This Sunday marks the beginning of a new season, as we set our clocks an hour ahead and welcome the start of daylight saving time. While this may seem like a small change, it can have a big impact on our daily routines, especially for parents with young children.
For many moms, this time change comes just in time for Mother’s Day on March 30th. However, it also means that we will be losing an hour of precious sleep as our little ones wake us up an hour earlier than usual. Oh joy.
Dr. Hana Patel, a sleep expert at Time4Sleep, explains that the change in time prompts our circadian rhythm to “re-calibrate”. This means that it can take a few days for our bodies to adjust to the new sleep cycle. While adults are used to their sleep schedules changing, it can be a little harder on children. As Dr. Patel notes, kids thrive on routine and the clocks changing can disrupt their natural sleep schedule.
So, what can parents do to help their children adjust to the time change? Some sleep experts recommend gradually shifting dinner time and bedtime earlier by 15 minutes throughout the week. However, Dr. Patel believes that consistency is key. She advises parents to focus on maintaining consistent waking times for their children throughout the week and weekend, rather than worrying about their bedtime.
She also suggests that parents of children who do not normally nap, avoid letting them nap on Saturday (the day before the clocks change), so that they will be more likely to go to bed at a normal time.
In addition to adjusting to the time change, it is also important for parents to ensure that their children have good sleep hygiene. Sophie Pickles, a parenting and early years expert for Munchkin, offers some tips for creating a peaceful bedtime routine:
1. No screens, especially in the hour before bedtime. This is because televisions, computer screens, phones, and tablets emit blue light which stimulates the brain and can disrupt sleep.
2. Read a book or play together instead. Keeping the environment calm and quiet is key for promoting good sleep. Reading before bedtime is not only a relaxing activity, but it also helps to develop language and comprehension skills and promotes mental well-being.
3. Avoid keeping kids up later than usual. This can lead to overtiredness and difficulty falling asleep, as well as more frequent waking during the night and earlier rising in the morning.
4. Set boundaries. Bedtime can be a challenging time for children, as they may try to push boundaries or refuse to follow the bedtime routine. It is important for parents to be kind but firm in setting boundaries so that their children feel safe and secure.
As we prepare for the clocks to change this weekend, let’s remember to be patient with our children as they adjust to the new time. It may take a few days for them to get back into their normal sleep routine, but with consistency and good sleep hygiene, they will be back on track in no time.
So, good luck to all the parents out there. I’ll be thinking of you when I’m up at 4:30 am on Sunday. But let’s not forget, the start of daylight saving time also means longer days and more time to enjoy with our families. So, let’s embrace the change and look forward to all the joys that spring has to offer!
