Time zones will no longer be as stressful as before! These 7 tips will help your kids adapt to the time change when you travel. That way, you can avoid any jet lag induced episodes while enjoying your family trip. Keep reading to know all about suggested toddler jet lag solutions.
How to Help Your Kids Adjust to Time Zones
1. Prep in Advance
Minimize time zone differences and prep in advance. One way is to adjust daily activities 4-7 days before the travel period. Start by moving activities such as meal times, naps, and bedtime in 15-minute increments. Small changes are a way to easily alter your child’s daily rhythm. That way, your little ones won’t experience a huge change during your family’s travel.
2. Use the Light
Here’s where the sun’s rays become useful. Traveling west? Give your kids a dose of afternoon sun. Your kids won’t be affected by jet lag as much afterward. Heading the other direction? Just do the opposite. Instead of dates under the afternoon sun, let your kids bask in the morning light.
Tip: Some say the sun’s rays help people shift to the new time zone faster. This means, the trick works with adults, too.
3. Try Black Out Curtains
Black out curtains are a lifesaver. They ensure the sun’s morning rays don’t get a chance to peek inside your child’s room. No black out curtains in sight? Black garbage bags will do the trick!
4. Let Kids Stay in Bed
Kids usually wake up earlier if you’re traveling to the West. One remedy is to let your children stay in bed until a later time. Don’t forget to keep them occupied with their favorite books and games. It’ll make time fly by faster.
5. Small Snacks Help
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Your children may wake up during the night. Give them a light snack to help coax them back to bed. Just remember not to overdo it. Light snacks should only be given on the first or second night.
6. Avoid Marathon Naps
Kids who wake up during the night and can’t fall asleep will most likely go on a marathon nap during the day. It’s best to avoid marathon naps at all costs. They ruin your kids’ sleeping patterns and make the time zone change harder to adjust to.
Tip: Let your kids have their usual nap duration instead.
7. Bring Home Comforts
Sometimes kids have a hard time sleeping in a new and strange place. Solve this by bringing a few items from home. A security blanket or a stuffed animal are examples of this. The more comfortable and secure your kids feel, the easier it’ll be for them to fall asleep.
Check out this video on how to make your trip with your kids hassle-free:
Different time zones will always be a recurring problem for families who love to travel. Hopefully, the 7 tips mentioned above help you and your family fight through the jet lag.
Share with us some of your best time zone change stories! We’d love to read all about them in the comment section below!
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