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It’s 2023, and for better or worse, Daylights Saving Time is still in full effect, with plenty of potential to rock parents’ lives.

Ask any parent with young kids at home what they think about Daylight Saving Time (DST), and you’re likely to uncover plenty of strong feelings. Since at least 2021, we’ve been on the “brink” of ending Daylights Saving Time for good.

But in spite of campaigns this year and last to adopt the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, which would have made Daylight Saving Time permanent — no more “spring forward” or “fall backs” — it has not yet become law. (Though, to note, there’s plenty of evidence that suggests that permanent Daylight Saving Time would actually be a huge mistake — and that if we were to shift to just one time zone, it would be Daylight Standard Time that would be best for our health.)

When does Daylight Saving “Fall Back” Begin In 2023?

So here we are back in familiar territory — on the verge of losing an hour in the day. Come Sunday, November 5, 2023, our clocks will “fall” back by one hour 2 a.m.

How to adjust children’s sleep schedules for daylight savings

Even if you’ve forgotten about DST, or thought that we were finally done with the clock-shifting shenanigans and haven’t prepped the kids yet, there are a few things you can do now to help make the time transition a little easier.

Start putting your kid to bed 15 earlier and waking them up 15 minutes earlier, too right now. Shift that bedtime and rising times earlier every single day until the next Sunday.Shift the “official” fallback change to Saturday at your house instead of Sunday like the rest of the world. This way, you and the kids won’t be going extra tired into work or the school week.Invest in some blackout curtains and daylight-colored lights so you can control the day/night easier at home during the transition.Stick to your routines, whatever that looks like (taking a bath, reading a book) before bed.Do your best to help everyone sleep well the week ahead of the time switch. Be patient and have empathy.

Best of luck, parents!