Parents often heave a huge collective sigh of relief during the later winter months. By now, everyone is somewhat acclimated to work and school schedules, and while the routine might be tiring, it’s still steady and pretty predictable. But just when you think that you’ve got a whole handle on your child’s sleep schedule, for example, along comes Daylight Savings Time to screw it all up. Yes, it’s that time of the year when we spring forward, whether we want to or not. But when is Daylight Saving Time 2023? Get ready to lose some sleep.
What Is Daylight Saving Time?
Twice a year, the clocks might everyone crazy by going forward an hour and then going back an hour as well. This is called Daylight Saving Time: on the first Sunday in November, precisely at 2:00 a.m., clocks go back one hour where they remain for about four months. This is known as standard time. And then on the second Sunday in March (again, at 2:00 a.m.), clocks move forward one hour back to Daylight Saving Time. And if you have a hard time remembering which way the hour hand swings and when, keep in mind that clocks “fall back” in fall, and “spring forward” in spring.
Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time?
Much like its name connotes, the point of Daylight Saving Time is to create the idea of more light-filled hours during the day. Rooted in the nation’s transportation system, Daylight Saving Time was first implemented during World War I as a way to save on fuel and power — and also reduce the number of potential train crashes that could occur by having different time zones. Daylight Savings Time was abolished nationally after WWI, but continued on via a state-by-state. Then, as part of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, the United States officially adopted Daylight Saving Time.
Currently, only two states — Hawaii and Arizona — don’t participate in Daylight Saving Time… but that could all change. The U.S. Senate passed legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. It still has to pass the House and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, it would mean that the clocks would no longer fall back in the fall.
When Is Daylight Saving Time 2023?
While no one would begrudge an extra hour of sleep on a Sunday when the clocks fall back, it’s the Daylight Saving Time springing forward that can make everyone absolutely miserable. So if you’re wondering when it’s happening this year, well, it’s not too far off. Daylight Saving Time 2023 will happen on Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 a.m. That means you’ll lose an hour of sleep — and the peace that comes with kiddos who got enough hours to snooze at night.
Although Daylight Saving Time is annoying at best, there is still hope that we won’t have to go through it anymore. And that is definitely something to not lose sleep over.