Are you traveling anywhere for the holidays? We’re staying home for Thanksgiving but heading to California for Christmas. The three-hour time change used to freak me out, but after four California trips, we finally figured out how to beat jet lag. Here are our five steps… 1. Wreck them the first night. If you’re flying west, kids will want to go to bed early (since 7pm New York time is 4pm California time). But make them stay up! Book an evening flight. Go out for pizza. Let them watch TV. Go swimming at the hotel pool. Give them an afternoon nap, if they need it, but don’t let them oversleep. Encourage them to stay up as late as possible, so they’re completely exhausted by the time they finally crash. If they can make it to their regular bedtime, they’ll be able to sleep in the next morning. (The photo above shows Toby on our first night in California last year:) If you’re flying east, kids will want to go to bed later (since 7pm New York time is only 4pm California time).

Have them skip their naps that day, or at least take much shorter naps, so they’re sleepier than usual by the time bedtime rolls around. They’ll probably go to bed a bit later the first night, but 8pm or 9pm is much better than 10pm, right? And each night you can shift it an hour earlier. 2. Eat meals according to clock time. Your body will adjust much more quickly to your new sleep schedule if your meals are on that schedule, too. 3. Go outside for as much sunlight as possible. Get those little bodies on new circadian rhythms! 4. Serve a bedtime snack. Our boys wake up in the middle of the night if they’re hungry (especially if their bodies think it’s time for dinner or breakfast), so we give them a snack before bed to help them sleep. 5. Make the bedroom pitch black. We often rent houses on vacation, but the catch is that they usually don’t have thick curtains. Luckily, Alex discovered these awesome black-out curtains, which attach to windows with suction cups.

We’ve used ours a hundred times, and the extra hours of sleep are so worth it. We also have this white noise app and put it on the Extreme Rain track. (There’s also a train ride setting, and the click-clack noises are surprisingly relaxing.) Any other tips you swear by? I would love to hear. With time changes of 3 to 5 hours, our boys now usually adjust within one day (knock on wood!). plaque unveiling curtains for saleHave you ever done a bigger time change? debenhams curtains eyeletMy friend’s family goes home to Malaysia every Christmas and I don’t know how she does it! john lewis eyelet blackout curtains P.S. 10 tips for traveling with a baby, and 10 ways to entertain a toddler on a plane.28mm curtain pole recess bracket

Victorian Dublin guesthouse in Ballsbridge, walk to RDS Located in Ballsbridge, this guesthouse is within 2 mi (3 km) of RDS, Aviva Stadium, and St. Stephen's Green. National Gallery of Ireland at Merrion Square and The Grand Canal Theatre are also within 2 mi (3 km). This smoke-free guesthouse features laundry facilities, a 24-hour front desk, and express check-out. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. ikea aina linen curtainsAdditionally, tour/ticket assistance, multilingual staff, and a front-desk safe are onsite.blackout curtains asda All 21 rooms offer comforts like premium bedding and down comforters, plus free WiFi and LCD TVs. ready made curtains naasOther amenities that guests will find include coffee makers and electric kettles.

Information missing or incorrect? Morehampton Townhouse features tour/ticket assistance, multilingual staff, and laundry facilities. High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Victorian guesthouse also offers express check-out and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Limited complimentary onsite parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Morehampton Townhouse is a smoke-free property. Total number of rooms - 21 Number of floors - 4 Safe-deposit box at front desk Available in all rooms: Available in some public areas: Iron/ironing board (on request) English breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 10 AM. Check-in time ends at midnight Minimum check-in age is 21 Check-in time starts at 2 PM Check-out time is 11 AM Children and extra bedsOne child 4 years old or younger stays free when using existing bedding. Rollaway/extra beds are available.

No pets or service animals allowed You need to know Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy. Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges. Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. No rollaway/extra beds available Noise-free rooms not guaranteed The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. Breakfast fee: between EUR 7.00 and EUR 10.00 for adults, EUR 5.00 and EUR 6.50 for children (approximately) Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee Morehampton Townhouse House Dublin This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.