If you Google, “ADHD natural remedies,” you’ll get over 7.5 million hits. This is a hot topic but that also means information overload.

When testing natural remedies for ADHD, here are some tips and tricks so you know if it’s actually working, and if it’s worth continuing to spend time and money on.

1. Start keeping a daily behavior journal that tracks circumstances, food intake, supplements given, and behaviors.

2. Choose your remedies based on well-documented research. Pubmed is your friend.

3. Make a list of things you would like to try. Then rank the list based on how big of an impact you think it will have and ease of access.

4. Only try ONE thing at a time and give it time to make a difference. I recommend trying something for at least a month.

5. At the end of the trial period, evaluate if it’s worth continuing, then move on the next thing.

[bctt tweet=”When testing natural remedies for ADHD, here are some tips and tricks so you know if it’s actually working, and if it’s worth continuing to spend time and money on. #adhd” username=”corkboardblog”]

Remember, you’re a great parent, doing great things!

DISCLAIMER: I’m not a medical doctor, nor is this meant to be medical advice. If you have specific questions about medication or interactions, please consult your medical professional.

Why are transitions hard?

Kids with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning. This includes managing time, planning, and organizing. They rely on predictability and routine to feel safe. A change in their daily routine increases anxiety until they adapt to the new schedule.

What should you be doing as summer break approaches?

First, recognize that this could be a challenging couple of weeks. Mentally preparing yourself is more than half the battle. Your child may sleep less, act out more, and be more emotional than normal. Keep some extra white space in your schedule to for decompression and extra meltdowns.

End-of-year activities mean that the school routine is being disrupted. As much as possible keep your home routine stable and predictable.

Create visuals to help your child better understand what is going on. We often make paper chains to countdown to a transition. A picture schedule for each day can also help reduce anxiety.

[bctt tweet=”Transitioning from the school routine to the summer can be hard on kids with ADHD. A little planning goes a long way. Read more . . . #parenthacks #adhd” username=”corkboardblog”]

Use Stabilizing Essential Oils to Help with the Transition

Stabilizing essential oils help steady the nerves. In other words, they encourage a person’s feelings and emotions to go from a rocking boat to solid ground. [1]

These oils have the chemistry that stabilizes feelings and mood:
Vetiver
Cedarwood
Sandalwood
Patchouli
Tumeric
Spikenard

Have your child choose one of the stabilizing essential oils to carry around in a personal inhaler. He can sniff it as often as he wants to help calm and ground his emotions. While you’re at it, choose one for yourself, too!

Summer Tips for Kids with ADHD

Summers have a reputation for being fun and carefree. However, kids with ADHD need structure to function well and feel safe. Consider adding simple routines and rituals to your summer. You can create daily routines such as breakfast, playground time, lunch, rest time, dinner, bedtime. Or weekly routines such as library on Mondays, playdates on Tuesdays, swimming on Wednesdays, and so forth. Planning a weekly meal calendar is helpful, too.

Be sure to include plenty of food, water, and sleep in your summer routine. I have to set a timer to make sure we eat and hydrate at least every 2 hours.

Lastly, be sure to schedule breaks for yourself. Have a list of accessible ways you can refill your bucket. Pair up with a friend to watch each other’s kids once a week. Hire a mothers helper. Plan some date nights.

You can’t control how your child will react to the upcoming transition to summer, but you can make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

Do you have a question about summer or a tip to share?
Join the conversation in our private Facebook support group.
Click here to join.

DISCLAIMER: Product links may be affiliate links which means that when you purchase through them, I may receive compensation.

References

[1] Hill, David, editor. The DoTERRA Essential Oil Chemistry Handbook. 2nd ed., view.joomag.com/ebooks-doterra-essential-oil-chemistry-handbook/0164882001518721621?short.

Everybody experiences stress from time to time. But adoptive and foster families experience unique challenges and stressors. There are also a lot of BIG feelings flying around our houses. While emotions are a natural response to the world around us, they need to be handled and addressed appropriately in order to maintain good mental health. There is a wide variety of essential oils to choose from when it comes managing emotions.

[bctt tweet=”#Essentialoils can help restore your emotional balance and improve your overall attitude in any situation” #momhacks username=”corkboardblog”]

What are essential oils?

They are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds which are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, protect plants, and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.

How do I use them?

Aromatically

Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports emotions, behavior, and memory.

Topically

Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils because they penetrate the skin. They can be used in therapeutic touch techniques that promote trust.

Internally

When ingested, essential oils directly enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Use this method sparingly and with caution.

Hack #1: Use them on yourself first

When I first heard of using essential oils for mood and emotions management for kids from hard places, I set out to try as many oils on my kids as possible. I was looking for that magic fix. Quite frankly, I didn’t care if they were on board.

But, we can only control ourselves.

And while that seems anti-climactic, research on mirror neurons tell us that if we’re regulated, our kids will be too.

Hack #2: Less more often

Essential oils are powerful ways to influence biological processes. Think of an oil experience as a mini-therapy session.

A couple minutes of aromatherapy every hour is more effective than a prolonged experience once or twice a day.

For the rest of the hacks, download the free e-book!

I’ve also heard that you all have extra essential oils laying around. Maybe you never opened your box or you bought some BOGOs and promptly forgot why.

Never fear! I’m here to help you get the most value out of your investment.

No matter which oils you have collecting dust in a box, you can pair them with some simple ingredients for useful gifts for everyone on your list!

Recipes for citrus and mint essential oils

Room Spray

1. Combine water and essential oil in an 8-ounce glass spray bottle or continuous mist sprayer.
   Tip: Use more or less essential oil to control the strength of the aroma.
2. Shake before each use.

Sugar Scrub

Instructions

1. Combine sugar and Fractionated Coconut Oil in bowl.
2. Divide mixture equally into two bowls.
3. In one bowl, add red skin safe food coloring.
4. Layer red and white scrub to create a ‘candy cane’ effect.

Recipe for floral essential oils

Bath Salt Ornaments

Instructions

1. Mix desired amount of Epsom salt in bowl and add some skin-safe colorant if desired
2. Add dried herbs or flower petals to mixture for color and added aroma
3. Add the essential oils of your choice; mix well
4. Add the bath salt to plastic ornaments until full
5. Once full, put the top of ornament back on
6. When ready to use, add desired amount to warm bath

Recipes for herbaceous essential oils

Dipping Oil

Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
1–3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar to taste
1 dried pepper (optional)
1–3 drops Oregano oil  (start with a toothpick and progress toward drops for desired flavor)

Instructions

1. Gently mix together all ingredients in a bowl large enough to dip into.
2. Dip favorite Italian style bread into bowl and enjoy.

Gift dipping oil with a loaf of no-knead bread. The dipping oil recipe calls for Oregano, but I’ve also used Rosemary, Basil, and Thyme.

What are your favorite DIY gifts? Comment below or post your ideas in our FB group.

Here are some reasons why we’re such fans of hand massage in our family:

1. Less triggering than affectionate touch. Warm touch stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin which enhances a sense of trust and attachment [1] and can be a crucial component of healing. However, for kids with attachment challenges, physical affection like hugs can actually be triggering rather than healing. My favorite hand massage technique, the AromaTouch® Hand Technique, is just clinical enough to not trigger while still delivering all the benefits of touch. For especially fragile kids, you may need to avoid eye contact while giving the massage.
2. Rhythmic and predictable. The realm of the unknown, even not knowing what will be served for dinner, can be dysregulating for kids from hard places. I love that the AromaTouch® Hand Technique is repetitive and is given the same way each time. It also has a clear beginning and an end, and it’s not too long. Once they’ve experienced one, kids can rely on the predictability and feel confident because they know exactly what to expect.
3. Calms the limbic system. Essential oils are an important part of the AromaTouch® Hand Technique. Smells are processed by the limbic system which is also the part of the brain that regulates emotions.[2] Adding essential oils to your hand massage increases its effectiveness for calming.
4. Portable. Hands are easy to access in public places and, while essential oils are part of the magic, the AromaTouch® Hand Technique can be given without any oil making it the perfect way to connect quickly on the go. In full disclosure, I actually carry my favorite blend, Balance, with me at all times so we can always get the extra benefit of aromatherapy with the massage technique. I’ve even offered hand massages to strangers in public places who look like they need a little TLC. Most of these encounters happen on airplanes.
5. Beneficial for both caregiver and child. Research by Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute, demonstrates that the person giving a massage experiences as great a reduction in stress hormones as the person on the receiving end [3]. I don’t know about you, but I need any and all opportunities to reduce my own stress hormones.

Because I know that connection needs to happen before correction, I’m endeavoring to create a habit of utilizing this hand massage technique as a buffer before I correct a behavior. Will you help hold me accountable to that? Pretty please? Ty thanks you. Speaking of Ty, here’s a video we created a while back to demonstrate the AromaTouch® Hand Technique.

*In full disclosure, the link to Balance is an affiliate link for my doTERRA business. I may earn commissions if you purchase from doTERRA using that link.

Our list of “things” (outside of the basic principles of trust-based parenting) has included diet, mindfulness, massage, oils, supplements, and medication.

Do you want to know the problem with using essential oils for challenging kids?

Just because you want them to work so bad, they will want NOTHING to do with them.

Do you want to know the secret about kids from hard places?

Their needs are complex and there’s no magic fix.

Tatoo it to your forehead. “There’s NO MAGIC FIX.”

Just because you want to try it, they will probably dig their feet in and hate it. Just because. And honestly, getting into a control battle with a kid to do something…even if it’s their magic fix…automatically makes it NOT the magic fix.

[bctt tweet=”There’s NO MAGIC FIX. #remindersformyself #parenting” username=”macorkum”]

P.S. I’m preaching this to myself because I’m the control queen and the queen of burning relationship bridges with my kids because I am trying to force a fix. Learn from my mistakes. Don’t be me.

However, despite the fact that oils weren’t the magic fix I was looking for, they were a magic fix for somebody else…me.

When I’d be chasing the kids around with a balancing blend, I realized, I wanted to smell it. I could feel the oils calming me down and helping me to access my other coping tools.

BONUS: Click HERE for an entire e-book on the science behind why oils work to manage our emotions. It’s really NOT all in your head…or is it?

I’ve said it before, and it’s worth saying again. “I cannot change my child, but I can change me…”

[bctt tweet=”I cannot change my child, but I can change me… #adoption” username=”macorkum”]

We can only control ourselves.

And while that seems anti-climactic, research on mirror neurons tell us that if we’re calm, our kids can calm by mirroring the calm in us.

What would happen if we had more tools as tired mamas to energize us, calm us, and literally manage our emotions from the inside out?

1. Less frustration.
2. More organization.
3. Less overwhelm.
4. More empowerment.
5. More connection.

My favorite way to have oils at my disposal all day long is diffuser jewelry. Essential Charms recently sent me a diffuser bracelet to review.

The “Ancient Agate” diffuser bracelet is handmade with premium, semi-precious 12mm Decorative Pattern Agate stones, 3 beige lava stones and a custom stainless steel cube.

Agate is known for its slow and steady healing properties and is said to bring harmony and balance to body, mind and spirit. Like lava stone, it has a grounding energy and will bring you strength and stability in times of need.

I asked for the small size and was pleasantly surprised when it actually fit my tiny wrists!

FAQs

How do I use diffuser jewelry with essential oils?

Just add a drop or two of your favorite oil to the porous lava beads. Give it a couple minutes to soak in so the oil won’t rub off of the beads and leave a mark on your sleeve. If that happens, just use this nifty stain roller and it will come right out.

Which oils do you recommend?

I recommend using the emotional aromatherapy wheel to choose your blend. We use the oils from doTERRA’s emotional aromatherapy kit everyday. If you’d like to know more about why I love these specific oils for weary mamas, contact me. I’d love to chat more. Just contact me.

How long will the aroma last?

Depending on the oil a couple hours to a full day.

Can I use a different oil each day?

Yes! You can use a different oil each time you add oils to your bracelet.

Where can I buy diffuser jewelry?

Essential Charms has kindly offered a discount for you awesome mamas. Just use the code CORK15 at check out for 15% your purchase. Essential Charms offers a wide variety of precious stone bracelets and diffuser charms for necklaces.

I’m parenting a challenging child a feel hopeless. What else can I do?

Join my FB parenting support group called Essentially Connected Parenting. My goal is to help you find hope again!

I received a free product in exchange for this post. However, I was using diffuser jewelry long before receiving a freebie and would still recommend it even without compensation. This post also contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 

I’m trying to be more of a minimalist so, of course, I threw away the box, instructions, and some tiny little brush minutes after breaking open my diffuser. No worries. You won’t need any of that.

You will need:

• water
• white vinegar
• 2 drops lemon
• 2 drops melaleuca

1. Dump out any residual water from the last time, if necessary. Pour away from any openings that lead to the precious circuit board. Getting water into those holes will mean certain death!
2. Fill your diffuser reservoir with equal parts vinegar and water. This isn’t an exact science, so feel free to eye-ball it.
3. Add 2 drops of lemon and 2 drops of melaleuca.
4. Run for about 1 minute. (Again, not rocket science.)
5. Turn off the diffuser and let it sit for 12 hours or overnight. Also, not rocket science. Basically, you just need to give the vinegar time to do it’s magic.

Other thoughts:

• I am NOT a fan of touching the ultrasonic disc with that cute little brush or cotton swap…even though some directions would state otherwise. I’ve never had to if I let the vinegar mixture sit for long enough.
• If the lid or other tiny parts that are not permanently connected to the base need something extra, try soaking them in a mixture of water and vinegar. These can be wiped clean with a soft cloth or cotton swab.
• Clean your diffuser about every month or as needed depending on your water quality and how much you diffuse.

Imagine this scenario with me. Husband (who sweats profusely when doing any physical activity) goes to hot yoga during lunch break. Husband puts clothes from hot yoga into backpack. Husband empties clothes from hot yoga into laundry hamper the next time he packs to go. He doesn’t go every day.

EWWW!

So your laundry might not be as ripe as 4-day-old hot yoga clothes, but we all have stinky laundry in some capacity. Even if you just leave your towels in the washer for days on end…because life.

I finally stumbled on a laundry routine that is consistently producing de-stinkified loads. Every. Time. #win.

1. Add 2 heaping scoops of OxiClean to your washer when you dump the clothes. Don’t be stingy.
2. Fill your detergent dispenser with my simple, no-need-for-a-5-gallon-bucket, borax-free laundry soap recipe. The new secret ingredient in the dōTERRA On Guard® Laundry Detergent . Between the enzymes and the germ-killing On Guard® essential oil, stink doesn’t have a chance.
3. Fill your liquid softener dispenser with white vinegar. You can also add additional essential oils here, but you don’t have to. Once the clothes are dry all the scent is pretty much gone anyway.
4. Run a looong wash cycle. The Oxi and soap needs a chance to work. I’ve tried shorter cycles and the stink isn’t gone yet. If you have a cycle that soaks the load first, awesome. Our washer doesn’t soak, but I run a cycle that lasts about 2 hours. We have an Eco Warm mode. I use that. I suggest warm if possible because the Oxi works better in warmer water. And no, I don’t sort colors and whites. It all goes in together.
5. Try to switch the load to the dryer as soon as you can after the wash cycle is finished. I’ve had about 2 hour lag time without the stink returning.

Go ahead! Try it. What do you think?

Do you remember when Stain Stick was a big thing? Do people still use that? We’re lucky clothes see the washing machine let alone get pre-treated.

Then recently someone mentioned on Facebook that Eucalyptus was a great oil for stain treatment. I was surprised that a quick Google search supported the claim. Try it.

Then I remembered a graphic (probably from Pinterest) where someone put dōTERRA’s laundry soap in a roller bottle as a DIY Stain Stick. Except this one is better because there are no nasty chemicals and it’s less expensive (a whopping $0.70 of product goes inside).

Then this cute little stain pre-treatment roller was born in our house. I kinda wish I had labelled it the Stain Eraser.

I used it as a giveaway during dōTERRA’s BOGO event last week. Everyone who didn’t win it wanted the recipe which is why I’m posting it here.

[bctt tweet=”This cute little stain pre-treatment roller was born in our house. Call him Stain Eraser.” username=”corkboardblog”]

Make One for Yourself

1. Label a 10mL roller bottle and seal label with clear packing tape. (This protects the label from probably spills along the way.)
2. Fill the roller bottle half way with doTERRA’s onGuard® Laundry Detergent.
3. Add 10 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil.
4. Top with water.
5. Shake gently.
6. Carry it around with you wherever you go and roll on dirty spots as they happen.
7. Launder the item as normal.*

*I posted a while back about my homemade laundry soap recipe. I still use it but add a teaspoon of the doTERRA’s onGuard® Laundry Detergent to each load that’s really dirty or stinky. The enzymes and extra On Guard make a HUGE difference.

Testimonial

The morning that I was concocting this roller, Mia noticed that our favorite feather down throw on the sofa had become someone’s napkin for Chinese food the night before. EWW!

I wish I had taken a picture, but like a third of one side of the blanket had greasy, saucy nastiness all. over. it. I set to work with my new stain eraser roller. Some of the marks literally disappeared as I was rolling. The rest I just rubbed the fabric together until the visible sauce spots were gone. The grease spots were harder to tell the status of. Then I threw the blanket in the hamper where it sat for another 3 days because that’s how laundry rolls in this house sometimes. Guys, I’m not kidding. There is not a single stain on that blanket!

Okay, some of you may be thinking you need doTERRA’s onGuard® Laundry Detergent and some Eucalyptus essential oil. No worries. I’m already doing a Customer Appreciation Wholesale Discount weekend where I’m letting folks order using my discount (25% off) as an expression of gratitude for being an awesome customer. I’m super thankful for blog readers, too! So the same offer is officially extended to you. If you want to order the detergent and Eucalyptus oil (or something else), just shoot me a message, and I’ll hook you up.

You know you’re a mosquito magnet when other people use you as their insect repellent. That would be me.

One summer, an Independence Day gathering, I was standing outside waiting for the fireworks so start when I announced that I was being eaten alive and would enjoy the show from indoors.

“I’m not getting bitten at all,” Hubby smuggly said.

5 minutes later. He comes inside.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“As soon as you came inside, I started getting eaten since you weren’t there.”

I’ve tried everything from deet-loaded sprays to Skin-S0-Soft, besides making my skin feel weird and killing brain cells with their stink, they are ineffective.

A couple summers ago, I started using this blend in a 10 mL roller bottle topped with carrier oil:

10 drops cleansing blend
10 drops eucalyptus
10 drops lemongrass
10 drops outdoor blend

Simply apply to back of neck, ankles, and knees, and inside your elbow crease. I love that I don’t have to spray my entire body down, and it smells amazing!

The best part is that even if you do get bit (because I still do occasionally), if you rub this blend on the bite as soon as you notice it, it will not itch! I carry it with me at all times.

As you can tell, I’m a faithful doTERRA user. The chemistry of essential oils varies from one geographic location to another, so I can’t speak to the effectiveness of this blend when using another brand.

If you don’t have a place to purchase doTERRA oils, I’ve love to help. We have an awesome team with exclusive discounts and product training. doTERRA does not authorize selling on Amazon, so for the love of your health, buy from any person in the world but not Amazon. I don’t say that lightly, because Amazon Prime and I are in a pretty committed relationship.

What is your go-to bug blend?