Day 1 with Essential Oils

[Thriftylady]

While I sympathize with you and tend to err on the side of caution myself when it comes to the oils I use in my own home and around the children I care for; I do not agree that you as a parent, need to be informed of a provider choosing to use oils in their own home.

If you or your child tend to have reactions to ANY substance, whether it be oils, pet dander, perfumes, etc; it is up to YOU to inform the people you choose to surround yourself with.
I just don't think it's reasonable to expect us as providers to never use anything in our own home that somebody might be allergic to.
If we had to go that route, we wouldn't be able to use a huge laundry list of items that just might be an irritant to some random person.

I agree with this. While I try to be careful what I do for the safety of everyone, this is still a home that is lived in. I have forms for parents to tell me all medical conditions and allergies and state that leaving anything out is grounds for termination. It isn't my job to follow parents around and ask them questions, it is their job to inform me as THEY are the ones that hold that information.

[Blackcat31]

While I sympathize with you and tend to err on the side of caution myself when it comes to the oils I use in my own home and around the children I care for; I do not agree that you as a parent, need to be informed of a provider choosing to use oils in their own home.

If you or your child tend to have reactions to ANY substance, whether it be oils, pet dander, perfumes, etc; it is up to YOU to inform the people you choose to surround yourself with.
I just don't think it's reasonable to expect us as providers to never use anything in our own home that somebody might be allergic to.
If we had to go that route, we wouldn't be able to use a huge laundry list of items that just might be an irritant to some random person.

I 100% disagree with this.

Yes, it is YOUR home but you are WILLINGLY accepting the liability of someone else's well being and because of that you have due diligence to inform those entering your place of business that you are doing something that could potentially cause harm or present a risk to others.

I'm in MN like you and our county is just now addressing this issue and we (in my area) will be required to notify parents if we use oils. I am sure DHS will make a ruling for all sooner or later.

My thoughts are why risk someone else's well being for something that may not be worth the loss? It would just be easier to inform parents from the beginning. It's also a good way to open the dialog about the topic.

[Thriftylady]

I 100% disagree with this.

Yes, it is YOUR home but you are WILLINGLY accepting the liability of someone else's well being and because of that you have due diligence to inform those entering your place of business that you are doing something that could potentially cause harm or present a risk to others.

I'm in MN like you and our county is just now addressing this issue and we (in my area) will be required to notify parents if we use oils. I am sure DHS will make a ruling for all sooner or later.

My thoughts are why risk someone else's well being for something that may not be worth the loss? It would just be easier to inform parents from the beginning. It's also a good way to open the dialog about the topic.

While I don't use a lot of scents due to DD and my allergies, I disagree with your premise. Not so much the essential oils, but then does that mean we have to inform parents exactly what cleaners we use? What about laundry soap that I use on my and my families clothing? I mean how far is it expected to go? Does it then extend to what brand of milk, butter, flour etc I use? I guess my thought is just that we have to be able to draw a line in the sand somewhere. DD and I have horrible reactions to any strong scent, including many cleaning supplies but I wouldn't expect someone else to change what they use in in their home or business to suit us.

[Blackcat31]

While I don't use a lot of scents due to DD and my allergies, I disagree with your premise. Not so much the essential oils, but then does that mean we have to inform parents exactly what cleaners we use? What about laundry soap that I use on my and my families clothing? I mean how far is it expected to go? Does it then extend to what brand of milk, butter, flour etc I use? I guess my thought is just that we have to be able to draw a line in the sand somewhere. DD and I have horrible reactions to any strong scent, including many cleaning supplies but I wouldn't expect someone else to change what they use in in their home or business to suit us.

Yes, we are provided with a list of state approved cleaners that we can use in childcare.

Unless you are planning to wash your DCK's clothing what does the brand of laundry soap have to do with it? I'm not understanding that concept. :confused:

As for brands of milk, butter etc, yes those too are "governed" by my food program.

ANYTHING you use on or with DCK's is YOUR responsibility and your liability.

Draw your line where ever you feel comfortable but most of what you mentioned above IS already regulated by licensing rules in my state. My line is based on liability and I prefer to err on the side of caution.

[Snowmom]

I respect your stance BC and I understand where your coming from. I personally DO tell my families that I use oils in my home (which is a selling point in all honesty- because I do not use harsh chemicals on my floors) and I DO believe we need to hold ourselves to responsible use of cleaners and oils.
However I believe that it should be the parents that should be responsible for informing others (US) if there is an allergy or known reaction to ANY substance. It should not be assumed that my home is a hospital-like setting and will never carry any scents or allergens. THEY need to do their due diligence when it comes to their child. Which is what I specifically addressed above.
And yes, the soaps we use WOULD matter. We wash bedding, pillows, changing pads, etc.
The soap I use on MY clothes matters would matter as well, since I do the burping and holding of the kids as well.

[Annalee]

I wash all bedding as well and I don't share what laundry detergent I use. Parents are expected to inform me of allergies. Some of these areas are left to chance I guess and maybe that is a huge liability. Oils may be a different issue but I find it near impossible to inform parents of EVERY thing in my daycare that may pose an allergy problem. That is why I rely on open communication. I use the typical bleach/water solution for sanitizing and cleaning materials...The liquid soap I use for handwashing is different throughout the year and I don't share that with parents. I think every one on this thread may have a POINT, but each daycare is unique at what makes things work with each one's particular client-base. I also feel as providers, each day brings it's own catch 22's and liability issues. We just have to do the best we can all the time and hope what we choose to do works...but if it doesn't, it doesn't necessarily mean we did anything wrong...each day is sink or swim....

[Play Care]

I wash all bedding as well and I don't share what laundry detergent I use. Parents are expected to inform me of allergies. Some of these areas are left to chance I guess and maybe that is a huge liability. Oils may be a different issue but I find it near impossible to inform parents of EVERY thing in my daycare that may pose an allergy problem. That is why I rely on open communication. I use the typical bleach/water solution for sanitizing and cleaning materials...The liquid soap I use for handwashing is different throughout the year and I don't share that with parents. I think every one on this thread may have a POINT, but each daycare is unique at what makes things work with each one's particular client-base. I also feel as providers, each day brings it's own catch 22's and liability issues. We just have to do the best we can all the time and hope what we choose to do works...but if it doesn't, it doesn't necessarily mean we did anything wrong...each day is sink or swim....

[Thriftylady]

I respect your stance BC and I understand where your coming from. I personally DO tell my families that I use oils in my home (which is a selling point in all honesty- because I do not use harsh chemicals on my floors) and I DO believe we need to hold ourselves to responsible use of cleaners and oils.
However I believe that it should be the parents that should be responsible for informing others (US) if there is an allergy or known reaction to ANY substance. It should not be assumed that my home is a hospital-like setting and will never carry any scents or allergens. THEY need to do their due diligence when it comes to their child. Which is what I specifically addressed above.
And yes, the soaps we use WOULD matter. We wash bedding, pillows, changing pads, etc.
The soap I use on MY clothes matters would matter as well, since I do the burping and holding of the kids as well.

This is my thought exactly. And it seems as things vary by state and even county, we don't have certain cleaners and being legally unlicensed I can't be on the food program. Part of the reason I am legally unlicensed is that I don't want the government running what I can and can't do in my home. Of course ALL of my parents are aware of this. And laundry soap on my clothing could cause a reaction on a child in my care, as we touch each other often, and who doesn't snuggle a baby? This did happen to me once in Kansas but once we found out I had to change soaps myself.

[Blackcat31]

I respect your stance BC and I understand where your coming from. I personally DO tell my families that I use oils in my home (which is a selling point in all honesty- because I do not use harsh chemicals on my floors) and I DO believe we need to hold ourselves to responsible use of cleaners and oils.
However I believe that it should be the parents that should be responsible for informing others (US) if there is an allergy or known reaction to ANY substance. It should not be assumed that my home is a hospital-like setting and will never carry any scents or allergens. THEY need to do their due diligence when it comes to their child. Which is what I specifically addressed above.
And yes, the soaps we use WOULD matter. We wash bedding, pillows, changing pads, etc.
The soap I use on MY clothes matters would matter as well, since I do the burping and holding of the kids as well.

I do agree but unfortunately as a business I think we bear the burden of having more liability/responsibility than the parent/consumer. My initial disagreement was more in regards to the statement "in our own homes"...when open for business, "our own homes" take a back seat to regulations and liabilities.

Of course, if the parent knew their child was allergic I would think any conscious parent would inform others of this allergy.

I don't inform parents of what scent I choose when buying air freshener, laundry soaps etc but if I wasn't buying something off the approved cleaning list or something that wasn't right off Target or Walmart's shelves, I would feel obligated to inform.

[Fiddlesticks]

I was at my hairdressers last week, and mentioned being sick with a cold for the better part of two weeks and joked that I should start wearing a surgical mask to avoid germs. She said I should use "some oil" as it is "basically a surgical mask" then she said, "we are diffusing it right now." So, I was in a business (this was not someone's home, it was a salon) and they were diffusing essential oils and did not inform me, in any way, upon entering the establishment. I do not think that just because we run a business out of our homes we would be held to a higher standard than any other business.

And I also disagree that the cleaners and brands of food we use are regulated. I am required to clean my changing area in a certain manner, but how I clean my floors, and other surfaces, is up to me. And the food program outlines what is creditable and what is not, but they care not what brand of milk I use.

[Annalee]

I was at my hairdressers last week, and mentioned being sick with a cold for the better part of two weeks and joked that I should start wearing a surgical mask to avoid germs. She said I should use "some oil" as it is "basically a surgical mask" then she said, "we are diffusing it right now." So, I was in a business (this was not someone's home, it was a salon) and they were diffusing essential oils and did not inform me, in any way, upon entering the establishment. I do not think that just because we run a business out of our homes we would be held to a higher standard than any other business.

And I also disagree that the cleaners and brands of food we use are regulated. I am required to clean my changing area in a certain manner, but how I clean my floors, and other surfaces, is up to me. And the food program outlines what is creditable and what is not, but they care not what brand of milk I use.

The local school my sons attend have the oils diffusing every day in their classrooms.

[MissAnn]

I was at my hairdressers last week, and mentioned being sick with a cold for the better part of two weeks and joked that I should start wearing a surgical mask to avoid germs. She said I should use "some oil" as it is "basically a surgical mask" then she said, "we are diffusing it right now." So, I was in a business (this was not someone's home, it was a salon) and they were diffusing essential oils and did not inform me, in any way, upon entering the establishment. I do not think that just because we run a business out of our homes we would be held to a higher standard than any other business.

And I also disagree that the cleaners and brands of food we use are regulated. I am required to clean my changing area in a certain manner, but how I clean my floors, and other surfaces, is up to me. And the food program outlines what is creditable and what is not, but they care not what brand of milk I use.

It's funny, no one thinks about informing parents if we use scented candles or spray air fresheners. Hey, I used to have a thingamajiggy that sprayed out fragrance every few minutes. I am sure far more people would have a negative reaction to that over essential oils.

[Blackcat31]

And I also disagree that the cleaners and brands of food we use are regulated. I am required to clean my changing area in a certain manner, but how I clean my floors, and other surfaces, is up to me. And the food program outlines what is creditable and what is not, but they care not what brand of milk I use.

I think we're are just spitting hairs now.... the point was that yes, the state DOES have a say in what disinfectants you use for child care and the food program DOES regulate the foods you serve.

https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/ChildCare/Providing/Pages/bleach-alternatives.aspx

[Thriftylady]

It's funny, no one thinks about informing parents if we use scented candles or spray air fresheners. Hey, I used to have a thingamajiggy that sprayed out fragrance every few minutes. I am sure far more people would have a negative reaction to that over essential oils.

Yes, that would likely set DD and I off! If I walked into your home and it bothered me I may ask if you could turn it off or whatever while I was there, or I may have to not stay so long. But I would just be more mindful before I came back over. Your home, your choice. I really want to try the oils reading the benefits, but not sure it is a good idea for me. My hubby keeps air fresheners in his semi. Anytime he wants me to go with him, he has to get them out of there a couple of hours before I get in so I can be in there.

[Fiddlesticks]

Maybe we are splitting hairs, and if that is the case, I apologize, but I was responding to this:

As for brands of milk, butter etc, yes those too are "governed" by my food program.