Do you dread time changes every year? Do your kids have a hard time acclimating? We have been there. I know the first couple of years were spent with lots of crying and whining.
The number one thing that really helped us was starting a week early. We would change our entire schedule to acclimate for the upcoming time change.
The Monday Before
Starting on the Monday before Daylight Savings, I would wake the boys up 15 minutes early. Then I would continue to have the whole schedule be 15 minutes early. So 15 minutes early for snack, lunch, naptime, etc.
Example: Wake up at 7:45 instead of 8:00 am; Lunch at 11:45 instead of 12:00; bed at 7:45 instead of 8:00 pm.
Tuesday
Then Tuesday, I would do the same schedule as Monday, 15 minutes early.
Wednesday & Thursday
These 2 days I would wake the boys up 30 minutes early. Then the rest of the day would be 30 minutes earlier for all activities.
Example: Wake up at 7:30 instead of 8:00 am; Lunch at 11:30 instead of 12:00; bed at 7:30 instead of 8:00 pm.
Friday & Saturday
Yup. You guessed it. These 2 days would be 45 minutes early.
Example: Wake up at 7:15 instead of 8:00 am; Lunch at 11:15 instead of 12:00; bed at 7:15 instead of 8:00 pm.
Daylight Savings Sunday
Now you should be back on schedule.
Example: Wake up 8:00 am; Lunch at 12:00; bed at 8:00 pm.
This change of schedule really helped our boys, especially when the boys were really little. It even seemed to help us to acclimate as well.
This works for falling back. For springing forward, you would add 15 minutes for 2 days, add 30 minutes for 2 days, and then add 45 minutes for 2 days. That will put you on the right schedule for spring.
If you would like, we have created a free cheat sheet to help you for the week before Daylight Savings. Just sign up below.
