Spring Forward--Daylight Savings Time and Your Child

The adjustment to Daylight Standard time comes on Sunday, March 10th.

It’s almost time to spring forward! I’m currently looking out the window and it is snowing, so it makes it hard to believe summer is coming back. Time to pull out the shorts, swimsuits, and flip flops. Well, maybe not just yet. But maybe start thinking about your garden or getting your patio ready to BBQ? Are you looking for fun events in your area or activities or camps for your little ones?

Have you started thinking about the time change? I have a few pointers to help your family with a smooth transition forward to daylight savings time. If you are a stay-at-home parent, you can make the transition slow by pulling meals, naps, and BT back by 15 mins every 2-3 days a week prior.

For older kiddos (2-3yo+) you can pull everything 30 mins earlier and may not need to start the adjustment until Thursday or Friday before the time changes.

For kiddos going to daycare/school, you will need to start the transition Friday night (3/8) before the time change (3/10). You can start with 15 mins earlier BT on Friday night, then Saturday morning start to pull back meals and naps by the 15/30 mins, then Saturday night do a 30 mins earlier BT. Sunday morning you can use the new daylight savings time to set meals and naps or if they are still adjusting, that is fine, you have the whole day and night before they head to daycare/school the next day to help them adjust.

Just know that it may take up to a week for all our bodies to adjust to the new time. Be patient and give them grace. Our circadian rhythm is mostly set by light so make sure you have some light, natural, if possible, first thing in the morning and in the afternoon. Routines and meals also help to set our circadian rhythm so continue with your set routines and meals.

Good luck and remember to try to enjoy all the extra daylight.

Sleep Well!

Julie Kennedy

Julie Kennedy, MA, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Gentle Sleep Coach®

If you would like to have a complementary 15 minute chat with me to see if sleep coaching would benefit your family, please click here.