Dawn West

Joined January 2018

0 stories

Bio

Hi there! My name is Dawn and I have forged an alliance with writing. I am a mother of two crazy kids. I am also a licensed nurse and practice aromatherapy. You can view my blog Oilwitch here: oilwitch.wordpress.com

Stories (13/0)

Aging Gracefully
So, I don't usually talk about the big "M," but today we are. Menopause has either been made fun of through funny commercials and print ads, or thought of as a personal doom, such as life ends with the completion of menopause.
By Dawn West5 years ago in Viva
Dealing with the Disappointments of Life
So... we all know that feeling when we think things are going along fine, you may be looking forward to an event or a change in your life, and then things do not go how you would like. It may even be that you did not realize how much you wanted what was anticipated until circumstances leave you falling short. How do you deal with the emotional blow back that happens when major disappointment bites you?
By Dawn West5 years ago in Motivation
How to Function Within Disfunction
Whew boy! This is a big topic for me. It delves into very personal territory so I feel I must tread lightly, but this needs to be told. This topic weighs heavily on my chest like a stone press.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Motivation
Happy
I was sitting in my car waiting on my youngest to get out of school when that new song came on. You know, the one about the singer wanting some nebulous person to be "happier". Well I hate to say that song majorly rubs me the wrong way for some reason. It has since I first heard it. I am not complaining about the artist or his composition, it is the phrasing and meaning behind the song that has always stung like salt. And I just figured out why.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Families
The Cost of Anxiety
Anxiety. Even the spelling and pronunciation of the word seems frenetic, as though it is in a rush to be said, thought, or seen. No one has ever said this word with a slow cadence.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Psyche
How Boys Turn You Into a More Lenient Parent
Let me say this first and foremost: I love both my kids so much! This ia NOT a "boy vs. girl" story. This is a "change in parenting behaviour" story.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Families
The Beast That Is Middle School
So, my kids started back to school this week. My son is back with his friends in a familiar surrounding. Even though he switched schools to a bigger one, he has been going to the school for years for events and is comfortable there.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Education
Easy and Beautiful Essential Oil Soap
Because my husband, son, and daughter all have some varying degree of autoimmune disorder, I try really hard to go all-natural with our lotions, and shampoos. My husband is allergic to the perfumes in different things and has severe eczema, so he is already sensitive to many ingredients. My son's skin dries out quickly, so he needs extra moisture in his skin. The same is true with my daughter as she gets patchy eczema.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Lifehack
Ian
We knew something was not quite right with Ian as soon as I started getting induced for delivery. Ian was running late, which would be the story for his life thus far. The first in a series of decisions that would define his early life, the delivery of newborn Ian was hard. Neither of us were ready. Ian didn't want to leave his comfy place and I did not feel the need to urgently push with him as I did with my daughter. The nurse settled that by urging me to push, even if I was not ready. Ian's birth was hard for him. I will explain the lasting effects of this further in the story. The doctor was mad at the nurse for the hurried pushing. I was grateful to be out of labor. Ian seemed OK at the time.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Families
Mom Worry!
Ugh. I fell into the trap again tonight. I haven't done the mom worry since the last hospital visit Ian had to make. (That is one heck of a story I will tell sometime, but not today. P. S.: He is fine). Nope, this particular mom worry was over my daughter's little mouse. You see, Dorito—yes that's his name—has never been an active little fellow, but I love him all the same. He is a sweet boy with a good disposition. He spends most of his time sleeping, or hanging out on Emmy. But tonight when she got him out of the cage, she commented that his tiny ears were cold. Yup. Cold ears. folks, that was enough to pet him, worry, add more bedding, worry, check his food and water, worry. Google mouse colds! The mom worry went on for a solid twenty minutes.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Families
Shea Butter 101
Hi everyone! Last time I wrote about the five essential oils that everyone should have in their cupboard, but I never touched on what a base oil is and why it is needed. So real quick, a base oil is any natural oil such as: coconut, apricot, or avocado oil. A base oil is needed to mix and apply essential oils safely to your skin. You should NEVER put a straight essential oil onto your skin. Undiluted essential oils can damage fragile skin cells, causing rash or discoloration.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Longevity
The Inevitability of Heartache
When you are handed that perfect bundle of babyness right after long hours of labour, there is nothing better to inspire and terrify your maternal instinct. On one hand, this is what you have been waiting for. This perfect mix of traits from both parents rolled up into fuzzy blankets and warm baby smell. But, on the other hand, "it" starts. The "it" is the tiny heartaches that wear at the soul, strengthening and weakening your heart muscle at the same time. The fear of new and uncharted territory along with the immenseness of the undertaking that is unfolding in front of you, kind of like Bilbo Baggins leaving the Shire to begin his impossible task.
By Dawn West6 years ago in Families

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Dawn West

Bio

Stories .css-1svwz57-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-default-mute);}(13/0)

Aging Gracefully

Dealing with the Disappointments of Life

How to Function Within Disfunction

Happy

The Cost of Anxiety

How Boys Turn You Into a More Lenient Parent

The Beast That Is Middle School

Easy and Beautiful Essential Oil Soap

Ian

Mom Worry!

Shea Butter 101

The Inevitability of Heartache

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Send me a tip

Stories (13/0)