Here is your reminder to "Fall Back" this Saturday night (technically 2am on November 3) after you put the kiddos to bed and gain an hour of sleep. Oh wait, you're a parent! You won't get any extra sleep but you might have a few extra semi-annual chores to complete on Sunday. This is a great time of year to...
- Find the one clock in your house that does not turn itself back automatically (stove, coffee pot, or microwave most likely).
- Change the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
- Review and practice fire escape and family disaster plans.
- Inspect tires, headlights, taillights, and brake lights on all of your vehicles.
- Inspect tires, brakes, and reflectors on bicycles and scooters.
- Turn and flip your mattresses.
- Check your medicines, vitamins, and first aid kits, replacing expired items and restocking items that have been used.
- Schedule needed doctor and/or dentist appointments.
Now that your chores are done, how about a few jokes?
What does a clock do when it's hungry?
It goes back for/four seconds!
When does a clock strike thirteen?
When it's broken!
Why didn’t the clock work?
It needed a hand.
At what time does a duck wake up?
At the quack of dawn.
How do you know if your clock is crazy?
It goes "cuckoo"!
Why did the girl throw the clock out the window?
Because she wanted to see time fly.
CREATE A BUFFER TO SURVIVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!
Whether we are falling back or springing forward, daylight savings time can wreak havoc on us... and our kids. Let's face it, kids don't care what the clock says. They will continue on their normal routine, no matter what you tell them about the "new time". It is much easier to deal with this change when you prepare a bit in advance!
Create a buffer around bedtime, naptimes, and meal times in the days leading up to the fall time change. Start adjusting your daily schedule by 15 minutes each day so that you can gradually get used to the new times instead of a dramatic change on Sunday (and especially Monday!).
