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In an effort to protect my children against diseases passed around by insects, I need non-toxic insect repellent options that don’t cause a host of other health concerns.

As the weather heats up, the bugs come out, and in the south, they bite…A LOT.

And if you dare go outside in the evenings, or after it rains, you can guarantee that someone in your group is coming back with bites.

My husband is a farmer, and our family spends a significant amount of time outdoors, especially during summer break. We also have two farm dogs that love to patrol the farm and run into the woods.

So not only do we have to protect ourselves against mosquitos, but also ticks.

When I was growing up, I remember being told that you didn’t have good bug spray unless it contained DEET. Now we know that children with DEET toxicity reported some concerning physical ailments like headaches, tremors, seizures and more.

Since my family is on a journey to wellness, finding non-toxic insect repellent options has been important to us. Here are a few great brands that provide protection against insects:

Young Living

When I was looking for non-toxic insect repellent options, Young Living was my first choice. Their seed to seal promise is that you only get the best ingredients derived straight from plants.

Young Living makes two insect repellent options–a liquid as well as wipes. The insect repellent is made of sesame seed oil, vitamin E oil and a blend of other oils. That’s it!!

The application is smooth, non-greasy and has a pleasant smell. Most importantly, it’s DEET free!

Want to know more about my essential oils journey and why I’m so passionate about it for my family? Read more here.

Hello Bello

Hello Bello is a new brand that launched earlier this year by actress Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard. What I love about this brand is that they are dedicated to having safe, clean options for children at an affordable price.

They products are plant based, and their bug spray is no exception. I love that you can visit the website and see a list of all the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going on your child’s skin.

And their ingredients are organic!

California Baby

California Baby products are a little on the pricey side, but their products are vegetable and plant based, so there is no soy, nut oils, gluten or dairy. Their products contain organic and sustainably grown products, so you get what you pay for.

BabyOrganics

Baby Organics is a great option for non-toxic insect repellant & they make so many other great baby products. It’s DEET free, smells great and is easy to apply. And their products are not animal tested.

Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees is such a great brand. I started using them when my husband first became a farmer. Their products are great for adults and children.

If you love the smell of honey and natural ingredients, then you will love the scent of their products. Their non-toxic insect repellent was made in North Carolina and contains rosemary oil.

If you need a more comprehensive list of brands that provide non-toxic options for skin and hair, then I’ve got you! Check out the Curly Hair & Skin Guide for Babies and Toddlers.

I’ve been a middle school counselor for the past 8 years and I absolutely love working with preteens and teenagers.

When people find out that I work in a middle school, they shake their head and tell me that they feel sorry for me and there’s now way they could deal with the drama and hormones.

What I personally love about middle schoolers is the evolution I see in their personalities when they enter as timid 6th graders, and leave as confident 8th graders.

While there is definitatly not shortage of he say/she say drama, social media wars & hormonal breakdowns, I love offering support to my students.

Middle school is such a tricky time, and they need support from adults, but often don’t know how to ask. Here are a few reasons you can’t get anything out of your middle school child:

They Think You Don’t Understand

Kids often forget that their parents were once kids too. Even though times have changed, there are some experiences that don’t change.

They Think You’re Too Busy

Most families are now 2 parent working households. Parents are working longer shifts, and often parents pass each other like ships in the night.

I can’t tell you how many times kids don’t bring things back signed because their parent that worked the night shift was exhausted and they didn’t want to bother them.

I always encourage my students to talk to their parents about things that are bothering them, but they afraid that they will get in trouble for interrupting their parents while they are working on other things.

They Think You Don’t Care

Teenagers can be dramatic. They can take small things and turn them into earth shattering moments. But those moments are important to them.

Once I told one of my students that I didn’t want to see her back in my office with any nonsense. The next time a teacher brought her to talk to me, she had major attitude. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that I told her not to come back. I told her what I meant was I didn’t want to have to talk to her about drama that she brought on herself. I didnt mean that she couldn’t come and talk to me. I was shocked because that student and I have a good rapport.

It’s easy to mistake maturity for adulthood. Just because your child is responsible, doesn’t mean that they don’t still need you.

They Don’t Have the Words

My five year old still has tantrums on ocassion. When I see her melting down, I remind her to use her words. When my girls start fussing with each other and whining to me, I remind them to speak clearly and use their words.

When kids get older, we stop coaching them on how to express their feelings.

The teen years is when they really need our help the most! They are navigating a host of new experiences, and often struggle with articulating their feelings. And they often feel ashamed about what they feel.

So how can I get my child to open up and talk to me?

It really isn’t as difficult as you think…trust me…I do this everyday.

Ask Your Middle School Child Specific Questions

Not just yes or no questions. And not just how was your day. Dig deeper. Ask your middle school child who they ate lunch with. Ask what the highlight of their day was. Ask who their favorite teachers are.

The more you ask, the more you know.

And the more your child knows you care.

Sure, they may act like they don’t want you up in their business, but I can promise you that they secretly like it.

Invite Their Friends Over

Are you curious about how you child acts in school? Take some time to meet the kids they spend the most time with. This will tell you alot about the things they are discussing and where their interests lie. 

I was just in a conference last week with a mom who was unhappy with her daughter’s recent choice of friends. Mom thought that her friend group was the reason she kept getting into so much trouble. And mom was absolutely right. 

Spend Time Together

While most teens do prefer the company of their friends over their families, it doesn’t mean that they don’t still value time together as a family. 

I get it. In between soccer practice, work obligations & home chores, it can be difficult to squeeze in extra alone time with your (pre)teen. But your relationship depends on it. 

Spending time together can be as simple as reading the same book together (having a family book club) or taking your middle school child out with you (alone if they have siblings) to get some icecream after running errands, or showing up to bring them lunch at school. 

Need more tips on parenting middle schoolers & teens? Check out these posts:

Welcome to Middle School: What They Don’t Tell You At Open House

9 Amazingly Easy Ways to Help Your Teenager Gain Confidence

Communication Boost: How to Maximize Conversation With Your Child

Tips for Battling Back to School Emotions With Your High School Child

How to Raise Your Multiracial Child in a School That Isn’t Diverse

For 6 years, I’ve indulged in bows, frills, princesses & sparkly things.

A few weeks ago, I found out that I am having a boy!!!!

I’ve always wanted a son, and I look forward to the new dynamic he will add to our household.

However, as the oldest of 4 (and the only girl), I know that parenting a boy comes with a different set of joys and challenges–even a different parenting mindset.

Here are a few ways that I am preparing to bring home a baby boy:

Challenge Gender Norms

When my girls were little, this was important to me too. I made sure that their wardrobe had a variety of colors, not just pink. I also made sure their toys were balanced with primary colors, cars & STEM friendly stuff.

I plan on doing the same with my son. Having sisters will help teach him how to be loving and nurturing, not just tough and strong.

Teach Him to Respect Women

This is huge for me. This should be pretty easy for my sweet boy because he will be outnumbered! All jokes aside, there have been too many instances where women have been sexualized and devalued. I’m going to raise my son to treat ALL women the way he’d want his sisters or I to be treated.

Teach Him to Smash Gender Stereotypes

Our society places so much emphasis on teaching girls self-love and self-respect, that boys often get left out.

We expect them to be masculine, hide their emotions & “not be sissies.” When they hurt, they are often told to “man up” or “get over it.”

I want my boy to feel comfortable expressing his range of emotions and not feel like less of a person if he hurts. I hope that he can learn that his gender is only 1 part of who he is, but it doesn’t have to define who he is or what his interests have to be.

Understand His Needs

Growing up, I remember that my brothers were always busy. Busy building things (then smashing them), play fighting, wrestling, running, jumping–you name it, always in motion.

My girls are pretty busy too. Or at least I think so until I have a playdate with my friends with boys. Then I realize just how different they are.

Neither is better than the other, just different. Recognizing that my children have different needs will help me to not have unrealistic expectations of them-especially my son as I’m sure it will be easy to compare him to his sisters.

Boy moms, what advice do you have for me??

Family pictures used to be scheduled a couple times of year: at Christmas, and when a new addition had arrived.

Now, family pictures are a way for families to document their lifestyles. With more people using professional photographers instead of store photo studios, it allows families  to showcase their personalities in a variety of locations.  Here are a few tips to making your family pictures a success!

Write Down the Date

This piece of advice seems like a given, but last year I thought Christmas pictures were scheduled for the next week. Imagine my panic when I realized that they were that day…..and in 45 minutes.

Complete & utter panic set in.

Luckily, being the planner that I am, I already had everyone’s outfit picked out. My hair was still twisted up and underneath a scarf. I was throwing on my lipstick and fluffing out my hair on the way to our photo shoot.

Thank God our photographer can work miracles.

So can I tell you, please write the date down on the family calendar, add it to your Google calendar, whatever you have to do so you don’t forget.

Don’t be Afraid to Experiment with Colors & Patterns

I’ll have to admit something to you.  When we first started our family, I thought every family picture had to be perfectly matchy matchy.

Every shade was exactly the same for every family member.

I was stuck in the 80’s & 90’s Olan Mills mode.

Then I realized how much better it looks when we wear a palate of colors in a variety of prints & patterns.

Relax If Your Kids Don’t Cooperate

In the past two years, we’ve had to reschedule family pictures because someone was sick–until we couldn’t put it off anymore.

My oldest would present her best fake smile & my youngest would often stare blankly at the camera. Some of our best shots are of the kids being candid– like throwing leaves in the air, snuggling with me in between shots & wrestling with each other.

The point of family pictures is to let your family’s personality shine. And if your kids don’t cooperate? Those non posed pictures will make memories too.

Plan Family Pictures on a Day With Little Else on the Schedule

Kids are unpredictable. You may have a baby who naps. Or a toddler who has just woken from a nap.  It doesn’t take much for young children to get overstimulated.

Try to plan your family pictures on a day where your kids are not hopping from one location to the next. This may help them be in a better mood when it’s time to pose.

And don’t forget to squeeze in a picture with your spouse. After all, you guys did all the hard work!