Many children have anxieties about going to bed, from fearing monsters in the closet to worrying about witches in the hallway. There’s a variety of ways to help children work through these fears (as many ways as there are children, I suspect). One idea that I’ve read about is “Monster Away Spray.” This is a magical potion that you can mix up at home to repel monsters (or other scary things). Below is a basic recipe for this potion.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups distilled water
- 1/2 cup witch hazel (with alcohol). This helps everything stay mixed up and keeps witches away!
- 20-25 drops essential oil of choice
When it comes to the essential oil, lavender is a great choice. Aromatherapy with lavender can improve sleep quality and promote relaxation. You can combine lavender with chamomile, sage or sweet orange oils.
Combine all the ingredients in a 16 oz. spray bottle, and label it “Monster Away Spray.” If the scent is too strong, add more water. If it is not strong enough, add more essential oils. When getting ready for bed, give the bottle a few good shakes and spray anywhere monsters might hide. Have your children help with spraying the repellent. This helps them be proactive about conquering their fears, which can make for a better night’s sleep.
Try chanting this rhyme while shaking and applying the spray:
“Monster, monster go away,
in this room you cannot stay.
monster, monster get out of here,
with this spray I have no fear!”
You can also read these monster books to learn about making friends with monsters and the bedtime routine of monster children.
Photo credit: Isaac giving the money tree a good squirt with the spray bottle via Flickr (license).
