That annual right of spring - Daylight Savings Time - has arrived early this year. (Remember it used to occur 1 month later - but in the name of energy conservation the powers that be have moved Daylight Savings time to March)

So, don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead by one hour!

I rather like the extra daylight in the evening hours - the kids can play outside longer, and running around to after school activities doesn’t have to happen in the dark. Plus, I know that summer is just around the corner and that means warm weather.

The problem with Daylight Savings Time that many parents of young children face is the adjustment period. Just because we change the clocks doesn’t mean that babies will automatically adjust their internal clocks to the new schedule. Some parents gradually implement daylight savings time, by turning the clock in 15 minute increments over the course of 4 days. But this requires discipline and organization - made more difficult by the fact that the rest of the country is not on the same schedule.

My approach was like most, turn the clocks on cue and figure the kids will “get it” eventually. They may be cranky for a week as they adjust - especially if you have to keep a tight schedule of preschool and daycare but then they will be good to go until the fall when we decide to confuse them yet again!

Photograph by yveslorson.