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Jennifer Bly
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How do you survive a time change with kids?! Daylight Saving Time is especially brutal. Twice a year we have to change our clocks and while the adjustment may throw us adults off… it can be torture for families with children.
Take 2015, for example. We turned the clocks back at 2 a.m. on November 1, the day after Halloween. We gained an hour—one more hour of children bouncing off the walls from their sugar highs. Oh, the torment!
Whether we’re moving the clocks forward or back, time changes rarely go well with the little people in our lives.
Here are some tips for surviving Daylight Saving Time...with kids! #parenttips
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photo credit: © depositphotos.com /Y-Boychenko
Adjusting to a time change with young children is challenging. Whether you’re moving the clocks ahead an hour, back an hour, or even adjusting to a time change because of travel, these tips will surely help!
Bedtime routines are essential year-round. When your children know all the steps leading up to bedtime, their bodies start to relax and unwind naturally. Decide what elements are most important to help your children relax before bed and stick to them.
We have a very basic bedtime routine, which includes:
By the time we’re singing songs, the kids are yawning and ready to go to sleep.
Consider adjusting their schedule by 10-15 minute increments over the span of 4-6 days before the time change. Gradually shift their bedtime or consider shifting their wake-up time.
I LOVE using this clock with my children! The I.CODE Sun & Moon Rise Kids Alarm Clock Clock and Night Light is AMAZING! The clock is red and displays a moon when they need to stay in bed, but when the clock is green and there is a sun on the display, they can get out of bed.
While they may still rise early because of daylight saving time, they know (because of the clock) not to wake up Mom and Dad until the clock glows green.
There are many other things I like about this clock, too. It has an interactive, talking, time-teaching game, and your child can learn to read time in digital and analog formats.
Whether daylight saving time is starting or ending, you’ll want to ensure your children get loads of exercise. Wear your kids out so they get a good night’s sleep! Plenty of fresh air is also a good idea.
Your children may still feel the effects of daylight saving time. A tired child is challenging, but a tired and hungry child is torture! Prepare plenty of healthy snacks for your children to eat. If you need some ideas, check out my post on healthy snack hacks for busy moms.
Oh no! You took all these measures, and the kids are still crabby? Make sure you have whatever it takes to get you through the days. Check your stock of coffee, tea, chocolate, and/or candy… *wink*. Drink plenty of water, and make sure you have what you need to pull through the long days that tend to follow a time change.
Remember that your child’s adjustment to the time change is temporary. Very soon, they’ll be back to normal. Be calm, understanding, and gentle through this period. If you do lose your cool, you can always reference my list of five things to do after you blow up at your kids.
How do you make a time change less painful for you and your children? I invite you to post your thoughts below and then share this article with other parents who may need it.
The post How to Survive Daylight Saving Time (With Kids) appeared first on The Deliberate Mom.
Take 2015, for example. We turned the clocks back at 2 a.m. on November 1, the day after Halloween. We gained an hour—one more hour of children bouncing off the walls from their sugar highs. Oh, the torment!
Whether we’re moving the clocks forward or back, time changes rarely go well with the little people in our lives.
Here are some tips for surviving Daylight Saving Time...with kids! #parenttips
Share on X
photo credit: © depositphotos.com /Y-Boychenko
How to Survive Daylight Saving Time (With Kids)
Adjusting to a time change with young children is challenging. Whether you’re moving the clocks ahead an hour, back an hour, or even adjusting to a time change because of travel, these tips will surely help!
Have a bedtime routine
Bedtime routines are essential year-round. When your children know all the steps leading up to bedtime, their bodies start to relax and unwind naturally. Decide what elements are most important to help your children relax before bed and stick to them.
We have a very basic bedtime routine, which includes:
- snack
- brush teeth
- change into PJ’s
- read a Bible story
- two lullabies/songs
By the time we’re singing songs, the kids are yawning and ready to go to sleep.
Make the time change gradual
Consider adjusting their schedule by 10-15 minute increments over the span of 4-6 days before the time change. Gradually shift their bedtime or consider shifting their wake-up time.
Use a good children’s clock
I LOVE using this clock with my children! The I.CODE Sun & Moon Rise Kids Alarm Clock Clock and Night Light is AMAZING! The clock is red and displays a moon when they need to stay in bed, but when the clock is green and there is a sun on the display, they can get out of bed.
While they may still rise early because of daylight saving time, they know (because of the clock) not to wake up Mom and Dad until the clock glows green.
There are many other things I like about this clock, too. It has an interactive, talking, time-teaching game, and your child can learn to read time in digital and analog formats.
Wear them out
Whether daylight saving time is starting or ending, you’ll want to ensure your children get loads of exercise. Wear your kids out so they get a good night’s sleep! Plenty of fresh air is also a good idea.
Feed them well
Your children may still feel the effects of daylight saving time. A tired child is challenging, but a tired and hungry child is torture! Prepare plenty of healthy snacks for your children to eat. If you need some ideas, check out my post on healthy snack hacks for busy moms.
Take care of yourself
Oh no! You took all these measures, and the kids are still crabby? Make sure you have whatever it takes to get you through the days. Check your stock of coffee, tea, chocolate, and/or candy… *wink*. Drink plenty of water, and make sure you have what you need to pull through the long days that tend to follow a time change.
Be gentle
Remember that your child’s adjustment to the time change is temporary. Very soon, they’ll be back to normal. Be calm, understanding, and gentle through this period. If you do lose your cool, you can always reference my list of five things to do after you blow up at your kids.
Now it’s your turn
How do you make a time change less painful for you and your children? I invite you to post your thoughts below and then share this article with other parents who may need it.
The post How to Survive Daylight Saving Time (With Kids) appeared first on The Deliberate Mom.