 drops Lavender
- 8 drops Ylang Ylang
- 8 drops Roman Chamomile
- 4 drops Frankincense
- 4 drops Clary Sage
- 2 drops Marjoram
Fill the difference with purified water. Close
tightly, wipe down the bottle and set it aside.
Measure the desired size of your label. Apply
your craftiness, and starting with your child’s particular category of nemesis
(monster, ghosts, etc), create a colourful label for the bottle. It can say: MONSTER
REPELLENT or GO AWAY GHOST! You are also welcome to download the design
featured on this post by clicking HERE. This label is 3” x 6” and fits the
bottle nicely. You just need to print it on a matte photo paper, trim it down
to your desired size, and then with some rubber cement, affix it to the bottle.
Let it dry. You can also take it one step further and put a layer of clear tape
or contact paper over it so it doesn’t fade or smudge.
 |
| Pretty cute. Smells nice too. |
Using
the Spray:
Shake the bottle vigorously before use in order
to emulsify the oils and water. Quickly and lightly spray the child’s pillow
and bedding a few minutes before bedtime so the water can evaporate. You can
also go through the motions and pretend-spray where the child thinks the
monsters are hiding; like in the closet, under the bed, etc. Spraying curtains
will also prevent outdoor monsters from coming in, I’ve heard. The fresh scent
of aromatic oils will assure the child that you have actually applied a remedy,
and the application of these particular essential oils will also help soothe
and calm your child before bedtime.
You may also allow your children to help spray
down the room, participation will reinforce their confidence that this spray is
working, and assist in further calming, soothing and reassuring them.
So if your little one has a fear of monsters or
witches, goblins, ghosts or ghouls, there’s a solution for that (pardon the pun). J
