AT HOME, OK, BUT HELPING TOO!

Positive children with aromatherapy

Discover how to motivate your children with aromatherapy so that they help with housework while having fun

By Maribel Saiz Cayuela, B.S. BIOLOGY, PGD. DIETETICS and NUTRITION. Expert in SCIENTIFIC AROMATHERAPY

Activating the motivation of our children so that they help with housework is not easy sometimes. Life is full of all kind of moments and it’s the parent’s role to raise children’s awareness. Encouraging children’s collaboration at home is also part of their education and it helps them be aware that not everything is so easy. There’s always someone who does all the donkey work. For everyone’s wellbeing, it’s fine to instill the idea that they should help with housework: first with small things and then taking responsibility for their own things and for other tasks. The spirit of collaboration isn’t very common in many families. Children are focused on their homework and it’s like you couldn’t ask them to do anything else. Trying to involve them in learning things that adults usually do could also be considered a challenge and then, when we meet the challenge, we get a positive idea of ourselves.

It’s a good time to think about it at home. What’s the common good? Why is beneficial and for what? We’ve to do things that go beyond ourselves, beyond our personal universe. First, we’ll meet challenges for a small community, the family, but then that teaches us how to face bigger challenges, such as the current one. We need everybody’s collaboration, but not only that! All of us can do something to stop the #covid19 pandemic.

This morning, when I woke up, I saw my son worried about all homework he has to do alone at home and I told him: “You know, I think all of us should wonder: What can I do in this situation? And you, what could you do? Yes, you, as you are, with all you know… And not only that, with everything you are, think what you should do. Once you know it, just do that! People need that. I’d like you think about it and, if you want to share it with me, I’ll be there.” I firmly believe all of us can do something. We don’t need to be brilliant scientists, doctors or politicians… Simply from what we are and what we know, we can do something, I’m completely sure about it.

We have to try our children visualize an objective beyond themselves. They are fighting for all of us, for a common good, and they can do that with something as simple as taking care of themselves and helping with housework at home. It’s a real challenge.

We can think of a game for the little ones. What would we like to build and what’s the objective? It reminds me of The Pied Piper of Hamelin by the Brothers Grimm, don’t you? Maybe it’s time to remember this story… A story that is about trust and distrust, necessity and dependence, going back on your word, revenge, sham, complacency and fear. Fear of disease and of losses caused by rats; fear of losing the power by the town council and the mayor, who didn’t hesitate to let a stranger solve the problem for them and then avoid paying him and thus appear before the citizens as the winners; fear of not getting their children back, for which they can’t do anything. And to remember that, they banned music in the street through which their children disappeared.

And for the oldest, you can generate a discussion. We should wonder: What can I do? That will arise all the answers that maybe are a limit for our real possibilities as human beings. Recognizing that let us be open to new way to face the circumstances and, what’s more important, to motivation. I can do something, even if it means to stay at home and help my parents with housework, among many other things. Obviously! We have a goal as a community and if we achieve it, it let us awaken feelings like sympathy and love for others.

OK, and now you may be wondering… What does aromatherapy have to do with this?

The aromatic molecules of some therapeutic essential oils, when inhaled, are able to stimulate our ability to share, to be open to enjoy, to have fun and to be motivated to do things in a positive way. That’s the case of sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis), an essence obtained by pressing sweet orange peels that provide us energy and a positive attitude towards life. These characteristics are called psycho-aromatherapeutic. That is, these essential oils have effects on our thoughts and emotions. Orange peel essence is the star to activate a positive view of things and a positive attitude towards life in general.

How can I use it?

The best way is using an essential oil diffuser or humidifier. Add 2 ml of this essence into it and diffuse in 15-20 minute periods while you do activities together. It is also perfect when you have to change your strategy to face some issues, such as housework, or your negative thoughts, reticence, convictions and beliefs that are a limit for you.

If you don’t have a diffuser, you can add 10-20 drops to a bottle of neroli (orange blossom) floral water and spray this blend throughout your home. Remember to shake the blend before its diffusion.

I firmly believe that using sweet orange essence (Citrus sinensis) will be very useful these days to enhance our positive view of life.

#stayathome

Enjoy the aromatherapy experience.

Maribel Saiz Cayuela

B.S. BIOLOGY, PGD. DIETETICS and NUTRITION. Expert in SCIENTIFIC AROMATHERAPY