Name: Jacquelyn Hunt
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Occupation :Essential oil educator & wellness coach
Children: 3 boys and a girl. They’re 7, 5, almost 3, and 1.
Business: mindfulmagnolias.com
What inspired you to start your business?
The desire to help other women feel the empowerment that I feel by knowing how to easily care for my kids and family with natural solutions.
What are the best oils for families to have on hand?
Starting with the top 10 oils are a great base to have for every home and are what come in most starter kits. But my total must haves are Lavender (calming, bumps, promotes restful sleep, and soothing to skin), Peppermint (relieving for any body tension, and settling for digestive issues, and Lemon (cleansing, mood uplifting, and gets rid of gooey sticky messes!). I also have a free guide that outlines the best oils to start with and easy blends for common issues. (http://mindfulmagnolias.com/guide)
What brings you joy as a parent?
Seeing my kids learn a new skill or seeing their personal growth. I love seeing their pride and sense of accomplishment and knowing I had a small part in that makes me feel pretty great as a mama!
What are some of your challenges as a parent?
PATIENCE!! With 4 kids, 7 and under we have a lot going on in our home at once. I have to constantly remind myself that the baby doesn’t know not to throw his food on the floor, or my toddler doesn’t understand that playing with the dog food in the water bowl isn’t helpful! :)
What is the best advice you received or lessons learned as a parent?
Don’t sweat the small stuff! The more kids you have the more you realize that it’s ok if the pacifier falls on the ground, or it’s ok if you forget to brush the baby’s teeth one night. Of course we all try our best, but as women and moms we need to give ourselves a lot of grace and acknowledge all the great we do.
How do you practice self care?
I love listening to podcasts and going for a walk or just watching a funny show at night once the kids go to bed. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or elaborate, but finding time for things we enjoy, help us be better mamas.
How do you make time for your relationship with your partner?
I love spending quality time with my husband and we try to go on a date a couple times a month. I love that time to connect and have adult time away from our kiddos.
Are your parenting styles different from your partner's?
Thankfully, we are pretty similar in our style but still have things we need to align on together.
How do you manage parenting with your partner?
We both take a very active role and while I may do more of the day to day care (like nursing and sleep schedules) by husband is really helpful with homework and playing with the kids.
How do you spend quality time with your children?
I try to take 30 minutes each week with each kid where it’s just us one-on-one. With the baby that’s me playing with him without being on my phone. With my older kids it’s playing outside with them or doing something they’d like to do.
What parenting tools work for you and your family?
For my older kids we use a color behavior chart where depending on their actions during the day, they can move you or down. Every week, depending on where they end up, they get a prize or consequence. It has been evening very well especially with virtual school!
Favorite parenting books or resources?
I don’t really have many but follow a few great accounts on insta like Big Little Feelings and follow the Baby Wise (book) system for baby schedules and sleep training. That’s been a huge lifesaver for all of our sanity!
What do you wish for your children?
I want my kids to have true happiness and joy. No matter what life throws at them, I want them to find the joy in the journey and live in the present. 2020 has thrown us all for a loop and it’s been a great teaching opportunity for all of us!
More info about me at my website mindfulmagnolias.com