7 Sleep Saving Hacks For Adjusting To Day Light Savings Time For Moms and Kids

Daylight saving time may soon be a thing of the past, but for right now, it is here to stay. It can be difficult for people to remember whether they are jumping ahead an hour or falling behind. 

We often find ourselves looking at our phones on that first day, trying to figure out if we switched all the clocks in our houses. Although it annoys adults, we sometimes find ourselves confused and sometimes tired.

Children seem to be the most affected by the time change, so I’ve gathered up some hacks for adjusting to daylight saving time for moms and kids. 

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Quick Facts About Daylight Saving Time

• It was created to save energy and use natural sunlight.
• Clocks always change at 2 am.
• It’s not worldwide. 60% of countries do not use DST.
• Many states want to stop changing the clocks.
• DST impacts our health and is linked to depression, slow metabolism, weight gain, and cluster headaches.

7 Hacks for Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time

Did you know that the average adult naps 94.3 days a year? The Sleep Foundation just surveyed adults and determined how many adults needed a quick snooze during the day. Over 80% of adults had taken a nap within the last three months, and many of these naps were 60 minutes or longer! Imagine how people must feel during DST!? 

Hack #1: Start Practicing An Earlier Bedtime

Start by putting your child to bed 15 minutes earlier on the Friday before DST. Then wake them up 30 minutes earlier the next day (unless they beat you to it). On Saturday, put them to bed 30 minutes earlier than their normal bedtime. Then on Sunday, they will go to sleep at the normal time once the clocks change.

Hack #2: Don’t Let Them Sleep

I know. We all want to let our kids sleep that extra 20 or 30 minutes during this time. But, sadly shouldn’t let them. Get them up at their normal wake-up time on Sunday. If you have a child who gets up earlier than you would like, you can let them sleep and try to get them into the correct rhythm.

Hack #3: Keep It Simple

Try not to have any plans on DST weekend and the weekend after. You want to get used to the new bedtimes and wake-up times; having late-night plans or early mornings may not help. 

Hack #4: Dark Room

Try to keep your and your child’s rooms as dark as possible. Since the sun will be up for longer, your child may be going to sleep with the sun still shining. Using blackout curtains or other techniques will give your child a nice dark space to sleep.

Hack #5: Expect A Transitional Period

There is always going to be a transitional period. Your child and yourself are both getting used to a new time and, technically, a new schedule. Let this transition happen, and be a little flexible. 

Hack #6: Shift Everything

This goes back to hack #1, but if you want to succeed with the schedule-shifting method, you need to shift everything. This will include bedtime, mealtime, naptime, etc. This will shift their day into the proper hours before DST hits.

Hack #7: Enjoy The Sun

When DST comes, that means the sun will be out for longer during the day. Get your children outside and enjoy it! Winter is ending, and the spring and summer months are on the horizon. Get outside and let your skin soak up some vitamin D. Kids will be tired and ready for bed after a good game of tag or bike ride.

These seven hacks for adjusting to daylight savings time for moms and kids are just some simple changes you can do to prepare yourself and your children too. Enjoy your spring and summer, and don’t stress. Everything will work itself out with DST eventually. 

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