My son and daughter-in-law are on their long flight home as I write, as their daughter sleeps an artificial hour longer this morning thanks to Daylight Savings Time. Sadly, the little chat she and I had at 4:54 a.m. (3:54 according to my body clock which is still back in Saturday’s winter time) left me unable to catch any more zzzzz’s, so I’m trying to find the charm in a quiet hour with a cup of tea.
It’s been a good week with her — two or three days might have been easier on our schedules, but I think it took that long for the three of us to settle into some mutually satisfactory routines and behaviour patterns. Between our travels last fall and our respective Fairly Big Moves and the reality that we live in two different cities, separated by a reasonably substantial body of water and at least three hours’ travel time, we haven’t spent nearly as much time together as we’d like, so we appreciate the opportunity to get to know her better — and we especially appreciate the trust conferred on us. It’s a big deal to leave your Two for a week, and we were given all kinds of latitude in how to manage most daily activities.
But a week is close to long enough, and I’m ready to get back to that rhythm I’m still trying to establish in my new home, in my (relatively new) retired life. Granddad/Pater will drop her off at daycare this morning, and we’ll pack our cases into the trunk of the car, do a bit of cleaning here so the travellers’ newfound mellow isn’t immediately destroyed by unmade beds and dirty toilets, and get the torch ready to hand back to the principal runners. . . .
I did manage to accomplish a few things this past week beyond the Toddler-Wrangling — booked a flight and a hotel for later this spring, for example. I’ll tell you more, soon, about how we chose our destination and how we’re sorting out the itinerary for getting there. I’ll tell you, that is, as soon as I get back home and catch up on my sleep — Toddlers can really wear out a Nana!
So how are you adjusting to Daylight Savings Time? Spring Springs Forward is apparently associated with more accidents, and I believe it! I will enjoy the light lasting longer after dinner, yes, but it always takes me a while to adjust to that stolen/shifted hour. . . Of course, many of you still have that adjustment ahead of you, later in the month, and some of you live in places that enjoy clocks which don’t have to be changed twice a year. . . Which are you, and what’s your position on the matter? Enquiring minds need to know đ
(Ignoring the loveliness of your granddaughter visit, and questions re: Daylight Saving Time…)
Where, where, where are you going, that you need to sort out an itinerary for getting there? Is it:
-further east than you usually go?
-near water?
-a trip comprising more than one country?
-combo of new and familiar?
hee. This is fun. Don't answer my questions, I just wanted to record them for posterity in advance of your post.
I won't answer yet, but when I do, I wish you could buy your ticket quickly to meet up — I'll be catching up with a certain someone you've already met here….
Having grandparents near enough is precious-not only because of babysitting benefit,but children are so enriched,having more,slightly different, love to get and share
They will steal our hour in two weeks.
I don't have big problems with adjustments (although it has many ,not only medical, disadvantages),but always miss this hour of less sleep. And always,literally always,I have one or another festive event to attend,with late night (and every year decide that I'll be careful next year and stay home).
I am very curious
Dottoressa
You have so many festive events! I have to be honest and say that we're usually quite boring the night before the Spring Time Change — and I still complain about it….
In response to your question, I find springing forward increasingly annoying, and falling back isn't much better. I don't know why we are still bothering with this, aside from mucking up everyone's internal clock and thereby distracting us from more serious concerns.
It really doesn't seem necessary these days, does it? and so hard on people with small children who have more trouble ignoring their body clocks but still have to be at school on time…
I'm living grand parent hood vicariously through your blog at the moment. I can see lots of upsides and a few down. How lovely to have your granddaughter to yourself for a whole week, although I'm sure you are looking forward to a few hours extra sleep. Clocks haven't lept forward here yet. Not quite so hard for us retirees as we can have an extra lie in ( that's if we're not babysitting đ) Always love the lighter evenings. The possibility of eating outdoors is getting closer. Have a good journey home. B xx
Yes, many upsides, and while I wouldn't call anything a downside for me, at this point, there are clearly times when I have to prioritise. And there's some emotional calculation involved there…
True about the lighter evenings — we'll be able to eat out on our terrace before long!
Frances, "trying to find the charm in a quiet hour" has certainly charmed me-what a wonderful expression. Is it yours?
Having longer days is worth many, many hours of lost sleep to me. Sitting outside in the evening with a cocktail and my sweetheart is a favorite part of Spring and Summer. Bring it on.
Just finished the black glossy front door….WHY did I wait so long?!
What fun a two year old is. This time with you will be imprinted on her sweet little self and she will be talking about you for weeks to come.
A.in London
And now you need a blog — so you can show us that front door! đ
(yes, the expression is mine, borne of the reality . . .
We don't have daylight savings here yet but we awoke to a rattling of the small book shelf at 4 something. Lizard? Scorpion? I pushed the case flush to the wall but we did not go back to sleep. I think I crushed a cucaracha. You will enjoy some quieter times when mummy and daddy are back. I had my first Spanish class today. What a workout! Travel plans are always fun.
I don't think I could have gone back to sleep either. . .
I started refreshing my Spanish (acquired in university classes almost 45 years ago — yelp!) via Duolingo last year, but I've let that lapse for the moment. I'd love to take classes in it again, but I can imagine that it would be such a workout.
Due to a raging weekend headache and a sleepless night last night, I woke up at 10 am this morning – but usually I do ok with the time changes. I, too, am curious about your new destination. It sounds like someplace that you've never been to before. I'm sure you could get to Paris or London or Bordeaux in your sleep! :0)
We will be starting in a familiar city, but yes, heading to a few spots we've never visited before. I'll have to find out later if you've been already, you having travelled Europe quite extensively.
I'm always surprised at how tired I am in the spring when we "leap" or "crawl" forward. It's definitely the latter for me.
A week with a Two is a mixed drink of delight and exhaustion. I'm sure the parents appreciated the break. You have the anticipation of your own quiet space and undisturbed nights.
Travel plans! Hooray!
Me too! I love Fall Falls Back with that extra hour when it actually seems as if I could manage everything And get the sleep I need. But Spring? Not so much.
My own space right now is SO blissfully quiet — but I find myself wondering how she settled to sleep tonight. . .
I am not as deeply affected by the Daylight Savings changes as some others, but like many (especially now that we are a global & 24/7 society) I wonder at the need for the change at all. I mean, really. The clock never stops anyone from contacting anyone, and we're no longer intrinsically agrarian, so why bother? I did notice that the traffic at 6am was almost manic, and I'm not looking forward to the drive home.
Sounds like you have had a delightful, if tiring, week with the Two. Lots of memories to pour over in the future.
And another trip to plan! Ooooh!
And all those 6 a.m. drivers are just a bit more sleepy than usual. . . .
When we lived in Hawaii, there were no Daylight Savings changes and that was great – of course, there are lots of other things that were great about living in Hawaii. Now that we are back on the East Coast in the mid-Atlantic area, we get to enjoy an extra hour of sleep in the Fall but I am not enjoying losing a hour in the Spring.
Yes, I can imagine the list of Things that Are Great about Living in Hawaii is not a short list…;-)
Another week and a bit to go for us before we spring forward. I don't find the adjustment a trial other than the cats demanding their food earlier in the autumn until their clocks reset. I rather like the way the changes to the hour bookmark the turning of the year.
The cats will not be fooled! đ
When I think of caring for a two year old for a week- love him dearly as I do- the responsibility scares me. It has been so, so long since we did that. I guess I'd build up to it, but now I'm also less able to tolerate broken sleep. Age two requires very close attention, and I admire your caregiving.
I'm glad you say this, Duchesse. See my next post, written with your comment and others in mind. I think I could have done the week on my own but it would have been very tough. Both Paul and I are quite fit, but we were both tired at the end of each day. And do note that we dropped her off at daycare before 9:30 each day and didn't pick her up until after 4. . .
At 71, this year's spring forward has been harder to adjust to than any others before. But I think that's a coincidence, since what's really rough this year is the seasonal whiplash of contrasting temps in the 70s with temps (and snow) in the teens and 20s. Am ready for things to settle down and fly right.
It's so much fun to have a good trip to look forward to. In a few weeks we'll head off on a slow transatlantic cruise toward Lisbon with some nice island stops along the way. My gap year continues. đ
What a wonderful way to get across the ocean, and Lisbon's such a beautiful landing point. This is a very beautiful point in a gap year. Lucky you!
As a child I noticed "old people" complaining about the bi-annual time changes and didn't get it…..now as an official old person myself I notice jet-lag type symptoms and a need to flop around for a couple days especially with the spring forward…..I'm in the "why do we need to do this" camp, surely a disruption we could do without?
ceci
Yes, this officially old stuff is not too amusing, but suddenly so many things start to make sense about what "they" used to complain about….
There are issues in the north of Scotland with children having to go to school in the dark in the winter. A debate that rumbles on in relation to British Summer Time. We're the end of the month, and I don't really mind the change. The fact that it's called British Summer Time helps, although it in no sense marks the start of summer. In fact we have a country saying 'as the days lengthen the cold strengthens', and we often have the worst of our winter in February and March. However this has been a very mild winter, so we may be on the upwards slope to spring.
We often have the heaviest snowfalls in February and March as well. It's true about rural areas and kids having to go to school in the dark. We used to live in northern BC, and it's an issue.
And I hope you're almost at spring!
Never could get my head around daylight saving when we lived in Switzerland.
And the Swiss dairy farmers complained that the cows didn't like it.
Cows, like babies and small children, don't know clocks, but attend to the sun, right? And increasingly, I guess, that's what I'd prefer to use for a clock myself.