Family Friendly Winter Walks
Hot chocolate season is here, and this can only mean one thing, the South of England is turning into a wonderland of frosty walks.
Clocks Go Back: Tips for Kids
It’s coming up to that time again where the evenings grow darker earlier, and that only means one thing. It’s time to turn the clocks back again. This year, daylight savings time ends on Sunday 27th October. We know this shift in time can be especially confusing for kids, it can lead to early mornings and moody evenings. So, we have gathered 5 simple, yet practical tips to help you and your little ones transition smoothly into the new season.
Tip 1: Make the most of morning light
Try to get as much natural light in as possible in the mornings, whether this be eating breakfast near windows, walking to school, getting off the bus a few stops before and walking the rest of the way or even just a little playtime outdoors before the day begins. This can make all the difference in your child feeling more awake in the mornings and tired in the evenings because natural light helps your body clock to reset.
Tip 2: Adjust gradually
Try gradually moving your child’s routine forward over the next few days. For example, try moving bedtime 10 minutes later each day. This will help their body clock ease into the new season without too much disruption.
Tip 3: Keeping routines calm and consistent
Just because the clocks go back, doesn’t mean all previous routines have to go out the window. Consistency is key and can help with calmer routines. For example, continue giving warm, comforting baths and continue reading a story before bed. By keeping their routine as similar as possible, it can help them to know it’s time to wind down, despite what the clock says.
Tip 4: Be patient
Adjusting to clock changes, whether it’s now or in the spring, is yet another parenting challenge, so take time for yourself too. It’s completely normal for kids (and yourself) to take a few days to adjust. Use the extra hour to slow down and enjoy quiet time together. Our very own Busy Boo Book is now available, and it can help kids to wind down during the extra hour in the evenings and support their new sleep schedule. Get your free copy here. Just remember that things will settle again in a week or two, this is only temporary.
Tip 5: Early mornings
It is a confusing time for little ones; they may wake up early for a few days or struggle to sleep at night. If so, try not to rush in straight away, give them a chance to settle themselves. If not, let them enjoy some quiet morning activities, let them play or read in their room. We have a YouTube video designed to get kids up and moving in the mornings, this can help to normalise a new time to wake up.
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