It is said to be the scariest night of the year.
But as Halloween approaches, it’s not just trick-or-treating or kids consuming tons of sugar that parents are dreading.
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If you want to avoid Halloween hell with your little ones, here are 5 changes you need to start making.Credit: Getty
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Clocks change on October 27th. That means you’ll need to start adjusting your child’s bedtime, unless you want a super early start on Monday Credit: Shutterstock
In fact, when the clocks turn back on Sunday, October 27th, your child’s sleep habits may fly out the window.
But according to parenting expert Hannah Powser, there are some simple steps you can take to make this change more manageable for kids and parents.
plan ahead
“As daylight savings time comes to an end, it’s important to consider how it will affect your family’s daily life,” explains Hanna, head of parenting content at Nordic baby sleep monitoring app Napper. Masu.
“While some may welcome the earlier schedule, others may find it confusing.
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“To ease the transition for children, gradually shift bedtimes by 15 minutes over several days.
“Adjust naps as well if needed.”
You may find that late naps make bedtime difficult. That’s why a sleep tracking app like Napper can help you plan naps so they don’t interfere with your child’s bedtime.
become brighter
“As daylight hours become shorter, it’s important to make sure children are exposed to as much natural light as possible during the day,” adds Hannah.
“Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep-wake cycles, which helps promote healthy sleep habits.
“To encourage children to spend more time outside, parents can participate in outdoor activities together, such as going for a walk, visiting a playground, or exploring a local park. .
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“Not only does this get them outdoors, but it also creates some quality bonding time.”
If your child has a hard time relaxing at the end of the day, consider engaging them in indoor activities like reading or arts and crafts to “create a cozy nighttime routine.”
“Soft lighting and soothing music can also be helpful to create a relaxing environment for your child,” says Hannah.
routine time
You might not think that changing the clock will have a positive impact on your child’s daily life, but it can actually have a positive impact.
Hannah explains: “Time changes are a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce positive routines, such as a consistent bedtime routine,” she continues.
“A calming activity that stays the same every night will help your child calm down and know it’s time for bed.
When do the clocks change?
Clocks change on the last Sunday in October, this year on October 27th.
At 2 a.m., clocks move back one hour from British Summer Time (BST), also known as Summer Time, back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Clocks remain unchanged until the last Sunday in March, when they move forward one hour at 1 a.m.
“Establishing a bedtime routine is as simple as following a predictable set of calming activities, such as taking a bath, reading a bedtime story, and dimming the lights.
“This consistency allows children to know when it’s bedtime and creates a sense of security that supports better rest.”
screen scream
Screen time is a big part of many young children’s day, but you should be careful to keep your child away from screens when bedtime approaches.
Exposure to natural light helps regulate your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps promote healthy sleep habits.
Hannah Powser taking a nap
“Establishing a clear routine and setting limits on screen time can also be helpful,” advises Hannah.
“If kids know their screen time is scheduled, they’re more likely to explore other activities when screen time ends, like spending time outside.
“Even if you complain about being ‘bored’ at first, boredom often inspires you to come up with new creative activities.”
oh sugar
And when Halloween comes around, trick-or-treating kids usually go home with buckets overflowing with sweet treats.
They usually also sneak a walk or two along the way.
However, it’s a good idea to “set expectations in advance” to avoid a sugar rush that can negatively impact your sleep.
“Tell your child that they can enjoy a certain amount of sweets from the treats they collect, and that they can save the rest and share it next weekend,” says Hannah.
“Many children are surprisingly receptive to this plan when they know what’s going to happen.”
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It’s also important to consider how much screen time your child is getting – especially right before bedtime Credit: Getty
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