diy Friday - Calming Bottles

I don't know about your kids, but sometimes, for no apparent reason, my kids have a meltdown. Shocking, I know. I'm actually amazed at how my girls can bring forth the giant, and I mean giant, crocodile tears at the drop of the hat. All three, instantaneous. We can go from giggly to sobbing in a mere .7846273 seconds. If it were an olympic sport, our home would be full of gold medals.

All that to say, we have, on occasion, had moments when the tears, crying, wailing, gets the girls to a point of hyperventilating and calming down is a chore. I'm sure you have no idea what that's like ;) But I get it, because about once a month, this is me also. They just need to cry, get it out, breathe and then they are good. I usually will send them somewhere private where they can go at it and when they are done, they can come out again. They always come out feeling much better for the cry. I already feel sorry for my husband in 10 years when he has 4 emotional females, all on the same cycle in his home. Prayers are welcome :)

All that to say, it came upon me to make my girls each a "calming bottle". A bottle of swirling glittering goodness that mesmerizes and truly calms, that they can take with them during these moments of unbridled weeping. Take it with them when they get a timeout to let them know when the timeout is over, when they feel upset, angry, or when they just need to get away from everyone and recharge. The intent, to shake it up, watch it, and when the glitter has all settled, if they feel ready, then they can re-emerge into life with the family.

Truth be told, I love these glitter bottles so much, I want one for me now. Even Lulu, our 1 year old loves them, though I haven't made her one just yet.

We turned the project into something we could do together. The girls picked their own glitter glue colour, glitter colour and then helped pour them into the bottle when the time came. *I will warn you, however, that your table and area will look like a fairy fight took place and there will be glitter in places you didn't even know existed, but it will be worth the wrath of the glitter*.

To find how to make these wonderful inventions I went to the one place that has all the answers for making such marvellous things....Pinterest. This one was a Pinterest win my friend!

To get the full recipe and details, go to the place I went to, because, well, it's great...

http://mskcpotter.blogspot.ca/2015/06/calm-down-jar-upgrade-and-recipe.html

These are SUPER easy to make and really only took about 20 minutes (mind you, I was doing it with a 3 and 5 year old, so it could easily take you much less time.)

I also used 500mL plastic Voss water bottles, as that seems to the bottle favourite among many avid calming bottle makers across Pinterest. And they are nice looking. And easy to glue the lids on. And did I mention they are nice looking?

I could stare at these bottles for hours. They are SO cool and it's like staring into the deep galaxy at night. They do eventually settle completely as well. If you have young kids (or old ones really), I would highly encourage you to make some of these, get the kids involved so they can choose the colours they enjoy, and go for it! Maybe even make one for yourself! :)

Hope you enjoyed this DIY Friday! Comment with a picture of your calming bottle!

Have a great weekend!

~Aryn~