It’s time to start preparing!

Daylight saving time starts at 2:00am local time on Sunday, March 12, 2023. As a mom with young kids, daylight saving time can be a challenging time of year. Just when you think your kids are in a good sleep routine, the clocks change.

Suddenly you’re dealing with early wake-ups, grumpy kids, and disrupted schedules. The good news is, it is possible to make the time switch easier for your family. It only takes a little preparation and planning.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you and your kids prepare for daylight saving time, so you can all make the most of those extra daylight hours.

Don’t let daylight saving time distract you from your schedule.

Resist the urge to let your kids sleep in on Sunday. Yes, this one is TOUGH to commit to. But think about how allowing your kids to sleep in past their normal routine wake-up will end up throwing your entire Sunday, and their internal clock, off schedule and ruin the day.

Make waking up against the clock fun by having a daylight saving time family breakfast or planning a morning excursion. Younger kids will love any excuse to get excited about pretty much anything!

Make a gradual adjustment to bed time.

A few days before daylight saving time, start adjusting sleep schedules by gradually pushing bedtime and wake up time by 15-minutes. Even trying this a few days beforehand will help their bodies adjust to the daylight savings time change.

If gradual change isn’t feasible, get the kids to bed earlier on Saturday night.

This will ensure your little ones are still getting a full night’s sleep and avoid them being overly tired on Sunday. While you’re at it – use the opportunity to get some rest yourself. After all, we’re moms, and there is no shortage of fatigue among us!

If your child is struggling with a bedtime routine, think about using this time to create some new habits.

Need some ideas?

Our resident sleep guru, Pamela Diamond has shared with us a fun and interesting way to create healthy bedtime habits. Read her article here –>.

Set an alarm.

Setting the alarm can be a helpful way to ensure that your child wakes up on time on the day of daylight saving. You can use a few different types of alarms, depending on your child’s preferences and age.

For younger children who may not yet understand the concept of an alarm clock, a wake-up light can be a great option. The lights in this device slowly get brighter, similar to a real sunrise, to wake your child up in a gentle manner. Some models even include nature sounds or other calming noises to help your child ease into their day.

For older children who can use an alarm clock, you can involve them in choosing their alarm tone. Let them pick a fun or silly tone they enjoy, whether it’s a favorite song or a sound effect from their favorite movie. You can also encourage them to set their alarm clock across the room from their bed, so they have to physically get up to turn it off, which can help them get moving and start their day.

Go outside and let the sun do its job.

Getting your child outside in the sunshine can be a great way to help them transition to the daylight saving time change. Exposure to natural sunlight can help regulate the body’s internal clock, which can make it easier to wake up in the morning and feel more alert throughout the day.

Here are some ideas for encouraging sunlight exposure:

Take a morning walk: Take a walk with your child in the morning to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. This can be a great way to start the day and help them wake up naturally.

Eat breakfast outside: If the weather permits, consider having breakfast outside in the morning sun. This can be a fun way to enjoy a meal and soak up some vitamin D.

Play outside: If your child enjoys playing outside, encourage them to do so in the morning. This can help them get some exercise and fresh air while also benefiting from the sunlight exposure.

Open the curtains: If your child’s bedroom receives morning sunlight, consider leaving the curtains open so that they can wake up gradually with the natural light.

It’s important to note that too much exposure to sunlight can also have negative effects, such as sunburn or overheating. Be sure to monitor your child’s sun exposure and protect them with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses as needed.

Prepare for the extra evening light.

It’s likely that the sun will still be shining in the midst of bedtime routines, which is sure to confuse some kids. Try to make their bedrooms as dark as possible by using blackout curtains or other light blockers on the windows.

Using blackout curtains or shades can be a helpful way to ensure that your child gets the restful sleep they need, even with the time change on daylight saving day. Here are some tips for using blackout curtains effectively:

Look for curtains designed to block out light rather than reduce it. For example, some curtains may have a blackout lining, while others have thick, opaque material that blocks sunlight.

In addition to using blackout curtains, you can create a sleep-friendly environment in your child’s room. Keep the room cool and quiet, and use white noise or a fan to drown out any outside noise that may disrupt your child’s sleep.

This trick works double-duty in the mornings when the sun comes out earlier, too and you want to avoid the early wake ups.

Be patient. Daylight saving time takes a toll on everyone.

Adjusting to daylight saving time is hard on everyone, especially kids. Be sure to pack a little extra patience for the next week or so until their bodies (and yours!) adjust to the time difference.