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!