How to Manage the Clock Changes with Your Kids
The clock changes are coming! Time to adjust those alarms and reset the microwave display!
In the UK, on the 30th of October 2022, when the clock strikes 2am we’ll all be winding back by an hour. Extra sleep… yes please and thank you! But just because the time is re-setting, doesn’t mean your kiddie’s body clocks will be up to speed.
We’ve got a few ideas on how you can stick to bedtime routines, prevent restless nights, and make it as easy as possible for your youngsters to get the best night’s sleep all year round. More counting sheep and less staring at the ceiling! After all, if your little lambs are sleeping better, then hopefully you will be too!
1. Banish Screens and Blue Light Before Bedtime
It’s been proven that exposing ourselves to bright lights and artificial blue lighting before bed, can disrupt our biological clocks and trick our bodies into thinking it’s still daytime.
The National Sleep Foundation recommend kids (and adults for that matter) are screen-free at least 30 minutes before bedtime. That means ridding all TVs, PCs, tablets, phones and any device or screen that emits harsh light. This isn’t as tricky with little ones, but techy teens can really struggle to switch off!
Loft beds like the Ava High Sleeper Bed with Desk and Wardrobe help keep their sleep space separate, so they’re not as inclined to stay up late binging boxsets! The UK single bed can be clear of distracting tech and left on the full-width desk below, helping avoid temptation.
With bookshelves on either side of their mattress, style with a lamp and tweens and teens can try reading before bed instead.
2. Choose Temperature Regulating Bedding
One of the main causes of disturbed sleep is not resting at the right temperature. Either being too hot or too cold can lead to uncomfortable and interrupted nights. Other than adjusting thermostats, investing in electric blankets or digging out the old hot water bottle, a great way to regulate temperatures is through high-quality, natural bedding.
Dutch brand Snurk are self-confessed sleep advocates! Helping little ones get their forty winks, each of their incredible photographic bedding sets has been made from 100% natural cotton.
Known to be breathable and moisture-wicking with natural temperature-regulating qualities, the single cotton duvet covers and pillowcases were made for catching ZZZs! Available in all colours, designs and themes, there’s a bedding set for every sleepyhead!
3. Bedtime Stories, Then Sleep
It can often be hard to stick to a bedtime routine, especially in the darker months. Life and day-to-day goings on can get in the way! A great way of keeping to your kiddie’s sleep schedule is through reading. Pick a dedicated time each night to read together, or independently, and establish a ‘lights out’ rule. Kiddies will look forward to bedtime with their favourite books and stories waiting for them and this quiet and calming activity helps relax them before bed.
Fill the Fraser Single Storage Bookcase Bed with Trundle Drawer with novels, tales and poems and position a lamp on the headboard so they can read a chapter or two before they hit the pillow. And for avid readers and bibliophile boffins, there’s enough space in the under-bed drawer for the rest of their collection!
If you’d rather keep their bookcase separate from their sleep setup, try creating a quiet reading nook instead.
For the cosiest of corners – they’ll love the Extreme Lounging Mini B Teddy Indoor Bean Bag and Lifetime Bookcase with 1 Shelf! The bean bag’s mouldable beads and snuggly fabric helps relax and soothe while kids unwind and the cabinet keeps their picturebooks contained behind closed doors, so they won’t be distracted when it’s finally time to get to bed.
4. Style with Soothing Lighting
Main bedroom light fittings might be too bright before bedtime. The brighter the lights, the more alert kiddies will be and the less inclined they’ll be to sleep! And abruptly turning lights off, to be greeted with complete darkness, can be daunting for some – especially now the evenings are getting darker!
Soft, decorative lighting helps kids wind down and ease little ones into a deep slumber. They’re great at alleviating bedtime anxiety and keeping those monsters at bay.
The handmade Cotton Ball Lights LED String Lights come in every colour combo! Providing little ones with a warm and reassuring glow, the alternating colourful cotton balls give off just the right amount of light. USB-powered, attach to a power bank or adapter and hang around bedframes, nightstands, curtains or window sills so they can drift off gently.
5. Create Calming and Clutter-free Zones
Studies have shown that sleeping in a clutter-free bedroom actually improves sleep quality! If you find that your kids struggle with the clock changes and aren’t getting the sleep they need, then it might be time to try a bedroom de-clutter!
Helping get bedrooms organised – hide clutter inside the Lars Low Cabin Bed to ensure surfaces and sides are fuss-free. Featuring drawers with recessed handles, a shelf and a trundle drawer – everything will be contained in one space rather than being spread out around their bedroom. Styled in white and soft grey, the simple design creates a calming environment, so distractions are kept to a minimum.
In need of more storage space? The Kids Wizard High Sleeper Storage Bed in White by Flair Furniture has it all – wardrobe, drawers, shelves, bookcase and bed (of course)! All tucked away in one compact pod, not only will you save on space and excess furniture purchases, but bedrooms will be tidy and sleep will be saved!
6. Clean and Comfortable Beds
Protecting mattresses, the Panda London Bamboo Mattress Protector makes certain that beds can be clean and comfortable through the clock changes and beyond!
Made from natural materials with a waterproof inner layer, the Oeko-Tex bamboo and cotton eco-cover extends the life of their mattress and rids kids of bedtime anxiety if they have a little accident.
Naturally anti-bacterial and machine washable, sheets will be fresh and kids will be comfortable throughout the night. Available in every size, from cot sheets to super king – you can have one too!
7. Bedside Tables for Bedtime Drinks
A place for all of their night-time essentials – the Vox Concept Bedside Cabinet is a must-have for kiddies!
Behind the soft-close door, the two shelves could be used to store books or hideaway devices. Then on the bedside tabletop – their e-book audio player, nightlight or lamp, and bedtime drink are within arm’s reach should they need them in the night.
And when it’s time to start the day, alarm clocks will surely let them know… now that the mornings aren’t as bright, they might need a push!
8. Bunk Beds That Don’t Disturb
The clock changes are hard enough to manage when you’ve got just one kiddywink, but throw in siblings, bedroom sharing and staggered bedtimes and it’s a whole other ballgame!
If your kiddies need to share a room, the Parisot Bibliobed Kids Bunk Bed guarantees they’ll both be getting their 8 hours! Designed with a wide staircase instead of a ladder or steps, whoever ends up getting the top bed can make their way up without disturbing their bunkmate below. Separate bedtimes never have to be an issue.
Each kiddy gets their own shelves too – style both levels with lamps and get each of them headphones if they like to listen to audiobooks before bed. Just a few simple changes make bedroom sharing a breeze and individual body clocks get chance to catch up!
Tick Tock – It’s Time For a Kid’s Bedroom Makeover!
With the clock changes just around the corner, now is the perfect time to better your kiddie’s bedtime routine! From finding the right kid’s bed to refreshing their bedding, with our selection, your nightly rituals will go undisturbed this October 30th! Still have a few Q’s about Z’s? Call us on +44 (0) 1305 231231 or email customerservice@cuckooland.com so you can sleep easy too!