Mom’s Breakfast Club: Morning Smiles
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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.]
We always part with a kiss and well-wishes for a great day ahead!
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Now, I am fixing breakfast for my grandkids. When they are with me, I fix whatever they want….the younger ones all love soft oven cinnamon toast; the older ones could fix their own but I keep blueberry pancakes in the freezer and right now I have a blueberry french toast casserole in the oven. I do think that breakfast sets the tone for the day and I am glad my kids and grandkids are good breakfast eaters
Try to remain quiet and still helps us to get off to a good start!
kmassman gmail
The little interactions you shared are really heartwarming.
I always try to give everyone a great big hug, everyone needs a hug. Also, when I have the time I make french toast,, everyone gets excited for french toast! hhehe
abitnerdygirl @ gmail dot com
Kids are grown but they carry on the same as we did. we start the day with breakfast as a family everyone sitting at the day, talking about the day ahead.
not letting me copy and past my twitter code. You say I am copying picture and have locked my copy and paste feature.
The way to start a positive day is to remind kids to do their best. As long as they give the day a good try the outcome is not as important.
Our granddaughter stays with every Friday night. On Saturday morning, she and her Grandpa make his special oatmeal with bananas or peaches. They get to spend some one-on-one time and that’s good for both of them.
No one here likes mornings very much so we mostly try to keep off each other’s nerves.
chainmail(at) iwon(dot)com
I tweeted about this promotion
http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/26127533980
the best thing i can do for my son in the morning to brighten his day is to bring him his juicy….then he is a happy lil guy
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
My kids love my homemade bread toasted with Nana’s homemade jelly.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/26130987670
blog post http://tnshadylady.blogspot.com/2010/10/another-great-blogher-giveaway.html
On the weekends i make choclate chip pancakes. that makes the whole family happy
I let my boys pour ladles of batter on the griddle to help make our pancakes on Sunday mornings. It makes them feel special.
We all eat breakfast at the kitchen table on the weekends and talk and catch up as a family.
I make sure we say “good morning” to each other every morning. It’s small, but it helps.
We have a tradition every Sunday morning. Dad makes breakfast for all of us. Usually pancakes or something else delicious. My girls are nearly grown now but they still wake up delighted to sit with us and have a special breakfast together on Sunday morning… We look forward to the time with them.
I try to get everything ready the night before so we’ll have smooth sailing in the mornings (I have 2 morning kids, my sons, and one anti-morning daughter. To get them off in a good mood I usually turn on the radio or put in some CDs to get their blood pumping..my sons like the the Beastie Boys especially in the morning..my daughter when she’s not the biggest grouch bucket likes Lady Gaga!