It’s common for children ages 3 to 8 to develop nighttime fears. They might imagine their lamp growing arms, legs and fangs. They might imagine that one of their toys has come to life – or that there’s a monster in their room.
While the monsters might not be real, the fears behind them are, according to the founders of “Your Thyme,” Mary Horan of Shakopee and Kelly Lucente of Plymouth.

In addition to their line of all-natural products, including insect repellant and household cleaners, the two have started a line of products for children to help them address their fears.
The motivation came when Lucente’s son, Joey, now 11, experienced nighttime fears. She discussed it with Horan, who suggested lavender and chamomile, which help to calm. The product that resulted is “Bye Bye Monster Room Spray,” along with a book and stuffed animal (“Barley,” a friendly monster) that go with it.
“It’s a genuine thing they go through,” Horan said of children’s nighttime fears. “Their minds are so magical.”
“Children are very smart,” Lucente said. They know if you try to fake them out with a bottle full of water. “We had to create something that had a scent.”
They put it in plastic bottles, so it would be safe for a child to use.
And they wrote the children’s story, “Bye Bye Monster: Joey’s Adventure on Monster Street,” illustrated by Eden Prairie resident Bethany Nelson, to go with it.
Horan said that experts they have consulted recommended validating the fears, talking about them and addressing them through imaginative play.
“There are a lot of parents out there who want their kids to sleep in their own beds,” she said. “It is empowering for the children and makes them feel like they can take care of it themselves.”
To test out their products, the two moms, who worked in Eden Prairie, took their Monster Spray to a Montessori school in Chaska.
The students heard the story and played with the stuffed monster and spray bottle.
The story is about a child who is afraid, then goes on an adventure on Monster Street and finds the monsters are friendly.
Lucente said that the children understood the concept right away, with some even asking for the company Web site, so they could tell their parents to order the products.
Horan first introduced Lucente to the importance of natural products, after taking courses in aromatherapy and continuing with her own research. Their Web site includes a disturbing litany of facts about chemicals found in common products in our homes.
The two started by making gifts together and their hobby grew into the business, “Your Thyme.”
Horan said that their ingredients are derived from plants, trees and grasses.
“Why wouldn’t you?” she asked about buying all-natural products. “Anything you touch with your skin gets absorbed.”
They buy most of their packaging materials from Minnesota. The two make the products in their homes.
Other products include insect repellant with ingredients like citronella and lemon grass and soaps with ingredients like Siberian fir needle essential oil.
“Creating peace of mind in today’s world of impure ingredients, Your Thyme, Inc. is a Minnesota-based, independent company offering an ever-expanding collection of safe and healthy products for children and adults,” according to a news release.
A company motto is, “promoting health and happiness through scents.” For more information, visit www.byebyemonstershop.com or www.yourthymescents.com.