Daylight savings (okay, it’s actually “daylight saving time,” but we have morphed it into “daylight savings,” over the years, so I am just going to go with the flow, here) never used to bother me. It was just a thing that happened twice a year, and I seemed to adjust fine when it happened.
Until I had kids. Suddenly, I was drrrrrrreading daylight savings. Everyone was up before the sun and I just flat out get cranky when I’m up that early.
So, I needed to figure out a way to prevent this awful time of year from starting our mornings off on the wrong foot for about a week, and after some trial and error, have come up with a plan that has worked for us for several years now.
So with this day quickly approaching, I thought I would share so you too can implement the plan if you so choose.
It’s pretty simple: About four days before daylight savings, start adjusting the child’s bedtime by 15 minutes each day, so by go-time, they’re already adjusted or close to it.
For example. our kids normally go to bed at 7:00 and 7:30.
And for this upcoming day, which is “fall back,” this is what our nights will look like:
Thursday- Bedtimes of 7:15 and 7:45.
Friday- Bedtimes of 7:30 and 8:00
Saturday- Bedtimes of 7:45 and 8:15
Sunday- Bedtimes of 8:00 and 8:30.
Sometimes, we will even start this process even earlier in the week than the four days so that we have a little more time to adjust if the upcoming week is a busy one.
So, when fall back finally approaches, the kids will be used to going to bed at “8:00 and 8:30” which is now really 7:00 and 7:30.
Does that make sense?
We have done this since Gwyn was a toddler and it has worked well throughout the years.
And, to help little ones stay in bed in the morning, we use THESE Ok to Wake alarm clocks. They glow when it’s okay to get out of bed and have been SUCH a blessing in our home!
I hope it helps anyone who also dreads this time of year!
We are trying this this week and so far its been good! He gets a little fussy but I feel like we will all be better off
YES! It is worth it in the end!!
Oh, this is a great idea. I imagine being a kid and dealing with Daylight Savings is rough!
-Lauren
Yes, it isn’t an easy adjustment!!
I’m a grown woman and this helped ME lol I have such a hard time transitioning at daylight savings…especially in winter.
Hahaha I love it! Yes, we could all use a little adjustment ahead of time!
I am one of those crazy morning people so it doesn’t bother me – and my oldest was the same way. But good gracious my youngest… whew, it was rough. They are both much older now, but man I do not miss those days. Wish I had thought of this so long ago lol
hahaha this made me laugh! So funny how different kids can be!
I don’t have kids but I’m trying this for myself! DST is so rough for me!
It sure isn’t easy! TIRED!!
I am going to try this! I remember it being awful last year!
I wish we didn’t need to have it! Such a pain!
This is really smart! I never thought of making a gradual schedule like that.
It has helped us a TON! Thank you!