Keep calm…Benny on!
Special needs parenting is hard. I thought I would mention that just in case no one already knew this just by observing the brightly lit chaos surrounding our everyday life. Most people that venture into our home, and notice the ever ready on-demand coffee made, acknowledge immediately that, indeed, we, the Benny people, depend heavily on the brew made from beans.
Keeping calm…Benny-ing on is harder than it looks.
I realized on one especially exhausting day that we could not keep going without getting Benny on some kind of calming meds. Something to slow him down in his over the top energetic outbursts. With all my heart I did not want to put him on anything that would dull his amazing character, or take away his joyful presence. Just something to curb his enthusiasm, not kill it!
And so it came to pass that I began to educate myself on oils. Or should I say, my daughters began informing me? They became interested for me, because of my lung issues, and because of Benny and his tendency to be wild. 🙂 (More on my respiratory issues in a later post.)
I climbed on the train.
You could say I boarded the train out of sheer desperation. With my guards firmly in place, I put in my first order and skeptically received my starter kit. I quickly learned all the calming oils and began diffusing Frankincense, Lavender, and Stress Away. I couldn’t tell much of a difference in Benny. Someone suggested putting them directly on his feet. What? Crazy people. But what if it could help?
I created a Benny recipe and began applying it on the bottoms of his feet, his wrists, and the back of his neck. The difference is undeniable and miraculous. He has calmed down a lot and even takes naps. Benny naps are a lifesaver! He is not dulled in character or the absolute joy of life. When he is overstimulated by too much action, he still shrieks with happiness and laughter but he is easier to calm down. All around, our life is slowly becoming less chaotic. I think. Gulp. Who am I kidding, it is certainly not perfect, but more attainable?
I am beyond thankful for being introduced to these little drops of gold, dating back to the Bible. Genesis 1:29, Revelation 22:2, Ezekiel 47:12.
Essential oils are the fragrant essences that are made in plants. When essences are extracted from plants, they become essential oils.
Here is the recipe I made for Benny. I call it Benny-otion:
12 drops Frankincense, 8 drops Lavender, 8 drops Stress-Away, 1/4 teas carrier oil. I put it all in a roller bottle and carry it with me wherever we go and apply as needed.
In all that we do, we strive to KEEP CALM AND BENNY ON!
Want to get started on your own oil journey? Click the link to get started with your own starter kit! Got questions? Shoot me an email!
