Looking forward to a permanent change to Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 2025? On the first Sunday in November, all of us here in the United States—and most of Canada—will “fall back” and enjoy an extra hour of sleep. This year, DST will end on November 2, 2025, at 2 a.m., when clocks turn back one hour. That practice originated in the U.S. during World War I. It seeks to increase the effective use of daylight hours and reduce energy use.
Daylight Saving Time goes into effect on the second Sunday in March at 2 a.m. Participants will have to “spring forward,” so they’ll be losing an hour of sleep. For most, this change can be confusing and overwhelming, particularly for families with young children needing these important services. In an article for Parenting Magazine, Ericka Souter, a parenting expert, suggests a series of incremental changes leading up to the time change.
“To help your child’s body adjust, don’t just move bedtime,” – Ericka Souter
“Start moving everything – meals, naps, and wake times – earlier by about 10 to 15 minutes each day leading up to the time change.” – Ericka Souter
Though it is embraced throughout much of the world, not every locality observes Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and much of Arizona don’t bother to observe it. The Navajo Nation, which covers territory in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, does observe DST. Five U.S. territories exempt from Daylight Saving Time. These territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In 1966 the Uniform Time Act created this nationwide standard of Daylight Saving Time in the US. The practice dates back even further. Congress took the first individual action by the federal government by passing the Calder Act — or Standard Time Act of 1918. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 made it more confusing by later amending these regulations, extending the duration of Daylight Saving Time.
The debate surrounding Daylight Saving Time continues. This act became law in January 2025. The Sunshine Protection Act was re-introduced into both chambers of the U.S. Congress. This new legislation would put an end to time changes completely, making Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the National Sleep Foundation are highly supportive organizations of this change. They endorse a permanent standard time to improve public health and reduce sleep disruption.
As families approach the end of DST this year, it is crucial to consider both the benefits and challenges associated with these time changes.
“Even with the best plan, most kids need a few days or sometimes a full week to adjust,” – Ericka Souter
