School Stressors: Help is on the way…
With the start of school, there’s all kinds of stressors for kids. doTerra Essential Oils can help in fun ways. First, let’s talk a bit about back to school stressors.
One of the primary stressors for kids as they return to school is academic pressure. The fear of not performing well, understanding new material, or meeting the expectations of teachers and parents can be a significant source of stress. Social challenges can be a collection of stressors from cyberbullying to wanting to conform to an addition to screen time. Concerns about making friends, fitting in, dealing with peer pressure, or facing bullying are common social stressors for all school kids. For some children, navigating social hierarchies and building relationships can be overwhelming. Adjusting to a new school, new classrooms, different teachers, and unfamiliar routines can cause anxiety. Even if the school is the same, transitioning to a new grade level can bring about stress. Kids have a lot to manage day in and day out.
It’s probably fair to say that time management is a stressor for everyone, but for students who lack good organizational skills, time management can become overwhelming. There’s balancing homework, extracurricular activities, and leisure time can be difficult, especially for children who have busy schedules or struggle with time management.
Of course, younger children, particularly those in early grades or preschool, might experience anxiety about being away from home or their parents. For others, stress includes the uncertainty about what the new school year will bring, such as the difficulty of the curriculum or the attitudes of new teachers, can cause anxiety. Fear of being bullied, either physically or emotionally, is a significant stressor for many children, as are worries about health issues, such as the possibility of getting sick or dealing with existing health conditions, can be a source of stress, especially in a school environment.
These stressors can vary in intensity depending on the child’s age, personality, and previous experiences. Here are some tools you can use to help your child manage school stressors that come with a new school year.
Encourage you child to talk about their feelings and experiences. Regularly ask them about their day, what they are excited or worried about, and listen without judgment. This helps them feel understood and supported.
Create consistent routines at home, especially around homework, bedtime, and morning activities. Predictability can reduce anxiety and help children feel more in control.
Help children develop good time management skills by creating schedules for homework, playtime, and extracurricular activities. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and prioritize assignments to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Ensure children get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and engage in regular physical activity. These habits are crucial for their overall well-being and can reduce stress.
Teach children how to approach challenges by breaking them down, considering possible solutions, and taking action. This empowers them to handle stressors more effectively.
Support your child in building and maintaining friendships. Encourage participation in group activities, clubs, or sports to help them feel connected and less isolated. Be watchful of bully behaviors. Keep an open dialogue to talk about bullying.
Help children set realistic academic and personal goals. Encourage them to do their best, but also reassure them that it’s okay not to be perfect. Celebrate their efforts rather than just their outcomes.
Manage your child’s screen time, Internet access, and contacts. A good resource to learn more is The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt.
doTERRA to the Rescue!
Using essential oils with kids can be a fun and safe activity to bring wellness to children in many ways. It’s time dedicated to sharing ideas and building conversations while building some fun essential oil products. Along the way, your kids will learn a little science, work on their communication and math skills, and enjoy the benefits of doTERRA Essential Oils. Here are some of my favorite child DIYs. Have fun!
Tip: Set aside mobile devices and give your full attention to each other.
Foaming Hand Soap
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unscented liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon Fractionated Coconut Oil
10 drops favorite essential oill
Water
Note: Use child friendly essential oils, such as bergamot.
Instructions
Pour castile soap and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bottle.
Add essential oils.
Slowly add water into bottle, making sure to leave room for the foaming pump.
Add lid, shake, and you are good to go!
When ready to use, just pump one to two times into hands and wash with warm water.
Bubble Bath
IIncluding an essential oil in bath time is a wise choice when you want to create a specific atmosphere. For example, for a relaxing bath, use Lavender or doTERRA Serenity® essential oil. For a rejuvenating bath, use Citrus Bliss® to wake up.
Ingredients
1 cup unscented castile soap
½ cup vegetable glycerin
2 tablespoons water
15 drops preferred doTERRA essential oil
Instructions
Combine castile soap, glycerin, and water into glass bowl.
Add essential oils.
Stir until well combined.
Pour into glass container.
To use, add ¼–½ cup of the essential oil bubble bath mixture to warm, running bath water.
Note: These bubbles are not going to provide big fluffy bubbles that last a long time since it doesn't contain the synthetic ingredients that create the high amounts of lather or foam. However, this chemical-free bath will provide enough bubbles for a relaxing bath you will enjoy even more.
Natural Shampoo for Kids
If you've ever wondered what all those extra ingredients are in your child's shampoo, this DIY might be right for you. Infused with Lavender oil, this natural shampoo recipe helps cleanse and soothe the scalp—perfect for little ones with sensitive skin.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup liquid castile soap
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
10–15 drops Lavender essential oil
Instructions
Pour water into a glass pump bottle.
Add liquid castile soap. Note: This ingredient is cleansing and helps give the shampoo its suds. If you're unable to find castile soap, opt for another natural liquid soap.
Add glycerin. Note: Glycerin is a great inclusion as it helps hair retain moisture in the shaft, and provide a glossy shine.
Add Lavender oil. Note: Lavender is a gentle addition that helps soothe skin.
Shake glass bottle until all ingredients are mixed thorougly.
Lather a pump or two of this mixture into your child's hair at bath time.
Shake well before each use.
Play Dough
Entertain your kids this school year by turning after school time into learning time by making aromatherapy play dough! This activity is a great way for children to learn about aromatherapy and essential oils. Use a variety of oils and colors to help kids learn new scents. Some fun essential oils could include: Wild Orange, Peppermint, Lemon, Rosemary, or Lavender essential oil.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 cups colored water
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
5 drops of essential oils
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, except for essential oils, in a large saucepan and stir until combined.
Once combined, put over medium heat. Using a spatula, continue to stir ingredients together until it forms a ball. Note: Don’t overcook as it will lead to dry play dough.
Remove from heat and cool on parchment paper.
Once cool, add five drops of your favorite essential oil and knead until thoroughly combined.
You’re done! Just store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for months of fun.