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Support thread for those dreading the clocks changing in the UK. Sign in here!

129 replies

smackapacca · 23/10/2011 20:35

Just realising that we're in for a few dreadful days/nights.... Clocks changing, fireworks and stinking trick or treaters.

Fireworks upset the dog, but we can keep the TV on. I take the batteries out of the doorbell on Halloween (again - can't be doing with the dog barking) but then there is THE CLOCK CHANGE.

My DC are just under 2 & 4. The 4yo has a sleep clock which works OK but not perfect. This week they have started the day at 6.30am but not come into us until 7 which isn't too bad. They can entertain themselves noisily for 30 minutes.

But next week I can't hope for anywhere near this kind of pattern.

Anyone got good ideas/plans? What does everyone else do??

OP posts:
lovechoc · 28/10/2011 13:04

The only way I cope is going to be around 8pm now since DS2 has now started sleeping through the night since beginning of the week. He is up at around 5am now each morning since he started sleeping through.

lovechoc · 28/10/2011 13:05

*going to bed

Liskey · 28/10/2011 13:07

Tried moving DD bedtime to 19.30 last night to encourage her to sleep later. She woke up at 04.50 for the day which wasn't very popular.

lovechoc · 28/10/2011 13:19

liskey I was going to try that one but remember DS1 just waking up at the same time the following morning (if not earlier!!) when trying that sneaky trick. Not going to try and attempt it with DS2. Wish there was a solution to this..

Liskey · 28/10/2011 13:24

She's now napping happily - me and DH are fighting grumpiness! Where can i vote to stop changing the clocks? [hsmile]

smackapacca · 28/10/2011 15:33

I would love not to have to change the clock. Aren't there some stats about road deaths going up too?

I know in the grand scheme of things this isn't a huge deal but it still irritates me every 6 months.

OP posts:
lovechoc · 28/10/2011 15:46

lol @ liskey Glad you've got a bit respite during this afternoon. DS2 just gave in at 3.30pm after fighting his nap at 1pm.

Sowlers · 28/10/2011 19:51

smackapaka no it's not really a big deal as you say but in our sleep deprived states it's a HUGE deal!!! Some days I find myself so tired I actually can't think, so the thought of even a couple of days of even less sleep is soul destroying Sad
But after all that, I went upstairs today when I heard DS2 stir and he was peeping out of the bars of his cot at me with a huge grin on his face and I think it's all worth it!

Sowlers · 28/10/2011 19:52

Oops sorry smackapacca, see I can't even spell I'm so bleary eyed!

smackapacca · 28/10/2011 19:53

That's Ok - you sound shattered! DO you have anything planned for Sunday?

OP posts:
Sowlers · 28/10/2011 20:20

Two parties!! Both birthdays but Halloween theme. Should be good fun. I'm really struggling with tiredness to be honest and I get at least 6 hours which is more than a lot of people. I think it's the early mornings, a baby, a manic 3 year old and just generally feeling a bit run down. DH off for a few days now so hopefully I'll get some me time (even if it's doing the supermarket shop alone!!!)

smackapacca · 28/10/2011 20:24

Oh I embrace a supermarket shop!

(and I shop in ALDI!!!!)

OP posts:
Sowlers · 29/10/2011 18:33

Good luck tonight/tomorrow everyone Smile

vez123 · 29/10/2011 20:42

Thanks will report tomorrow! Made sure to tire out DS in the park this afternoon so that he gets a decent night sleep..hopefully!

Abubu · 30/10/2011 05:55

So I've been up with my toddler an hour already. She wanted to get out of bed at 4am but I tried to let her cry it out. Eventually gave up at 4.45.

I hope everyone else in the country without LOs are all enjoying their lie ins this morning. Envy

Tinkerisdead · 30/10/2011 06:01

Someone with a three year old said to me gleefully 'oh another hour in bed'. I said not in our house dd will still be up ultra early. So we pushed bedtime later and all that and there she was at 5.20am this morning. This time she was gleeful 'look mummy i slept in my own bed, and i've put my own slippers on!' so despite the bleary eyes i've had to praise praise praise.

Thankyou milkshake who actually put some kids tv on from 5.30!! Xxxxxxx

Sowlers · 30/10/2011 06:25

Not too bad here, officially 5.50 everyone was up but that's way better than the 4.30 I was half expecting! Today wont be so bad as I went to bed my usual 10pm it's the next few days that could be tiring as my body clock adjusts and the kids take a little longer. But it seems my efforts to move meals naps and bedtime on a little everyday have helped.
Hope you all have a good day. Smile

YougreatPumpkinmousse · 30/10/2011 06:39

We don't change clocks here until later in the day - so the DD2 got up as normal at 6.15 and DD1 at 7 after DH is up and just before church we will change clocks and run on winter time from then. It makes for less grumpy parenting it you don't feel like it's 5.15 that first morning :) Tomorrow nursery/CM so into normal routine and things should Hmm fall back into place in a few days.

CountBapula · 30/10/2011 07:01

DS (13 mo) went to bed at 8pm as usual, woke up at 12:30am (or was it 1:30am? Confused then back down until 5:30. I brought him in with us for a bf and he dozed off. He's still asleep now, but is lying with his head right on my bladder and I'm dying for a wee Hmm

At least I didn't have to actually get up at 5:30 but I've been awake since then Hmm

smackapacca · 30/10/2011 19:24

Well here we are!

We stayed out REALLY late last night. It worked somewhat. DD was first up at 6.30am (new time), then DS was up much later. DH got up with them and let me lie in until 8am which was nice. DS also had an afternoon nap.

It was going OK, right up until bedtime. DS went down like a dream, and DD was proper pissing around. I really shouted at her Blush and walked out so i didn't smack her. It's all gone quiet now so I guess she's passed out. I do feel bad though.

OP posts:
matana · 30/10/2011 19:46

DS woke at 6am new time but was happy to chatter away to himself for another hour before he got whingey. I distracted him immensely this morning to delay breakfast and his first nap by an hour, but then the rest of the day went according to plan. He's asleep in bed now and i hope his body clock has already readjusted itself for tomorow morning wake up 7-7.30. We'll see. I prefer to just go with the new time from when we wake up, rather than easing into it over several nights. And it doesn't matter what time i put my DS to sleep, he will always wake up at exactly the same time in the morning regardless.

Sowlers · 31/10/2011 06:19

Don't feel bad smackapacca sometimes walking out and leaving the situation is definitely the right thing to do, they are masters of emotional blackmail!!
Well morning number 2 had DS2 up at 5.30 and DS1 up at 6, early but way better than the 4.30 and 5 starts I was half expecting! If only they would let me watch Downton Abbey instead of Thomas the Tank engine I wouldn't even be that annoyed it is so early!Smile

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 31/10/2011 06:41

Can I join you all blease with my blearyness. DD has had an ear infection so the last two weeks have been 4.30 - 5.30am starts. Luckily she'd started improving and staying asleep till 6 in the few days before change, so dealt with 5am starts last two mornings.
Last night I was shattered so went to bed at half nine, won't bore you with the details but ended up arguing with DH till nearly 1am then slept awfully, awake every hour. Got two one and a half hour journeys to do today as well. Good job DD is so cute, otherwise she'd be on eBay. Grin

lovechoc · 31/10/2011 10:36

was up at 3am Sunday morning. pretty crap. Hope I've made some of you feel like you got the luxury of a lie-in til 5am/6am!! Wink

lovechoc · 31/10/2011 10:39

And I put DS2 to bed at a later time on the Saturday hoping he'd lie in later - wrong. Won't be trying that one again in a hurry!