Parenting|

The First Night Is The Hardest, And 4 More Things You Need To Know As You Prepare For Daylight Savings Time

by Scary Mommy Team

Sure, everyone knows we lose an hour of precious sleep thanks to Daylight Savings Time. (Well, everyone except those of us who have to do the “gain an hour or lose an hour?” math every time.) But lost sleep is pretty much all we know and there’s actually more to it than that.

As you manage this dreadful time warp, here’s a little more info about what to expect that may help your family adjust a little easier to missing that hour of slumber.

Sleep Training Can Make a Comeback

Losing an hour of sleep? Yeah, it’s safe to say our body goes through the changes. No, not menopause (well, at least not yet). Just that one hour can throw everyone’s circadian rhythm out of whack, but you can prepare. Adjust everyone’s bedtime by 15 minutes every day in the week leading up to Daylight Savings. And if your kids still need help getting back on track, ask your health care provider about Vicks PURE Zzzs Kidz — chewable gummies and liquid specifically designed for kids with a low dose of melatonin (.5 mg) and a complementary blend of chamomile and lavender to help your child fall asleep naturally.*

Plan Yourself For The Morning Drag

Yes, mornings are hectic, but with Daylight Savings, they’re next-level groggy. Forgotten passwords, shoes on the wrong feet, and cold coffee left in the microwave for hours can be a drag. You can prepare for the chaos by pouring your morning coffee into a metal tumbler (it will stay warm for hours) and committing to turning off your camera for all Zoom meetings before noon.

Prepare for the Picky Eaters

As if it wasn’t hard enough getting your kid to eat the dinner you poured your entire soul into, Daylight Savings Time bursts in to say, “Hold my seltzer.” Springing forward an hour means your kids might not be very hungry when this new dinner time rolls around. Similar to adjusting their bed time, try moving up dinner time in the days leading up to Daylight Savings to get their appetite adjusted and ready.

Screens Aren’t Your Friend (For Now)

If your kid’s bedtime routine includes some amount of screentime, start adjusting that now. Not because we’re judging (absolutely not!) but because the blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production. That can make falling asleep even more challenging for kids. Along with the sunlight that’s probably still streaming into their windows, this is no bueno. If your kid needs a little extra sleep support, Vicks PURE Zzzs Kidz provides a low dose of melatonin to help your child fall asleep naturally and includes botanicals like lavender and chamomile.*

The First Night Will Be The Toughest

Here’s some good news: it (usually) gets easier after that first “new bedtime” when Daylight Savings Time returns. Since the shift is only an hour (or one time zone), theoretically the first night will be the toughest. So, make it a little easier on yourself by planning to be outdoors as much as possible on Sunday. Wear your kids OUT. Fresh air and exercise helps reset the biological clocks of our kids. Get or make blackout curtains to dim the light in your child’s bedroom. Plan for warm and cozy bath time and ease your way into a new schedule.

Like everything else you do as a mom, kids pick up on your signals. As much as possible, remind yourself that this too shall pass. Yes, you’re exhausted but you’ve made it this far and you’ll make it through this, too.

Vicks PURE Zzzs Kidz believes every child deserves a good night’s sleep. Ask your doctor about the unique drug-free blend of melatonin, lavender and chamomile to see if it’s right for your child.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.