It’s summertimeeeee and the living is…weird! It’s uncertain + strange and gosh, I think we can all agree it’s a summer we will never forget.
And while the kids and I are mostly hanging in the backyard these days (if we’re not staying inside so I can try + get some packing done [send help!]) instead of our typical park-hopping, splash pad enjoying + camping trips—it’s reassuring to have a few products in my back pocket that help with those summertime boo-boos.
Here are a few of our Summertime Essentials to ensure my kiddos can run wild + free and this mama can help them feel better quicker and heal those bumps and ouchies quickly—so they can get back to that mud pit they’ve decided to create in our back lawn…
I’m a huge essential oil lover as a lot of y’all know + for those pesky mosquitos, I’m often spraying myself and the kiddos with our “BYE BUGS” spray (it’s a blend of Citronella + Lemongrass + Geranium with witch hazel and distilled water + it’s fantastic [please do your EO research re: safe usage with children/pregnancy/breastfeeding!])—but I know that when we are on our family camping trips in deeeeeep woods/where all the bugs live, sometimes we need a bit more oomph.
This is where The Great Outdoors Insect Repellent for Kids comes in! It helps to keep those pesky bugs away with a low-level DEET formula for those kiddos who need short-term protection. I will use a very small amount of this spray on my eldest + apply on his clothes should he need it and it really does work incredibly well. And I’m thrilled he doesn’t have to spend the rest of his night scratching and laying away because of the mosquito itch (ugh, y’all know what I’m talking about!).
I’ve mentioned electrolytes a lot over here and allll over social but I can honestly + truly say, they have changed the game for me in the wellness game—in every season but especially in hot summer weather. When my kids have been playing outside for awhile or it’s humid, or even when they wake up + I can tell they are thiiiiiirsty, I will make them an electrolyte drink with ice + they will happily enjoy it! I also make sure to make myself a big cup too because, hello, I need all the hydration these days too. My favourites are Dr. Price’s (omgggg gimme the pomegranate açai flavour!) + Dr. Berg‘s (the raspberry lemon is so yummy!).
Sooo do y’all remember when you first got your ears pierced (or belly button, weird that I still miss that piercing, ha!) + Bactine was your bestie!? Well, guess what—it’s still up there in my BFF category because not only does this NOT STING (yaaaaasssss!) but it helps to relieve the pain and itch of minor bites, cuts, scrapes, burns on contact WHILE preventing skin infections! I mean, sign me up! As a mama, I am thrilled to know that this will help my kiddos quickly (hello spray!) + help keep all infection and germs at bay!
Okay so, I’m obsessed with this product because I’m a firm believer in the power of Arnica—I took Arnica tablets after Thomas’ birth and I can honestly say, that is one powerful + magical homeopathic medicine! Hylands is one of my favourite brands because I feel 100% safe using these products on my children—I love the Hylands Bumps n’ Bruises tablets so much! George and Eloise are very wild and crazy kids sometimes + their knees are skinned and they have bruises on their elbows from crawling in the backyard like the Kratts brothers. One minute they’re fine and the next, well, there’s a boo-boo. These tablets instantly dissolve under their tongue and help to relieve pain, swelling, bruising and soreness. I love that it is a safe, gentle, and all-natural formula that no contains no artificial flavours, dyes, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Aspirin. I’m telling you, this is the bomb dot com.
Bugs creep me out. And bugs in hair makes me want to puke. Even just the notion of head lice makes me want to jump in the shower and shave my head—I know, dramatic. But for real, I am pretty vigilant in my inspection of lice or ticks on my kiddos + I’m grateful for Shield’s Leave-In Detangling Spray because not only does this detangle Ellie’s hair but it also adds that extra protection against lice! It is formulated with natural aromatherapy oils which helps to repel lice and creepy crawlers! And another mama tip—add a few drops of tea tree oil to your little one’s baths to really kill those buggies!
And you seriously can’t go wrong with a freezer stocked with popsicles + a dreamy essential oil blend in the diffuser to keep the summertime vibes nice and relaxed—we always have banana popsicles in the freezer for when someone is not feeling well or has a serious ouchie or needs a reset—true story, before kids, if Aaron was ever not feeling well, he’d often ask me to grab him a banana popsicle + since then it was always our go to and we carried that into our family, and it works! Anddd if you’re an oily gal like me + are looking for a super dreamy summertime blend to throw in your diffuser—my favourite is Peace & Calming, Orange, and Stress Away. It smells like a lazy Sunday afternoon (and to really elevate that summer vibe, throw on a classic summer movie!)
I hope y’all stay safe + have a wonderful second half of the summer—full of BBQ, sunshine, laughter + community. Andddd I hope this list gives you a few ideas of some new tools for that mama tool belt of yours! I know I take all the hell + recommendations I can ;)
XO
This post is in partnership with Brill Communications. Thank you for supporting the brands that support our blog. All opinions are my own.