If you’re like most moms this Monday morning, you might be celebrating that “extra hour of sleep” you supposedly got over the weekend. But let’s be real—if you have kids, you know that extra hour is a total myth. Your little ones’ internal alarm clocks don’t care what your microwave says. They were up at what felt like 5 AM, ready to conquer the day while you were still trying to figure out if you needed to manually change the clock on your car dashboard.

Good news, though: You’re not alone in feeling over it. More than half of Americans—54%—are ready to say goodbye to this twice-a-year clock-changing chaos for good, according to recent polling data.

The Time Change Struggle Is Real (Especially for Parents)

Here’s the thing about Daylight Saving Time ending: while our smartphones and smart home devices handle most of the actual clock-changing these days (thank goodness), our bodies—and especially our kids’ bodies—haven’t gotten the “smart” memo yet.

Sleep experts confirm what every parent already knows: time changes mess with children’s sleep patterns for about a week, sometimes longer. Dr. Maida Lynn Chen, medical director of Seattle Children’s Pediatric Sleep Center, explains that daylight saving time is associated with chronically shorter sleep times and the health implications affect both adults and children.

For working moms juggling school drop-offs, work schedules, and after-school activities, this week can feel especially exhausting. Your kindergartener who usually wakes at 6:30 AM? They’re now bouncing into your room at 5:30 AM. Your teenager who already struggles to get up for school? Good luck getting them out the door this week.

America Is Over It—But Congress Can’t Agree on the Fix

Support for ditching the time-change madness is at an all-time high. The numbers tell the story:

• Only 12% of Americans support the current clock-changing system, according to recent polling
• 40% want it gone completely
• A March 2025 Gallup poll found that 54% have an unfavorable opinion of daylight saving time

This is one of those rare issues where Democrats and Republicans actually agree—we need to stop this twice-a-year clock dance. Several bills are floating around Congress, including the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which has bipartisan support. Even President Trump has voiced support for ending the practice, posting in December 2024 that “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.”

So what’s the holdup?

The Big Debate: Summer Hours vs. Winter Hours

Here’s where things get sticky. While most people agree we should pick one time and stick with it, we can’t agree on which time. The nation is split:

• 56% favor permanent Daylight Saving Time (those longer summer evenings)
• 42% prefer permanent Standard Time (the earlier winter schedule we just switched to)

Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas blocked the most recent attempt to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, arguing that “permanent Daylight Saving Time would be especially harmful for school children and working Americans” because of darker mornings.

And he has a point. Sleep experts generally agree that year-round Standard Time is “undeniably better” for our health because it aligns better with our natural circadian rhythms.

What This Means for Your Family Right Now

While Washington debates, you’ve got to get through this week. Here are some sanity-saving tips from sleep experts to help your family adjust:

For younger kids:

• Gradually shift bedtime by 15 minutes every few nights if possible
• Keep rooms dark in the evening (blackout curtains are your friend!)
• Maintain consistent wake times, even on weekends
• Expose kids to bright morning light to help reset their internal clocks

For school-age children:

• Stick to bedtime routines—no screens at least 45 minutes before bed
• Be patient—adjustment can take up to a week
• Watch for signs of sleep deprivation like crankiness or difficulty concentrating

For working parents (that’s you!):

• Prioritize your own sleep—you can’t pour from an empty cup
• Consider going to bed 15-30 minutes earlier this week
• Cut yourself some slack if everyone’s a bit grumpy

The Bottom Line

Until Congress finally gets its act together, we’re stuck with this biannual time warp. But knowing you’re not alone in the struggle (and that it’s scientifically proven to mess with everyone’s sleep) can make it a little easier to handle.

The good news? Your kids’ bodies will adjust within a few days to a week. The better news? You’ve got seven months until we have to do this all over again—but this time “springing forward” and losing an hour.

What do you think, Froggy listeners? Are you Team Permanent Daylight Saving Time, Team Permanent Standard Time, or Team “Just Pick One Already”? Let us know on our Facebook page!

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Sources:

• The Hill: Daylight Saving Time Poll
• Gallup: Americans Split Over Daylight Saving Time
• The Hill: Why Experts Say Standard Time Is Better
• TIME: Where States Stand on Changing the Clock
• Seattle Children’s Hospital: Impact on Family Health
• Happiest Baby: Sleep Schedule Tips