15 Minutes Earlier Per Night

My 6-year old daughter, Amanda, has been having the time of her life this summer--going to bed around 10 at night, and sleeping in until around 9 in the morning. But, as they say, all good things must end. School is starting on September 1st, and her bed times and wake times need to be adjusted.

Now that we're one week prior to the first day of school, we'll be getting her to bed 15 minutes earlier, each night, until bedtime is back at 8:00.

That means...

tonight, bedtime is 9:45P

Wednesday, bedtime is at 9:30P

Thursday, bedtime is at 9:15P

Friday, bedtime is at 9:00P

Saturday, bedtime is at 8:45P

Sunday, bedtime is at 8:30P

Monday, bedtime is at 8:15P

Tuesday, bedtime is at 8:00P

Of course, I'll help her get adjusted to her wake times as well in the same manner, each day getting up 15 minutes earlier.

Even if you don't have school-age children, this system works beautifully for any time adjustment you need, whether it's getting up earlier to get to work earlier, or going to bed at the time that will allow you to get enough restful sleep for a productive day tomorrow.

These incremental adjustments, rather than one that's more severe, help ease the body and the mind. It's a lot less stressful to adjust in baby steps.

Comments

[rob newman]

simple, but good idea.

[Rhonda]

That works for teachers too! (I liked my summer schedule of going to bed at 11 and getting up at 8 AM but alas that does not work for school days.) I will work back to getting up at 6:30 and then make it 6:15 so that I can do some exercise in the morning and get my brain and body into working mode for the day.

[sue b]

What a great idea!