5 quick tips to make daylight savings go a little more smoothly
Daylight savings time is upon us, and daylight savings can be tough on kids. During daylight saving times, do you think kids are ready for the hour lost? No. You already know this though. So how can we make daylight savings a little smoother for our children?
Here are 5 quick tips to make daylight savings go a little more smoothly with your kids:
1. Be proactive about daylight saving changes
Yeah, it’s going to be an adjustment no matter what – but if possible, try doing things beforehand that will help ease the shock of the actual time change. For example, In the days leading up to daylight saving time change, set their clocks ahead by 15 minutes or so each day – starting approximately 2 days before daylight saving time. This will make it seem like daylight savings time change is less of a shock to the body and mind when it actually happens.
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2. Keep routines as identical as possible
When daylight saving times start, we lose that hour in bed with our kids (or part of that hour for those that go to pre-school/daycare). Try to keep your kids on the same sleep schedule they’ve been on during daylight savings time by waking them up at approximately the same time each day and making sure their bedtime routine stays intact. If you are worried about sleepy kids getting into trouble all day at school/daycare because they are tired, set an early morning alarm clock for yourself so that you wake up ahead of them and can get them ready for school/daycare.
3. Limit screens
Try to limit the amount of time kids are spending in front of screens (TV, smartphones, tablets, etc.) during daylight savings times. This can be difficult because daylight savings time also means an end to daylight; therefore, it’s already dark when school/daycare ends and dark when they get home from school/daycare. Try not to let them spend too much time on their screens light before bedtime for this reason – it can really zap a kid’s energy level if their screen time comes too early on a dreary day after daylight savings change.
4. Use external clues
If you have younger kids that aren’t able to tell what time it is themselves by looking at clocks or watches , try using external clues to help them determine what time it is. For example, a lot of parents use a piece of paper or a white board that uses sun and star symbols that correspond to the current time in daylight savings.
5. Avoid Long Naps
Avoid long naps if possible during daylight savings time because your kids will probably wake up earlier than usual. If they do sleep in, it will throw their entire body clock off and make it much more difficult for them to adjust. If you have younger kids that nap on a regular basis, try shifting their bedtime forward by about an hour or two each night leading up to daylight saving time change so that they won’t be as tired around the time daylight saving starts.
5 quick tips to make daylight savings go smoothly with your kids:
1) Be proactive about daylight savings changes
2) Keep routines as identical as possible
3) Limit screens
4) Use external clues
5) Avoid long naps
You can get through daylight savings time with your kids! It may be tough but it is possible. Happy daylight savings!
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Hi there, I’m Jenna! I am a devoted mommy and wife. As well as an advocate for children and creating a peaceful atmosphere for those we love. I co-wrote Faith Actually: Living Life After Tragedy with my husband. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and currently working toward my Master’s in Positive Psychology. My number one desire is to create a peaceful home life for my family. My second desire is to share with you the tips I learn along the way!