This Sunday ,March 30th 2025 ( also mothers day!!) marks the start of daylight saving time, where the clocks will spring forward by an hour.

While the extra daylight in the evenings is something many people look forward to, the lost hour of sleep can throw our sleep schedules out the window , especially for our little ones.

You might find your child will be too sleepy to get up for school. You will be waking at the new 7am but there body is saying its 6am.

For all the early risers the 4 or 5 a.mers you might be smiling as you will now get a lay in ( spoiler alert it doesn't work with all early risers.)

So, how do you handle the transition smoothly?

Here's a few options.

1. Go Cold Turkey

If you’re a laid-back type of mum or have older children who adapt easily, this method is for you.

Simply change the clocks and carry on as usual. Sure, you might get a later wake-up, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing over the weekend. Most people’s internal clocks adjust naturally within a day or two.

If little ones are struggling to stay up an hour later at bedtime, Exposure to light inhibits the production of the sleepy hormone melatonin, so going outside to play will help keep them up a bit longer.

2. Split the Change

For those who prefer a gentler transition, start the adjustment on Saturday night.

Put the children to bed half an hour earlier than usual.

On Sunday, the routine might feel slightly off, but by Sunday night, you can move to the new normal bedtime without too much fuss.

3. Gradual Adjustment (best for babies or sensitive sleepers)

If you’ve got a baby or a child who’s particularly sensitive to routine changes, a more gradual shift might be the way to go.

Start Wednesday night, putting them to bed 15 minutes earlier.

Each night, shift the bedtime and the entire routine earlier by another 15 minutes.

By Saturday night, they’ll be going to bed a full hour earlier, ready to wake up on Sunday in sync with the new time.

With the clock change if you don't already it might be an idea to give a signal to let your child know it's now morning time.

Some ideas I have used with families are:

• Putting their favourite teddy and dummy in a "morning basket" ready for night time again.( children love little rituals like this)

• Open the curtains with enthusiasm and say, "Let’s let the sunshine in. Morning trees, morning birds"

• Play a cheerful morning song to signal the start of the day.( or sing your own)

• Get playful, maybe even a silly dance to kick off the morning with a smile.

A fun, consistent wake-up cue can help reset their internal clocks faster, and make mornings feel a little less stressful for everyone.

Whatever approach you choose, remember to be patient.

It’s normal for everyone , adults included, to feel a bit off for a few days. ( we are all unique)

Prioritise good sleep hygiene, avoid screens an hour before bed, keep rooms cooler, and stick to any usual calming pre-sleep routines. ( check out my PDF on ideas for calming down before bed, some children need a bit more than just colouring)

A word of caution -don't make lots of changes to bedtime at this time of clock change.

And let’s not forget the silver lining, more daylight. The warmer weather is coming.

The extra evening light is perfect for getting outside after work or school, whether it’s a walk, a bike ride, or just enjoying some fresh air. It’s a great boost for mood and focus , so ideal before homework and it helps shake off the winter blues.

So while the lost hour of sleep might sting at first, the brighter evenings ahead are something to look forward to.

If you want support with getting more sleep as a family , check out my sleep page.

Happy spring forward, brighter evenings are on the way. :)