Subscribe to Our Feed!
Mom’s Breakfast Club: Morning Smiles
This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.
Now that I’ve got the waking up earlier than the kids thing down (well, almost), I’ve been able to focus more on making sure that the kids have a good morning. Not a rushed, grumpy, oh-no-it’s-morning-again type morning. I’m not saying that we never rush — we do. I am saying that I’ve been enjoying the little moments.
Sometimes I’m the starter of said moments. And sometimes my boys do something so cool/fun/awesome/loving that I know I’m the lucky one. Who knew these moments could happen in the morning! Hooray for a new perspective.
Here are a few examples.
- When BigBrother wakes up, I’m usually in the kitchen or the living room now. I can hear him shuffle down the hall. I know he’ll be carrying his blue blankie, close to his face so that his ridiculously long eyelashes flutter on top. He walks over with a huge smile and gives me a good morning kiss. I love watching him walk toward me.
- Sometimes LittleBrother asks for his milk in a kids coffee cup lookalike. He calls it White Coffee. It makes me smile.
- During the conversations I have with BigBrother over our bowls of cereal, he tells me things that he forgot to tell me the day before. I get some good school stories, thoughts about what we did yesterday and hopes for the day. His honesty and optimism make me feel warm and fuzzy.
- Both boys have learned to take their bowls and cups to the sink/counter after breakfast. Nothing like learning responsibility in the morning! Woohoo!
- I prompt LittleBrother to ask one question at school everyday. Either to ask a new friend their name or to ask his teacher a question. He’s new at this schooling thing, and to see him so excited to be involved in the process is really heart-warming.
Really, just these small interactions with one another in the morning, even the non-verbal ones, make my mornings. I love having these little moments over shared breakfasts and routines. They are a pick-me-up for my whole morning!
What do you do to make your mornings “mean something” or provide a positive quality for the day? Any conversation starters or specific foods that make your kids happy? Tell me your answer for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer and Kellogg’s. Be sure to visit the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page for more chances to win, and don’t forget to read the official rules.
[Disclosure: Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com.]
I try to start the morning off on a positive note and try not getting snappy with my daughter first thing in the morning (lol) –I like to make her a big breakfast as often as possible
I try not to yell, and get crazy in the morning! I started several years ago, getting up before them, and that makes things go much better!
I start my morning with a prayer and a wake up shower then I make sure to snuggle the boys and wish them a grand day.
Greg always kisses me in the morning before he leaves for work.
I also get myself up and get ready for the day before the kiddo wakes. This allows me to focus the remainder of our time on him. We talk about our plans for the day and I try to give him ideas on activities he could or should do that day (talk to his friends/teacher about something, etc).
Doughnuts make the kids happy…
My son loves when we make our special breakfast bread or carrot muffins on a weekend.
rmartinclake at gmail dot com
I try and start the morning early so that there is plenty of time to have breakfast and get ready without anyone stressing out. I believe starting the day without stress, yelling or tears is a huge positive quality for starting the day off on right.
My step-daughter, when she was school aged, used to love when I poped some strudels in the toaster and have them hot and waiting for her when she was finished getting dresses. Then I would sit and drink my coffee at the table while she ate them with a big glass of milk.
Twitter: FourAgainstTwo
says:
I try and get a hug in with each daughter and send them off with encouraging words about what they are doing that day. I also say a prayer for them as they get on the bus.
Believe it or not, waking my kids early makes for a nice stress free morning. This way they have time to relax, enjoy their cereal, toast, oatmeal, whatever, and can watch a little TV before they head off to school
i allow myself plenty of time in the morning so I don’t get in a rush – we do enjoy a breakfast of some sort everyday –
usually cereal or oatmeal
A kiss before they leave!
We don’t have children yet, but my husband and I kiss before he leaves for work…helps to get both of our days off to a better start!
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Singing in the shower can brighten any morning. Make sure Bon Jovi is in the line up and BAM! you got yourself a positive day. Or at least a positive ride work. Take that rush hour traffic.
I prepare a lot of things the night before so that we are not rushing around in the morning. It helps for all of us and makes me much more cheerful!
I like to give each one a big hug,kiss, telll them how much I love them and to have a fantastic day!
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
Our youngest son loves oatmeal in the AM. Unfortunately not instant oatmeal, but fortunately he prefers his dad’s to mine. [woohoo] So if he wakes up to a bowl of his dad’s oatmeal, he’s a happy camper and if he’s happy…we’re ALL happy.
I like to cook all my family’s favorites on the weekends! We lounge around the table and talk over delicious foods!
Now that my kids are older teens….those times are cherished!
Any day I can drive to work with the windows down is a great morning – fresh air always lifts my spirits!