Shark Week + Essential Oils: Yes, Please!

At the close of Shark Week 2018, we thought that Suzanne Rodolfich's Shark Week-themed posts were too good not to share on our blog! Enjoy:) 

Shark Skin? No, Thanks! Best Essential Oils for Skin Care 

Essential Oils are a great, natural way to take care of your skin! 

Did you know that shark skin actually looks and feels like little interlocking teeth? Um, no thank you!

Young Living offers SO many options for your skin! Here are a just a few top skin oils:

Top Essential Oils for Skin

• Frankincense—helps create youthful appearance 
• Tea Tree—cleanses skin
• Geranium—helps provide healthy, clear, glowing skin
• Cypress—smooths skin
• Copiaba—reduces redness
• Sandalwood—soothes, tightens, cleanses
• Blue Tansy—soothes, reduces redness, provides antioxidant
• Kunzea—provides antioxidant benefits (check out the pics of how the Kunzea plant affects a barbed wire fence)

DIY Skin Care Recipes

My Toner Recipe

• Witch Hazel  
• Equal parts Frankincense (glow), Lavender (soothe), Lemon, (brighten), Copiaba

My Skin Cream Recipe

I originally created this as a diaper cream, but now I use it for all sorts of skin issues.

• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Equal parts Frankincense, Tea Tree, and Lavender

My Facial Serum Recipe

• 3 drops Frankincense
• 2 drops Myrrh,
• 1 drop Rose

Lots of options, right? I love that we can take care of our skin with non-toxic products that meet our skin’s unique needs!

Do you sleep like a shark? Best Oils for Sleep Support

So many sleep support oils, which are your favorites? 

So apparently there’s lots of controversy about how and if and when sharks sleep:

• They seem to be very active at night
• Most species have to remain in motion, so for years scientists thought sharks didn’t sleep
• However, now scientists think they enter periods of rest where they slow down, but their eyes are open, and it’s not a true deep sleep

Did I describe any of you with those facts? Maybe your kids?

I think many of us seek out essential oils because we need sleep support—that was my reason 5 years ago!

But just like there are lots of things we don’t know about sharks’ sleeping habits, there are so many variables with our own sleeping habits that finding an Essential Oils combo for sleep support can be trial and error.

Best Oils for Sleep Support

• Lavender: Most people start with Lavender—this doesn’t work for me or Jonna 
• Frankincense: this is a fav in our house and a Lavender + Frankincense combo can be powerful
• Stress Away
• Peace and Calming

If you really want to sleep like the dead, then consider these heavy hitters:

• Valor
• Valerian
• Rutavala
• DreamCatcher

And then there are a few that kids especially find calming:

• Gentle Baby
• Roman Chamomile 
• SleepyIze

And finally, you may want to consider WHY you aren’t sleeping: Are you worried? Is your child needing a little extra security? Sometimes if we can support our emotions, we can sleep better.

Suzanne's Picks

So—what do WE use for sleep support in our house?

The Kids

• Jonna (6)—Frankincense, Valor, or Palo Santo
• Zanna (5)—Frankincense,  Valor, or Palo Santo
• Mila (3)—Palo Santo and White Angelica
• Vin (1)—Lavender or Peace and Calming

The Adults

• Me—Valor or Rutavala (the kids would use the Rutavala, too, but that’s liquid gold and I’m a little stingy with it )
• The hubs—whatever I’m diffusing 

And despite this lengthy post, there are still more options—I feel like I am leaving so many good ones out!

Maybe you can help me out—what are your family’s favorite oils for sleep support?

Skip the Blue Shark Blues: Essential Oils for Mood Support

No need to feel like the Blue Shark! Try out these tried and true mood boosting oils. 

This is the blue shark—according to my friends Google and Wikipedia, they are sort of sluggish and lethargic in their movements. 

Top Oils for Mood Boosting

If you’re feeling the same way, maybe a little down, a little blue, here are some oily tips to try:

• A drop of Frankincense Vitality daily under the tongue (this is a my go-to mood lifter)
• Frankincense + Lemon in the diffuser
•  A few drops of Joy in your hands and inhale
• Ylang Ylang + Orange in the diffuser
• Super B an energy and mood lifter all in one—do you know how much our body NEEDS B vitamins? They are vital! I made this a part of my daily routine after I had Vin.
• NingXia Red—daily, daily, daily! In addition to about a hundred other things, it supports healthy energy levels and regulates blood sugar (anybody else get HANGRY?)

Raise your hand if you had fun with Essential Oil SHARK WEEK! Share any skin, sleep or mood support tips below. Bonus points for Shark-themed ideas:) 

Oily Hacks for Mamas

Today, Natalie Mechell, first time-contributor and busy mom of two, shares some practical Oily Hacks for mamas. As she puts it, “Because we can always use a little more convenience and a lot more time.” We couldn’t agree more!

These little tricks have made naps and bedtimes go a little smoother, walking out the door before a busy day easier, and dealing with the seasonal-ick not quite so daunting.

So what do I do to make things easier, simpler? Here are a few of my …

Oily Hacks for Mamas

These roll-on oily hacks are easy to make and even easier to apply! Perfect for the busy oily mama. 

Immune Support

We use Thieves and Oregano Daily! This helps my family maintain healthy immune systems and protect us during the seasonal yuck we all dread come Back to School days! Here’s how to create a quick and easy immune-supporting rollerball for each of these mama must-have oils:

Thieves

What You Need

• 5 ml or 15 ml bottle of Thieves Vitality
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: When our Thieves bottle is about half full, I fill it back up with fractionated coconut oil for dilution. You can play with ratios to find the dilution that is best for your family!
2. Top: Click a roller fitment into the top of your bottle.
3. Roll: We roll on our spine, bottoms of feet, wrists, and – for us – wherever we can swipe really!

Oregano

What You Need

• 5 ml or 15 ml bottle of Oregano Vitality
• Fractionated coconut oil  
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: I pump fractionated coconut oil when our Oregano bottle is a little less than half way and then fill to the top. I dilute Oregano more because it can be quite uncomfortable when not diluted properly.
2. Top: Install roller fitment.
3. Roll: Apply on spine daily.

Sweet Dreams Support  

We love lavender! My daughter and I are big fans of this calming oil, especially when comes to our sleep routines. Here’s a quick DIY recipe for my favorite sleep blend, turned into, you guessed it: a convenient roll-on.

What You Need

• 25 drops of Lavender
• 25 drops of Stress Away
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment
• Empty oil bottle
• Essential oil funnel

What You Do

1. Combine: Use funnel to help you neatly add oils to empty oil bottle.                                  Pro Tip: Use an empty Lavender or Stress Away bottle for the best results.
2. Dilute: Fill bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
3. Top: Place a roller fitment on top.
4. Roll: We roll this on the sides of our neck before naps and bedtime daily! (Daddy uses Lavender and Cedarwood.)

Of course this is what we use for our sleepy times, but you might love Cedarwood, Vetiver, Frankincense, or R.C.

Student Support

I use this tip to encourage my son (who is 3 years old) to not only smell great, but stay focused and tuned in to his fun-filled learning day!

What You Need

• Bottle of KidScents Geneyus
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: take an almost full bottle of Geneyus and fill with fractionated coconut oil. I barely dilute.
2. Top: Place roller fitment on top.
3. Roll: Roll on wrists and sides of neck before heading out the door.

Mama Support

Last but not certainly least, mama has her "perfume" I like to call it. I use a little Joy, Stress Away, and Grapefruit to give me a signature scent that keeps me bright for days.

What You Need

• 7 drops Joy
• 25 drops Stress Away
• 15 drops Grapefruit
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment
• Empty oil bottle
• Essential oil funnel

What You Do

1. Combine: Add drops to your empty bottle carefully, using your funnel.
2. Dilute: Top off with fractionated coconut oil to dilute a little.
3. Top: Pop in a roller fitment and voila!
4. Roll: Apply wherever you would commercial perfume: neck, wrists, chest, even the back of your knees.

Of course you can change drops to your preference, but I love to smell the Stress Away!

Easy, Right?

These practical tips have helped mornings, naps and bedtimes go a little more smoothly without compromising time with too many steps.

What would you mix in a bottle and keep on hand for daily use?

DIY Essential Oils for Back to School

We’ve reached our final course...errr post...in this series: Back to School DIY. As you’re settling into your new routine, you may just be inspired to do some DIY projects, and we are here to help with some of our fav recipes. Much like our diffuser post, these recipes will take you from Good morning to Goodnight.

So, class, are you ready? Let’s get started!

Smooth(ie) Sailing: Rise N Shine Smoothie

Make mornings easy with this quick and tasty breakfast treat. 

Need Breakfast at the push of button? Enter the Rise n Shine Smoothie. We award this one bonus points for being delicious and nutritious. Switch up ingredients to customize to your family’s tastes. Vitality oils, milks and fruits can all be swapped for your favs.

Everyday Wellness: Germy Hand Kid Soap

Feeling DIY-inspired? Try this wellness-boosting, Thieves-powered foaming hand soap. 

While we love Thieves Foaming Hand Soap, this recipe is a great DIY alternative if you’re feeling creative. Either way, you’ll be supporting your family’s wellness with the power of Thieves.

After School Anti-Smell: Stinky Kid Spray

Keep this spray with you anywhere stink can happen: aka EVERYWHERE.

Purification (obvious alert) purifies the air. That means that it can even refresh things like middle school boy bedroom, volleyball bag or mysterious minivan odors. Don’t leave home without it.

After School Snack: Dreamsicle Fruit Dip

Ease into homework time with a yummy snack: Dreamsicle Dip + Fruit. 

Treat your students to a sweet treat after school that’s not packed with sugar or strange ingredients. Fruit + this yummy Dreamsicle dip will please even picky eaters. Want to make it even healthier? Replace the cream cheese with Greek yogurt and the powder sugar with agave, honey or stevia.

Night Night: Sweet Dreams Cream

Relax...Sweet Dreams Cream to the bedtime rescue! 

We will share anything that helps kids have a good night sleep. Just apply this cream after evening bath to help your kids relax. It’s an easy way to use oils with your family and with Lavender and Peace & Calming II, it’s bound to invite (you guessed it) Sweet Dreams fast.

Class Dismissed 

Thanks for attending our Back to School crash course! Do you have any Essential Oil DIY inspiration to share? We’d love to hear from you!

Stay tuned, we'll share September Promo details soon!

Oils for Mom

I have two boys. 1 and 3. Whenever I tell someone my kids’ ages, they say “You’re busy!” Then I get the smile ... that smile somewhere between “you can do it!” and lots of empathy, especially from mamas who are no longer in the toddler trenches with me.

And they’re right. Having two kids two years apart is no joke. I mean, we laugh a lot. But each day carries it’s own challenges. And that’s why I’m thankful for the help I get from wonderful little Young Living bottles.

So today, as a mom, I’m sharing which oils are on my and my fellow Tree of Life mom bloggers most-used lists. Use it as an inspiration for how to use Essential Oils in your family or as a shopping list for a special mom in your life.  

Joy, Rose, DiGize, Thieves, just a few of faves for moms! The best of the best #BecauseYouDeserveIt. Happy Mother's Day! 

Mood Support:

Full-time moms, working-moms, work-from-home moms: we all work a lot. And I hope I’m not the only one with a few racing thoughts now and then. (Have your recently cooked while your toddler gets out every pan you own and places them right where you need to stand? Bananas.) Anyway, mood support makes me think of a cheesy, but nonetheless true cliche: If mama ain’t happy, nobody's happy.

• Joy: I rub a little Joy over anyone’s heart in my family when a grumpy mood hits. That includes me down to my one year old. Want to learn more about Joy? We’ve written about it a lot. I especially love this mom’s perspective from Michelle McKool.
• Lavender: I love lavender for minor head tension. It’s also a great way to prepare for a sweet night’s sleep. As an oily MVP, it’s also great for DIY beauty creams and dryer balls for fresh laundry.
• Progessence Plus Serum: Hormone support often goes hand-in-hand with mood support. I love mom and grandma’s Cynthia Lengefeld’s post on how Progessence Plus Serum changed her life.  

Home Cleaning:

It’s not glamorous (and hopefully you have plenty of helping hands), but home cleaning is often part of the mom job description. I’ve been working toward a Chemical-Free house cleaning routine, and of course, essential oils and essential oil-infused products have helped a ton on that journey.

• Purification: Here’s a “Quick: guests are coming, let’s freshen up” tip. Just diffuse Purification. It (duh alert) purifies the air with a refreshing, welcoming scent.

• Thieves Household Cleaner: Love this stuff! I use it everywhere. The bathroom, kitchen, floors. Plus, it’s a great value. I’ve been using it for nearly two years and I’m still on my first bottle!

• Lemon: I add lemon and vinegar to my Thieves Cleaner all-purpose recipe for fresh, streak-free clean everywhere! Lemon is also a go-to any stubborn stickiness. As a bonus to teen moms: Lemon helps students concentrate while studying.

Wellness Faves:

As mamas, we also work hard to keep our kids (and husbands) healthy. In my family, this involves a lot of hand washing and a few of these bottles.

• Thieves: While some mornings get away from me, I try to put a couple drops of Thieves blend on everyone’s feet before they head out the door. This includes me! When I slack, I can tell. It’s truly an essential part of my daily routine.
• Peace & Calming or Peace & Calming II: My 3 year old loves (and requests) Peace & Calming before bed. A couple drops helps him settle down for a peaceful night’s sleep.
• Digize: We also write about Digize a lot. It’s great for pregnant mamas and little ones.

Pro Tip: Low on energy? Suzanne Rodolfich gives a great energy boosting suggestion  in her Postpartum Oils post.

Beauty Faves:

And what mama-must have list is complete without a little treat yo’self section? Using Essential Oils for DIY beauty serums is actually a way I have bonded with my own mom over Essential Oils.

• Ylang Ylang: We both have curly hair and have found adding a drop of Ylang Ylang to wet hair once or twice a week has really nourished our locks and encouraged our curls. Plus, it smells amazing.
• Rose: This is the treat yourself of all treat yourself oils. A valuable and highly-prized oil, this floral delight can be applied topically for healthy, youthful looking skin.  
• Myrrh: This oil is a great night time moisturizer. I was inspired to add it to my regular routine by Jaynelle, she included it to her top 5 oils!

Happy Mother’s Day from Tree of Life! Which oil would you share with a mom in your life?

Newborn & Baby Oils

Welcome to our Family + Essential Oils series. We plan to cover every age and stage: Oils for Toddlers, Moms, Dads, Grandparents and Family Vacation. Someone we left out? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them to our plan!

This is actually our second week, so if you missed our Postpartum post, take the time to catch up (we’ll wait:). Oh, and while you’re at it, check out the Top 10 Oils for Pregnancy – it happens to be one of our all-time top 10 posts.

Ok, now that we’ve talked mamas-to-be and new mamas, we’re ready to share some general guidelines and tips for using oils with your baby.

Essential Tips for Your Oily Baby

Ready for baby's first oil? Try out these oily newborn tips. 

Ingestion Tips

Gotcha! No tips here. Young Living suggests waiting until after babyhood to try any of our vitality line with your child. We agree! The oils are powerful and highly concentrated for such little bodies.

Topical Tips

Young Living’s official recommendation for littles 0-1 is a 1:8 oil to carrier ratio. We say that’s a good starting point, but remember that every baby is different. Test dilution with your little one.

And if you are going to try a new oil on your child it’s a good idea to use just a drop or two on a small patch first, like the forearm. After a successful patch test (a few minutes with no reaction), you can apply as needed!

Pro Tip: Apply the essential oils first, followed by your favorite dilution oil.  

Aromatic Tips

Again, think “start gently” when it comes to aromatically sharing oils with your baby. You can create a bond with baby by simply wearing an oil while skin to skin. And, just like the topical patch test, you will want to diffuse an oil for a short time at first to ensure your child has no sensitivity.

First Oily Days

In their Oils for the Nursery post, Young Living lists a few oils to use with caution with your baby.

• Idaho Tansy
• Clary Sage
• Hyssop
• Wintergreen
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint

While watching for these oils is a good idea, it’s an even better idea to try out some of our favorites to support your little one’s health.

• Ear Support: Melrose & Roman Chamomile, apply 1-2 drops behind and around ears
• Diapering Support:
  • Lavender & Frankincense, apply 1-2 drops on diaper area after a change with some coconut oil
  • Try our DIY Baby Powder
•  Respiratory Support: Lavender or Peace & Calming, apply to chest, bottom of feet and diffuse intermittently during nap. Also, try diffusing Lavender & SniffleEase during the night or nap.
• Sleep support: Lavender & Cedarwood,1-2 drops on chest and bottom of feet.
• Mood Support: Frankincense & Joy, 1-2 drops over the heart
• Digestive Support: DiGize/TummyGize, apply over the chest and belly 15 - 20 minutes before feedings. You can also apply after feeding, if needed.
• Gut Health: Fennel, apply 1-2 drops over the colon area, rub clockwise

And that’s it, baby! Again, let us know if there are any ages or family members you’d like to see included in our series and we’ll get a writer on it!

Essential Oil DIY Recipe: Baby Powder

Ready for another naturally great DIY Essential Oil recipe? This one is mom-approved, baby-approved and cloth diapering safe! This week we give you essential oil-infused Baby Powder! As always, you can throw our recipes together with household staples and your favorite essential oils.

Keep baby's skin soft AND your peace of mind? That's a win-win with this DIY Baby Powder. 

Supplies & Ingredients

Supplies

• Glass Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Mixing Spoon
• Storage Container (Mason Jar or glass shaker)*

*Store in a dark, dry place.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Arrowroot powder**
• 5-10 drops of (pick one):
• Lavender
• Roman Chamomile
• Ylang Ylang
• Melrose
• Gentle Baby

**You can also use ¼ cup cornstarch and ¼ cup Arrowroot, but again, we prefer Arrowroot. It’s best for sensitive skin and does not promote yeast growth like cornstarch can.

How It’s Done

Another “why haven’t I tried this before” two-step process!

1. Combine all ingredients in your glass mixing bowl.
2. Store in your chosen container.

Use Today

Baby powder helps absorb extra moisture to keep your baby’s skin soft and smooth. Add your favorite soothing oil to keep your baby smelling fresh and a smile on your face, even during diaper changes. Plus, giving your baby a signature scent will give you an instant connection to sweet baby days whenever you happen to smell the oil you use in your powder recipe, even years later!

For baby,

1. Shake powder out onto your hand (avoiding baby’s face).
2. Apply with every diaper change and after every bath.

For You,

Don’t let baby have all the fun! This recipe is also great for parents (and non-parents). Apply in the morning and throughout the day to keep your skin sweat-free and soft.

Do you DIY? What’s your can’t-live-without-it homemade beauty product?

Oil of the Week: Lavender

Lavender...where to begin? So many uses, so little time! I don't know if I could think of one person who could not benefit from Lavender! We love having it in our family; all 4 of us have at least one way to use it on a regular basis.  

Lavender: An Oil for Every Member of the Family

Lavender is versatile. We love it as a part of our nighttime routines, skin soothing support and, of course, its fresh scent. So many uses make it a great starter oil. 

#1 Baby Benefits

This is my favorite way to use Lavender currently! I have a 10 month old who is not quite old enough to communicate why she may be fussing. Mamas, you know the drill:

• Does she have a tooth pushing through?
• Does she feel warm?
• Is it a season change that’s causing the sniffles?
• Is she restless?

You never quite know the answer! But I can tell you this, I always have the same answer...rub some lavender on! It is so versatile and supports so many systems that chances are, it will give her relief in one way or another!

I just apply it on her feet, and then on her chest for respiratory support and to help her relax.

Fun fact: Did you know our feet are our most porous part of our body? Apply an oil to the feet and it will absorb and know just the right spot to travel to!

#2 Toddler Triumphs   

In addition to our sweet little girl, we have a sweet (but tough!) 31/2 yr old boy. I must say Lavender is great to have around for soothing the many bumps and bruises of toddlerhood! I apply straight on at times, or dilute with some coconut oil when he's a little more sensitive.

#3 Happy Hubby Habits

My husband has a lot of stress from day to day and needs a little extra assistance calming his mind at night. To help, we start it in the diffuser a little before bedtime. We both love how it promotes a relaxing atmosphere as we get ready for bed.

DIY Tip: I've heard of others making a linen spray and spraying it on their sheets and pillows as well!

#4 Mama Merits

As far as I'm concerned I have two favorite uses for lavender. Sorry I tried to narrow it down to just one, but I couldn't!

Game-Changer at Season Changes

The first is during the change of seasons. This was actually how I was introduced to essential oils! I used to battle sinus irritation whenever the temperature changed (which happens pretty frequently in Arkansas!). One weekend, I was staying with a dear friend who used essential oils. She recommended a few and after that I was hooked! Now when I sense a change in the weather I apply a drop or two directly over my cheekbones and along my neck. Sometimes, I put a drop under my tongue as well for quicker relief!

After-Sun Soother

I also have another dilemma: You see, I'm a girl who loves the sun! Like I really feel like I can never get enough of it! Unfortunately, my German descent doesn't agree with this. Yup, I have the blonde hair blue eyes and very very fair skin, so I usually have to suffer the consequences after a long day in the sunshine. This is where lavender becomes my best friend! When I get home or even throughout the day while I'm out, I take a few drops of lavender, mix it with coconut oil and rub it wherever needed! I love the smell of the coconut/lavender combo and it's very soothing to the skin!

Lavender Vitality: A Refreshing Recipe Addition

Another great way to use Lavender? In recipes! Yes, Young Living makes a Lavender Vitality oil that can be ingested!

Honey Lavender Lemonade

Check out this summertime favorite on the Young Living blog. It’s so cool and refreshing!!

Lavender Blackberry Scones

Take a good scone recipe and mix in a handful of blackberries. Then, make a frosting of powdered sugar, lemon juice and a drop of Lavender Vitality. Drizzle on top of your freshly baked scones....mmmm.

Here are a few other creative ways to use Lavender...

• Add a drop of Lavender to your tube of mascara to support healthy lashes.
• Add a few drops to wool dryer balls to refresh your laundry (I especially love to do this for our sheets and my little ones "blankies").
• Get some raw Shea butter and mix with coconut oil, add a few drops of Lavender for a luxurious whipped body butter!
• Apply a drop under the tongue or along the neck before mowing the lawn for preventative respiratory support.
• Diffuse with other oils for a lovely smelling home. Some of my favorites to mix with are lemon, orange or eucalyptus blue.

What's your favorite way to use Lavender? We'd love to hear about it! Any questions? Contact me at inspirationsbyrae@gmail.com

Happy (Oily) Mother's Day!

As a little girl, I would dress up and “be” lots of things…a chef, a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, an interior designer. Now, I don’t have to pretend anymore. I became all these things when I chose to be a mom!

I cook for my kids, I tend to their hurts and wounds, and I’m a teacher and a homemaker. In other words, I wear quite a few hats. I love maturing and growing in my motherhood, and I especially cherish each time I enter a season when I learn how to be just a little bit better at one of these roles. 

A New Season: Oily Mom

My 5 Oily Kiddos: Brendan, Ashlyn, Kayden, Meagan, & Aspen.

About 4 years ago, I began what I like to call my “oily mom” season. I started learning all about natural remedies and how to tend to my children’s physical needs in a new way. It has been such a blessing to discover how to use essential oils as the first line of health support for my children. I can say that this season has changed each member of our family, especially my kids.

In so many areas of our lives, oils have brought us relief, health, peace, focus, and protection. Even more exciting, it has brought us closer together as a family, especially in the relationships between my kids and me.

The Beginning of our Oily Journey

In the beginning of our oily journey, I knew very little about what I was doing. I just knew I was eager and excited, and I felt confident that Young Living was a company I could use on my children. I also knew that I could always apply the oils to my kids’ feet and that they would benefit from this basic application. So, I began to do nothing more than use a drop or two of oil to support good moods, digestion, better sleep, respiratory system health and more. As I applied the oils to my kids’ feet, I prayed for whatever was bothering them, asking the Lord to use these living oils.

We were never disappointed! Aches eased. Kids slept through the night. Moods softened. I felt like I was able to give my kids something I had never given them before, and I felt the most equipped to be their mom than I had ever felt. 

The Real Miracle

As wonderful as this was, the real miracle – the melt-a-mom’s-heart development – came next. My kids began to come to me. They would let me know when they were frustrated, before it got bad, and ask for me to hold them, rub oils on their feet, and pray for them so they would feel better. They saw me as a trusted place to bring their hurts in a way that they had never felt before. All of a sudden, I was spending time every day, hearing the “owies” in my kids’ hearts and bodies, laying hands on them, and bringing them comfort. This opened a whole new door in the intimacy and relationship between each of my kids and me! What mom doesn’t want her kids to bring her their troubles and actually feel equipped to help them? 

Now, years down the road, I still get to be the first line of health support for my kids. They ask for my wisdom, and they are learning to develop their own. They no longer just ask for help most of the time, they ask for the specific oil they need because they have learned right alongside their Mom. While the older ones can now apply most oils themselves, they still love to have Mom apply them and spend a few moments letting me take care of them. It’s such a blessing to be an Oily Mom and raise Oily Kids! Here is very brief glimpse of how this gift looks in our home with kids ages 3-15.

A Word from My Kids

Brenden

Brendan tackles sore muscles and smelly football gear with his favorite oils: Aroma Siez, Pan Away and Purification.

Brenden, age 15, “After a long football practice, I like to use Aroma Siez and Pan Away to help keep my muscles from being so sore. It works so great! I also like to use Purification to keep my football bag, cleats, and gear from smelling like football gear. That is not a good smell! My mom helps me put cotton balls in my shoes and bag and uses the oils in my laundry. It really helps.”

Ashlyn

Ashlyn's fresh idea for concentration and quick cleaning fixes? Lemon.

Ashlyn, age 13, “I like lemon oil the best. It helps me concentrate and focus when I study. We diffuse it in our homeschool classroom and it’s especially great when I am taking tests. I also like to put it in my water. It’s really cool too, because lemon helps to take away stains and get sticky things out of the carpet and off counters. It’s a great dry erase board cleaner!  It’s an added bonus that it smells really fresh and clean as well!”

Kayden

Kayden's heart has been stolen by thieves. It's great to ward off germs.

Kayden, age 12, “Thieves oil is my favorite oil blend. Whenever I feel bad or start to feel bad, I like to rub Thieves on my feet to help me feel better. I also use it to sanitize my hands so I don’t get anyone else sick. It smells wonderful when we put some in the diffuser to help purify the air.”

Maegan

Meagan sleeps tight with the help of Dream Catcher. For a rough day, she reaches for Joy (of course).

Maegan, age 9, “My favorite oil is probably Dream Catcher because it helps me sleep really well and not have bad dreams. I used to get scared at night, but Dream Catcher helps me feel calm and not afraid. I also love Joy oil. I rub it on my chest and feet and back of my neck when I feel anxious and sad, and it really brings me JOY!”

Aspen

Aspen has discovered what makes lavender lovely. (And an important essential oils lesson).

Aspen, age 3, “I like to breathe the oils like this. I like the lavender oil on my feet when I get jammas on and I like it on my itchies when I get a s’quito bite. Oh, and we don’t put oils in our eyes!”

Oily Moms Sound Off: What’s Your Story?

So, in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, I thought I would share this testimony and some great advice from my kiddos with you. I pray you get the chance to connect with your kids this way. I hope we can learn together as Oily Moms and raise Oily Kids who are well-equipped to use the many resources God has given us!

As you celebrate Mother’s Day, I invite you to share a testimony here of how you use oils as an Oily Mom! If you want to learn more about how to use Young Living oils for your family, we would love to have you as part of the Tree of Life community!