
We've been quarantined for 5 months and our nerves are frayed. We've had a shortage of toilet paper and eggs and can't eat out at restaurants. The summer travel list was a bust, and it's time for students to resume their learning. Public school executives are working a plan to get teachers and students safely back into classrooms, but keep pushing back the start date. Parents may not have gotten much of a break from their children to sweeten the bond. And it looks like school will begin at home, just like it ended in the Spring.
This time is stressful for parents and caregivers; because in the normal rhythm of life, we'd be sending our kids off to well-equipped teachers in classrooms in a school building. I understand many families choose to send their children to private school or already home school, either way, it's important to have an effective bedtime routine. Letting the brain rest is important to learning and emotional well-being.
So, there are several clean Young Living products you can incorporate into your nightly routine (it's cheaper to acquire them on the monthly subscription plan with Essential Rewards.) These tools are especially for the crisis home school parent or caregivers, the children who are ready to return to their classrooms but cannot, and for younger siblings at home in the mix. Get one or two items a month or incorporate them into your life as you can.
At least two weeks before the first day of school and the kid's classroom conference calls begin, it's important to establish a good school sleep routine. You know, that means beginning the bath routine earlier than during the summer, but Young Living has created a new product to assist. So, 30-45 minutes before bed, give the 4 year old and up kids an UnWind packet to dissolve in their mouths. While it works it's magic, make it reading time with their favorite night time books. Set a timer and this way, you'll stay on track and the timer can be the "bad guy." Expect negotiations to become less and less as you use this product consistently.
Then it's off to the bathroom for a bath with KidScents Bath Gel, this is a toxic free gel that won't disrupt your growing children's hormones. Playing in the warm bath is therapy for most children and playing with their favorite toys is a ritual they can create. Be smart about setting an alarm again (maybe 10-15 minutes per child), it can be set to indicate hair washing time after body washing & play. Wash their hair with KidScents Shampoo because it has no mineral oils, synthetic perfumes, no artificial colors, and has natural aloe, MSM, Chamomile, Tangerine and Lemon therapeutic grade essential oils that clean effectively and gently without causing irritation.
Teach them to respond the way you need when they can hear the timer go off and learn to regulate themselves to wrap up play time in the bath, it's a process, have grace for yourself and them. Of course you have to stagger the time if you are sharing the bathroom. And some kids take showers, the same bath gel and shampoo products work until they are tweens. Then they can move over to Young Livings Bath and Shower Gel, bar soap and hair products like the Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner. If they take a shower in the morning, I recommend the Lavender Mint shampoo instead. That goes for Mom and Dads too!
Once dry, either you or have them apply KidScents Lotion (or Seedlings Baby Lotion or even Seedlings Baby Oil) to their skin. For the younger students, this gives you an opportunity to give them a quick massage. Their muscles, tendons and ligaments are growing fast and their emotions are too, especially during this pandemic! One of the best things we can do is create a stable routine for them to feel secure and bedtime is a wonderful time for this! We have our great Hand & Body Lotions for tweens and up to use since their bodies are changing too and they don't need toxic, petrochemicals and synthetic ingredients on their skin.
Next, give them a KidScents Mighty Pro packet to dissolve in their mouths to support their gastrointestinal and immune health and aid in learning. Studies are showing gut health directly effects our brain health. So, once they figure out they get one or two treats at bedtime, it may sweeten the deal for weary parents who need some alone time! Kids who can swallow a capsule (helps to put chin to chest) can take our Life9 probiotic that you store in your fridge after opening.
If they can, have the elementary students drop sleep enhancing essential oils from your starter kit, like Lavender or Stress Away, into their Feather the Owl Diffuser and start it. We have several diffusers for parents and teens rooms.
Now it's time to brush their teeth (only the ones they want to keep is what I'd tell Emily) with KidScents Toothpaste. By now, they should be unwound and ready for bed. If they want, they can spray the Seedlings Calm Linen Spray or a DIY Pillow Spray on their pillow (Visit my Pinterest Board of YL DIY Sprays for recipe ideas.) Sing a song and say a prayer and do the things they like before you leave the dark room. Hopefully this will aid you in your bedtime routine and become a habit your children look forward to. I hope you begin of the crisis home schooling semester off on the right foot, with Young Living products to assist you.
By the way, if anyone is struggling to breathe freely, try our new Thieves Chest Rub. Use the hands free applicator to put a bit on their chest to keep those airways open as they slumber.
May your night time routine catch on quickly and empower you to spend time with your significant other!
Note: As your Young Living Sponsor for substitution ideas if a product is out of stock. If that's me, shoot me a text!