Summer! We made it…we’ve waited months for this beautiful weather, and school’s out soon…so what are you going to do with the kids for the next few months?
Like most moms, I’m sure you’re already making plans for summer camps, the pool, the beach, crafts and other activities, and free play…gotta keep these kids busy and tire them out (so they don’t wake you up each morning before the sun comes up), right?
But have you thought about what you are going to do to ensure they have a safe and healthy summer?
While the focus may be on all of that fun stuff, are you ready to deal with all the non-so-fun stuff that comes with it? You know, the sun and the sunburns, the bugs and the bug bites, the scraped knees from playing outdoors, the mountain of activities that exhaust your kids leaving them, well…cranky would be the nice way of putting it (wink wink).
And how do you deal with all of that in the safest and healthiest way possible?
Did you know that the products we spray all over our kids all summer long to prevent those sun burns and bug bites and to soothe their boo-boos contain harmful chemicals that are absorbed directly through the skin, which can be particularly toxic to children’s developing bodies and minds?
So what should you do about it?
And is it really possible to find safe and natural alternatives to the chemical-laden ones, so that we don’t overload our kids with toxic chemicals and they can enjoy a safe and healthy summer?
The answer is YES! And you can do it by using essential oils!
Essential oils are natural and powerful aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and other parts of the plants that are extracted and distilled for a variety of health benefits.
They are a natural and healthy alternative to the synthetic products that line our store shelves.
And when it comes to essential oils, I choose dōTERRA for reasons you’ll discover below. When using the right essential oils, you can replace the synthetic products you currently have in your home with them!
Here are a few must-have natural solutions to put in your mom/dad bag-o’-tricks this summer.
1. Sun Block. So while I’m not sharing an essential oils alternative for this one, it’s still very important in having a safe summer. Do you know that the chemicals in sun block may actually be more harmful than the sun’s rays? But with so many sun blocks on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which may be the best option for your kids.
I like to visit the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database website or use their phone app to not only find out what’s in my sun block but to also choose the best option for me and my family. What I love about having the app on my phone is that I can be in any store, scan a product’s barcode right off the shelf, and its chemical composition and EWG rating (1-10) will pop up on my phone, allowing me to make an instant decision whether or not to purchase that product.
And you can do this for any other products you want to check, too, not just sun blocks!
2. Bug Spray. While I am so thankful that there are so many “healthier” alternatives on the market these days because not only are they harmful to humans but also to the environment in general (again see EWG links above), I like to use a product I was introduced to last summer from dōTERRA called Terrashield Outdoor Blend. You’ll find it here.
It comes in a spray and contains powerful essential oils and other plant-based oils known to provide outdoor protection in a natural, safe way. I keep one in my purse, one in the mini-van, one in our beach bag, and one on the patio. It also fits nicely in the back pocket of my jeans (as I discovered when I attended my daughter’s softball game the other day!).
Just spray lightly on your legs, arms, and neck before going outdoors for full protection against mosquitos, flies, etc., or you can diffuse the full strength Terrashield oil blend on your patio (or even in your home if the bugs find their way in). Terrashield is great to have on hand for all outdoor events, including at the beach, at summer festivals, on camping trips, and of course, in your backyard.
You can also safely spray Terrashield around the doors and window seals of your home, as it’s safe for kids of all ages. And with a blend containing Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood, it smells great too!
3. Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender is so versatile and is another must-have!
It can be used to relieve a sun burn, soothe cuts and scrapes, as well as promote a restful sleep for the kiddies and you! You can use lavender directly on the skin or diffuse it in the house to promote a peaceful atmosphere.
While you may be more familiar with lavender than other essential oils and may be tempted to run to your nearest retail store to pick some up, I really recommend dōTERRA’s Lavender because it is the purest (aka most effective) on the market.
While essential oils are trendy at the moment and can be found in just about any store you walk into, not all essential oils are created equally.
Did you know that essential oil companies are only required to use 5% true essential oil in their product to be able to label themselves as an essential oil? That leaves 95% “other” in the product, which usually means, you guessed it, harmful chemicals.
This is one of the main reasons that leads people to claim essential oils “just don’t work” for them. It could also be why people may have skin sensitivities and other adverse reactions to them. They’re not reacting to the essential oil, but rather to the “other” stuff in the bottle. For dōTERRA’s CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils, click here.
4. Correct-X Essential Ointment. Also a dōTERRA product, it’s used to soothe cuts and scrapes, and as we all well know…these kids can barely go a day without falling down and scraping their knees or elbows…CorrectX is a natural alternative to petroleum-based ointments that are toxic to our skin.
This petroleum-free, preservative-free ointment, containing Frankincense, Helichrysum, Melaleuca, Cedarwood, and Lavender to soothe and purify the skin, absorbs quickly and is gentle and non-irritating, making it ideal for sensitive skin, especially for our little ones.
5. Serenity Restful Blend. Another one from dōTERRA, this blend contains Hawaiian Sandalwood and Vetiver essential oils and is used for promoting a relaxing and restful sleeping environment, easing tensions, and calming the mind after a long day…perfect for kids or for mom and dad!
Just massage a drop of the serenity oil with any carrier oil on the soles of your kids’ feet prior to bedtime. Also an amazing essential oil to diffuse on your bedside throughout the night.
So that’s it! Keep these in your beach bag, your car, your backyard, your bedside, or wherever else you need them, for your best - - and healthiest - - summer ever!
