Daylight saving and the act of springing clocks ahead one hour is almost here. This Sunday, March 13, 2022, event has many parents shaking their heads in dreaded discontent. It is only a sixty-minute time
Blackout curtains in a little one’s bedroom during the days, weeks, or even months ahead of daylight savings can help soften the blow of morning disorientation. If a child’s room is consistently dark for sleeping, the change in the clock should not matter quite as much when it comes to going to bed or waking up in the morning.
Mealtimes should also be subtly adjusted before DST hits. The overindulging on snacks needs to be avoided so that parents do not find themselves in the position of being constantly asked for granola bars or treats within the same hour of mealtime. Just as kids should not overdo it on the snack eating, parents must be careful to avoid the late in the day caffeine splurge. Going without an extra kick of caffeine and changing what is already a strategic schedule sounds miserable, but it will all help in getting a family ready to enjoy the many things Daylight Saving has to offer.
Enjoying more sunshine
Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time can be uncomfortable but celebrating it can be fun. The longer evenings give families more time to play in their backyards and go on neighborhood walks after a day of work, school, and play. It is important to capitalize on these opportunities when the weather permits because it will make the clock change much more bearable. Here are a few quick suggestions to help families celebrate Daylight Saving Time:
- Try eating dinner in the evening on the patio, picnic style. Being outside with the fresh air is good for everyone’s appetite and also keeps the falling crumbs outdoors.
- Have a bedtime snack with the kids in their tree house or on the deck. The sun sets later, so there are many more minutes of outside time to squeeze into a family’s day. Eating a snack in one’s yard also lessens the mess, so bring on the popsicles, s’mores, and sticky peanut butter celery sticks.
- Take some time to enjoy and reflect on a beautiful sunrise. The sun rises later with DST, so parents can watch for it while enjoying a cup of coffee before the chaos of the day takes hold.
DST leads to more outdoor activity in the evenings, less screen time indoors, and the potential for savings on energy costs. So, while parents may cringe at the thought of adjusting their morning and evening schedules by an hour, it really is a wonderful thing in the long run. Daylight Saving Time means more sunshine, more playtime, and more reasons to get outside with loved ones.
ParentCo.
Author