"What do you mean... clock change? It is no big deal for our kids."
"I adjusted the time of all meals, naps, bath time, bedtime, etc., over the course of a few days. I found it worked really well."
Parents clearly have differing views on the matter of changing clocks, which is going to happen on 25th October 2015 at 2AM. Yesterday's 8pm will be the new 7pm.
This is an excellent opportunity, ...nay, our once a year chance, to reset our children's body clocks. And this is especially true for those of us who struggle to have them in bed early. As in early early. Come Sunday, most kids will be naturally sleepy by 7pm. I like to think of it as an investment in more adult time. Our evenings have just become an hour longer! In fact, we may have to be careful that the kids don't drift off too early in the evening. Maybe it's time to try and NOT tire them out too much during the day for once.
"What shall we do with this gifted time? Work later? Sleep longer? Party more?" Whatever we are planning, we'll hold this hour dear until we have to give it back in the spring. Splendid.
Our children however won't care. They'll experience a mini jet lag. Their body clocks may need tweaking, just when we were on such a roll after the long summer holidays. We are supposed to settle the kids into the new time before Monday morning to make sure they don't arrive an hour early at nursery.
Every family will have their own way to tackle the clock change. So instead of sweating over a carefully timed schedule, you may be much better suited to try something else. Scroll down to take the Cheat Sheet test for yourself. Then read on to see which style suits you to transition into winter time...
1.The Freestyle Family Nothing phases you or your kids. Your children have taken on your adaptable nature and together you make spontaneous team. You need your freedom and won't let unnecessary timings restrict your life. You are not known to rush home for naps. Let your children settle into the new time naturally.
2. The Champion Planners You are organized and very punctual. This makes you a great candidate to adjust your child's bedtime routine, naps and meals in 15-minute increments over the course of four days. And this detailed work will be worth it. By Sunday they will be in bed an hour earlier (fingers crossed!)
3. The Show Must Go On 'Less is more' is your thing. You wouldn't make your life more complicated and insist on keeping everything simple. Deal with the time change like a long-distance traveller, once the clock has changed, family routines will be running on new time.
©Gwendi Klisa
This post first appeared on Gwen's blog.