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Any parent will know the struggle of getting your kids to sleep on time. Coming up with a bedtime routine that gets the kids excited for bed, but also luls them to sleep is a task that takes time, energy and a lot of consistency. And the last thing you want is for daylight saving time to come around and mess up the delicate balance you’ve established in your household. However, it is inevitable and needs to be handled efficiently so that your kids still stay disciplined and get enough rest. So, if you’re looking for some strategies to help your kids prepare for daylight saving time, then this article is for you. Read on to know more!
Two Strategies You Can Use
1. Strategy A: Adjust Early
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This strategy is easy to execute even with little kids. Since the clock is essentially moving forward, you will need to slowly adjust your daily routine and schedule back in small increments leading up to the transition. You can start to make gradual shifts over a period of 2 to 4 days. Start by making 15 minute increments 4 days prior and then double it to 30 minutes 2 days prior to the start of daylight saving time. This means that you shift the time of all your daily scheduled activities such as, your wake up time, the time you have your meals and even when you start your work. This way, kids will also get onboard to go about their own work when you do.
2. Strategy B: Split The Difference
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This method is not as well known but it works just as well. For this strategy to work you can leave your clocks alone and go to bed. Set your alarm for your usual wake up time and wake up on time. After you’ve had a chance to have your coffee, then change all the clocks to reflect the new time. Shift your child’s routine by half an hour and move up their bedtime, naps and mealtime. But only this time, move it ahead by 30 minutes. After 4 days all you need to do is revert back to yourself and your kids back to their regular schedule and this will cover the 30 minute adjustment without creating any fuss.
Here Are Some Tips To Ensure That School Age Kids Adjust To Daylight Savings Time
Usually it’s the older kids who struggle the most when it comes to adjusting to daylight saving time. But there are a few things you can do to ensure that the transition isn’t so hard on them
1. Exercise And Get Some Sunlight
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Getting enough sunlight and some form of exercise contributes greatly to a good night’s sleep, especially when it comes to little kids. They need to run around and burn off some of their excess energy so that their body can settle down and get ready for bed. And making sure that your kids get a healthy dose of sunlight during the day will also help with getting them ready for bed when it’s daylight saving time. So, try to take them to the park so they can run around and soak up the sunlight. Or at least let them spend some time in the backyard before they head off to school. This will make all the difference later on in the day.
2. Bedtime Routine
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Kids thrive when they have a consistent routine to follow. And bedtime routines are a must if you want your little one to fall asleep at a reasonable hour. This is because they cue the body and brain to get ready to go to sleep. If you’ve got a school aged child, make sure that they switch off all their electronics gadgets an hour before their bedtime. They can do a calming activity instead like reading, journaling, listening to music or simply meditating.
3. Make Slight Adjustments At Bedtime
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Your kids may have to get up at the same time the next morning, but making changes during bedtime, during daylight saving can help them get through the next day with ease. You could move their bedtime back by 15 minutes 2 or 3 nights before or after the time changes. This will lessen the effect it has on their schedule compared to a 1 hour overnight switch up which can be a little overwhelming. Don’t try to keep them up for an additional hour the night the clock moves forward. Getting more sleep will not adversely affect your little ones.
Daylight saving time can be a little confusing and chaotic, but it doesn’t have to disrupt your child’s entire routine. All you need to do is tweak their schedule a little bit and they’ll be able to cope with the new clock in no time!
