Congratulations, we have survived one of the worst days of the year: the first day of Daylight Saving Time. I also contend it is almost the worst parenting day of the year (I will give that title to the day after Halloween because sugar crashes).

Annabel asked me why we have Daylight Saving Time, and I told her it was because the farmers needed the clocks that way. I have no idea why I thought that, but when I googled it to give her more information it turns out that’s actually a common misconception. Apparently, farmers hate DST! Farmers, I already loved you because of your delicious foods, but now I think we should make some hypothetical Daylight-Saving-Hating Babies (who will obviously have perfect circadian rhythms).

When you Google, “What is the point of Daylight Saving Time,” the result is:

The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time is to make better use of daylight. We change our clocks during the summer months to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening?  So, millions of people in dozens of countries and 48 states (Arizona & Hawaii do not observe DST, bless them) get to feel sluggish because some people decided it was better to have sun in the evenings instead of the mornings? I’m no morning person, but that seems kind of messed up. Sunlight later in the day is alright, but getting out of bed when it’s dark outside is really difficult.

leave me alone, I'm tired
Me, when my alarm goes off during the first week of Daylight Saving Time.

My kids are a disaster for a full week after Daylight Saving Time begins. Their body clocks think DST is BS and refuse to shut down. Last night, Annabel sang to herself from her bed for an hour. An hour! Every time I went in to tell her to go to sleep, she said, “Mommy, I’m just not tired so I’m singing myself to sleep!” James banged on the rails of his crib even longer, like some kind of tiny prisoner. I have a week of grumpy mornings and cranky evenings to look forward to. SO AWESOME, right?! And don’t even get me started on nap and meal times.

My own well-documented battles with insomnia are kicked into overdrive whenever the clocks change. Also, people in LA drive like (bigger) idiots when Daylight Saving starts. This is actually a thing – people literally get into more car accidents the first week after we spring forward. They also have more heart attacks (seriously)! Daylight Saving Time, now with 25% more death and dismemberment! By the way, experts say to combat the lack of sleep DST brings, people should try to arrive a little later to work during the first week of DST. Bosses everywhere will totally be down with that, I’m sure.

Can I just opt out of Daylight Saving Time? Can I just stand in the middle of a room and yell, “I AM ARIZONA!” and not have to switch my clocks twice a year? If I could ask the 2016 Presidential candidates one question, it would be, “Please tell me all the ways you think Daylight Saving Time is stupid.” The nominee who can list the most reasons has my vote.