Natural, Impactful Upbringing
Impact
With an immense amount of responsibility as a nanny, my passion is driven by the chance to make a difference. I deeply invest in every aspect of a child’s life, even so far as becoming a member of the family. To all the parents, guardians, nannies, and friends/family- please never underestimate your impact on a child’s life.
Details matter: one of the most influential stages of childhood development is to study and copy actions. Our tendencies are learned. Why do we find comfort in foods that taste like “home”? Why are certain house-hold items “staples”? Our children absorb our actions as we thoughtlessly discard recyclable materials, mindlessly consume pills, or spray toxic chemicals in and around the home.
What if we took these developmental opportunities and used them to our advantage? What if we created a healthy, productive, and environmentally conscious space for our children that would influence who they will grow up to be? Think of the positive impact this would have, not only for our families, but for our future.
Here are a few of my favorite easy and affordable changes that I have implemented to positively influence the life of my little one.
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” -John Wooden
Cloth Napkins
Show children that reusable options are just as effective as disposable ones by replacing paper products with reusables to reduce waste. This eco friendly swap has allowed us to transition from purchasing disposable paper products- including paper towels, cleaning wipes and napkins to only using reusable wipes and unpaper towels.
By being in a household that is eco conscious, children learn to independently grab one of these for a variety of needs- cleaning up spills, or at mealtime to clean their hands and face, rather than tugging on the paper towel roll, making more of a mess and waste. It will allow them to be conscious of their actions.
Young Living Veggie Wash and Thieves Household Cleaner
Fill your home with all natural, clean products free from toxins, and invite your children to assist with any task, without concern. A few of my favorite Young Living household products to use with children are the Thieves Fruit and Veggie Wash and Thieves household cleaner. The entire Thieves product line is free from: Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS), Parabens, Triclosan, Phalates, Phosphate, dyes, Synthetic Ingredients, Preservatives, Perfumes, and Formaldehyde, so you can feel confident having your child help with anything you are doing.
Children love being involved, so allowing them to spray the strawberries with fruit and veggie wash, or wipe down the counter with Thieves cleaner- will not only help you, but give them a sense of purpose and gain independence!
DIY hand soap Refill
Buying items in bulk, and using simple DIY recipes around the house are great ways to show children how to reduce waste, and be aware of the ingredients in the products of your home. Toxic chemicals and fragrance can lead to many serious health concerns and aren't worth exposing yourself or your children to. It is easy to refill items such as foaming hand soap in a glass mason jar with a few clean ingredients. These items can also be purchased in large quantities to lessen the amount of waste associated with single use plastic, like the bottle hand soap comes in.
Foam Hand Soap Recipe
In a 16 oz mason jar combine:
⅓ cup of Dr. Bronner’s unscented Castile Soap
15 drops of choice Young Living essential oils
1 Tablespoon choice organic carrier oil (I use coconut oil)
Top with distilled water slowly
Place foam soap top on and enjoy!
Young Living Owie Essential Oil
Incorporating Young Living essential oils into a daily routine can have numerous benefits. They allow us to support our immune systems naturally, and provide support to any area needing relief. The Young Living Kidscents Owie blend is a favorite of mine for children. It is already prediluted, and ready for application for littles. This makes it the perfect oil for children to apply onto any boo boos independently with your supervision.
This essential oil blend contains idaho balsam fir, tea tree, helichrysum flower, elemi, cistus, honiki, and clove bud oil. Each essential oil in this blend is mindfully chosen for their skin supporting properties.
DIY Essential Oil Infused Playdough
Choose to spend more quality time with your children doing activities that allow them to be a part of an experience. With less focus on the newest plastic toy, they will have memories learning together. If you can make it at home, why not try? Playdough bought from a store can be filled with questionable ingredients- including fragrance, and artificial coloring sold in a plastic cup. Give this recipe a try from Oil + Glass using natural ingredients, coloring sourced from plants and Young Living essential oils.
Essential Oil infused Play Dough Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 tsp cream of tartar
⅓ cup salt
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
Natural food coloring
10 drops of choice Young Living Essential oils
Preparation:
In a saucepan, combine all dry ingredients. Add water and vegetable oil. Over medium to low heat, stir mixture until it thickens (approximately 2-3 minutes). Lumps can be worked out by hand. Continue to stir until play dough begins to gather around the spoon. Remove from heat. Knead out any remaining lumps. Separate the play dough into individual balls. Add natural food coloring and essential oils. Smell often.
We chose Lavender essential oil, for a calming playdough.
Set the example for children, whether it's using a cloth napkin or refilling the hand soap with a homemade recipe- they see you. You are establishing what is “normal” for them.
Question what was wired within you because change starts there.
We are Creating the Future
We have one chance to make the most of our time, to make a difference and influence what will become the future.