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Outsmarting Daylight Savings Time: A Few Tricks to Help Ease Your Children’s Transition to the Time Change

2/26/2019

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The dreaded daylight savings is upon us! We "spring forward" this Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 am. It often feels like we just recovered from one time change, and another is approaching.  So what can we do to help our kids adjust to this change (and keep our sanity!)?

In an ideal world, we could to begin to shift our children’s schedules a week ahead of time. Every few days we’d move their sleep and mealtimes by 15 minutes, so by the time daylight savings hits, they’ve already adjusted. Despite this being the “official recommendation” for a smooth daylight savings transition, I’ve yet to meet one person to actually do it (myself included with my own kids!).  The world outside our homes doesn’t accommodate such a gentle shift; school starts when school starts and you need to get to work on time, not 15-45 minutes late. 

Never fear! Here are some tips to help your children adjust to the new time.

Expose your children to lots of sunlight during the day.  Our circadian rhythms align with the sun, so exposure to natural light helps our bodies adjust to the appropriate time.

Now that it’s lighter later, children often protest going to bed when the sun is up.  About 30 minutes prior to bedtime, dim the lights to help the body transition to nighttime.  Room darkening shades can really help with this, too.  Keep the environment calm, and quiet before bed to get children relaxed and ready to sleep. 
​Stick with your bedtime routine.  If you don’t have a bedtime routine already, now is a great time to start. Children thrive on routines, so having one can be incredibly helpful to give structure to the time before bed.  A quiet routine is calming to them and helps them relax and ease into bedtime. It can be as simple as pajamas on, brush teeth, read a book/sing a song, lights out.  Don’t make it overly complex. You want this to be replicable daily, and easily done by a babysitter in your absence.  

Minimize exposure to electronics at least an hour prior to bedtime. This is true all year round, but especially now when we’re trying to help kids adjust to daylight savings time. Electronic screens emit a blue light that mimics a bright, sunny sky and tricks the body into thinking it is daytime. The result of this is that melatonin, the hormone that helps induce sleep, is suppressed, making it more challenging to fall asleep.

If all else fails, find a big mug and fill it with coffee. I’m sure you’ll be in good company!

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Lauren Lappen is a Certified Sleep Consultant and co-founder of Wee Sleep Solutions.  As a mom of daughter Ellie and twins Rebecca and Kira, Lauren recognized the importance of self-care and sought to instill healthy sleep habits in her children so that she could ensure her own rest and be at her best as a parent, wife and friend.   
 
Lauren studied under Deborah Pedrick, a pioneer in the field and founder of the Family Sleep Institute (FSI) and International Association of Child Sleep Consultants. She is thrilled to be able to educate families on the importance of sleep and to empower parents with the knowledge and ability to teach their kids to love sleep as much as her girls do!


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Top Tips for Choosing a Sleep-Away Camp

2/4/2019

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Do the freezing temperatures have you dreaming of warm summer days?  While summer is still months away, now is the perfect time to plan for summer camp.  Choosing the right camp for your child is a big decision. As a Camp Consultant, I encourage families to start the process early.  This allows you to the opportunity to tour camps and see camp-life in real time.  

​Below are my top tips for choosing a sleep away camp.  I recently went through the same process for my 8 year old and used this criteria.  There’s a lot to consider! 
 
Meet the Directors 
The camp directors set the tone for camp and are involved in every aspect of how the camp is run. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  
 
Know your Non-negotiables
Before touring you need to narrow down your options:  
Do you want a co-ed, single sex or brother sister-camp?
Can a camp handle your child’s allergies?
Do you want a uniform?
What location would you like?
Do you prefer a religious affiliation?
 
Safety First 
The safety of a camp is a top priority! You want to know: 
Are their nurses and physicians on the premises? 
Where’s the nearest hospital?
Are kids wearing appropriate safety equipment for sports and waterfront activities?
How does the camp hire and train staff?
 
Camp Culture
Each camp is a mini world of its own, complete with traditions, history and culture. Find out:
How does the camp handle bullying?  
How is the homesick child handled?
Does the camp emphasize cooperation or competition?
Will they have enough food choices for your picky eater?

For answers and guidance call me. I’m here to help you start a list and give you guidance every step of the way:

Lauren Lappen
Camp Consultant
CAMP SPECIALISTS
The smart way to choose the right camp
914-882-3486
laurenlappen@campspecialists.com

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