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Most children resist bedtime. They fight it with everything they have making excuses for needing a glass of water, seeing a shadow, hearing a noise, having a tummy ache, needing to use the bathroom and the millions of other countless excuses to NOT sleep.
I commonly hear: “Mom, I’m not tired!”
OR
“Mom, I don’t want to go to bed, 10 more minutes!”
Yes, 10 minutes that will quickly turn into 30 minutes. I put the kids to bed at 8 p.m. and they’ll finally be to sleep at what 9 p.m. because of the ups and downs, excuses and non-stop resistance.
Seeing that I have sleepy time issues I can relate to their having issues shutting down – it isn’t easy!
Sleepy Time Spray for Kids
Today at my acupuncture appointment I received some excellent advice – to make a homemade sleepy time spray. During my acupuncture treatment Helen often sprays aromatherapy sprays and they seem to work, I feel relaxed, calm or whatever it is I’m supposed to be feeling. I like them.
So I asked how I can make one to help my children calm down and getting ready to sleep.
She suggested a simple lavender essential oil mixed with rubbing alcohol. That is all there is to it. I could not believe it.
How To Make Your Own Sleepy Time Spray
Now you know the secret, you might be wondering how you actually go about making the spray. Here is what I do:
- Mix one small spray bottle with 5-15 drops of lavender essential oil (pure and organic is preferred).
- Mix with rubbing alcohol, dilute if you desire (but it is was not recommended)
Why Use Rubbing Alcohol?
I was told the rubbing alcohol will dissipate when you spray the mix and only the lavender scent will remain.
The rubbing alcohol also acts as a preservative so that the spray mix lasts longer and stops you from having to make the spray more often.
Does The Sleepy Time Spray Work?
We tried this at our house and I am actually surprised to say that it really is calming.
However, when you share the news with your kids they act the opposite of everything you say. They get goofy. They act silly and pretend to magically sleep.
When the goofy stuff wears off, they really do rest easy. They calmed. We all calmed.
So, in short, it worked.
Some Advice On Using Sleepy Spray With Kids
After using this spray for a while, I thought I would share my advice with you based on experience.
- Make it habit and it will help over the long run
- If you want to avoid all the silliness when they are told about it: spray it on their pillow or pajamas without telling them. The more you make it a “big deal” the sillier they act and even though it works, they’ll act like it won’t!
Even if you don’t believe in such things, like I didn’t, give it a shot if you have problems calming your kids for sleep. After all, you have nothing to lose and only more quiet time and sleep for yourself to gain, right?
And let me know how you get on in the comments below.
LOVE this! My husband needs this too!
It really does work Caroline! I spray it on my feet and my pillow. So EASY to make!
How much rubbing alcohol is needed?
Have you tried vodka or everclear instead of rubbing alcohol? It often is nice because it has less of a smell than rubbing alcohol.
I will have to give this a try Lisa! Thanks!
How much rubbing alcohol is used?
I use just a drop or two. Not much!