Lazy Moms Rejoice: Daylight Saving Time Is Finally Over!
I've never been a fan of Daylight Saving Time, so I was pretty bummed out when it was officially extended another four weeks back in 2007.
Because DST sucks, that's why. Sure, it's not so bad in the summer, when all that extra light lends itself to outdoor dining and evening strolls on the beach. But once the school year hits and we start inching towards the end of fall, I find waking during those pitch-black morning hours to be seriously depressing.
"It feels like the middle of the night," my daughter whined just last week when I tried to rouse her in the darkness of 6:00 a.m. for school.
"Don't worry," I told her. "We get to change the clocks back next Sunday." Then I cartwheeled out of her room.
OK, maybe that last part was a lie. But changing the clocks back is something I look forward to all year. Extra hour of sleep? Check. Kids going to bed earlier? Word. An easier time getting the whole fam up and dressed and out of the house in the morning without anyone slamming a door in my face? Bring. It. On!
I used to think I was the only psycho who actually liked the fact that it starts getting dark outside about an hour after my kids get home from school. But after watching this awesome new video featuring Elle Walker from What's Up Moms, I now realize the end of DST is basically the holy grail for lazy moms everywhere.
"When every effort to get your kids to bed at a reasonable hour has failed, it's time to fall back on Daylight Saving Fall Back," Elle explains.
I already like where she's going with this. (And yes, you read that right, there's no 'S' at the end of Saving. Mind = blown.)
"On November 4th," the frustrated mama continues, "by doing nothing different during your semi-dysfunctional bedtime routine, you turn the clocks back an hour and your kids are asleep by 8."
Like magic!
"Now most moms will totally stress about how this transition affects their baby's intricate schedule," Elle warns. "That's why I never got you on a schedule."
Love that excuse! Totally stealing it. And while all the helicopters will probs be miffed about their kids waking up at the crack of dawn and ruining that last crucial hour of beauty sleep, laid-back moms like Elle see the Fall Back as a chance to finally kick morning's butt.
"This is an opportunity to actually be on time for preschool," she explains. "To be an Early Mom."
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Of course, all good things must come to an end. And in about a week, your kids will start to adjust to the new schedule and you'll be back to square one. Which means you need to make the most of the Fall Back while you still can.
"They say even a broken clock is right twice a day," Elle says, happily pouring her self a nice big glass of red wine. "Well, your parenting strategy is right once a year. So enjoy that extra hour, and have a happy Daylight Savings...Saving."
I still think it sounds better the other way.
Hollee Actman Becker is a freelance writer, blogger, and a mom. Check out her website holleeactmanbecker.com for more, and then follow her on Twitter at @holleewoodworld.
