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Original poster

I have made school mornings easier by putting breakfast out

190 replies

PrunellaMcTat · 10/11/2022 18:50

I realise this wouldn't be for everyone, but it's really made a positive difference for us.

Before:
16yo dd moping about saying she can't face breakfast.
14yo ds in the kitchen frying eggs and making a mess.
10yo dd eating her body-weight in sugary crap cereal.

So I changed it a bit and now when everyone gets up (about 20 minutes after me) breakfast is out on the table. I do something different every morning, it's very simple, no choice, just sit down and eat what's there. They love it!

This week was:
M - croissants and jam and milo
T - porridge and fruit
W - brioche toast
Th - Yogurt and fruit
F - Eggy bread

I put out a hot drink, a bottle of OJ or water, and their vitamins.

It takes me 5 minutes, and they clear it all up when they're done. Everyone has been so much more cheerful in the morning. I've been doing it for a few weeks now - I include 5 simple breakfast choices along with my big weekend shop. It hasn't cost any more. The teens have even been getting up to join in breakfast on flexible learning days (when they don't have to be at school).

OP posts:
Original poster
PrunellaMcTat · 11/11/2022 17:59

GoodVibesHere · 11/11/2022 08:56

I thought it was the norm too? I always put out cereals, milk, bowls, juice and toast for my teens.

I'm surprised anyone would think 'Ooh I've had a brainwave, I'll make breakfast' ?!!

Show quote history

To be fair I didn't think I'd had a brainwave!
As is clear from this thread, lots of people don't put breakfast out for their teens. It's not wildly unusual to do it your way AND it's not wildly unusual to leave your kids to grab their own breakfast. I switched up the way we've always done things and it made a positive difference so I shared my experience on this parenting website we're all on. Glad I did because it had brought up some nice memories, and at least one poster has given it a go too and said it was nice.

OP posts:
BloodAndFire · 11/11/2022 18:01

Palmface · 10/11/2022 20:53

I love this. My mil did this for her teenage sons and whenever we came to stay. Fruit salads were out the night before in bowls covered in cling film too. I'll definitely try and do this for my kids when they're teenagers, sounds much more organised and welcoming in the morning! My parents had nothing to do with my breakfast as a teen and it was a lost opportunity for connection I think.

I'm not interested in 'connecting' with anyone at 7.45am.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 11/11/2022 19:09

This thread is like a parallel universe
my DC are tweens and just make their own toast, get cereal etc. they’ve been doing this since age 6!
I’m usually there pottering about and helping them find bits of kit, I make up school snacks for them as well and find their water bottles.

I’ll read through this thread and see what I’m missing!

I do make porridge or eggs sometimes but mainly on weekends

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

10 year olds 14 year olds 16 year olds General food
JockTamsonsBairns · 11/11/2022 19:12

BloodAndFire · 11/11/2022 18:01

I'm not interested in 'connecting' with anyone at 7.45am.

Show quote history

No, me neither 😂

offyoufucketyfuck · 11/11/2022 21:04

My teens get their own breakfast

Whatsleftnow · 11/11/2022 21:42

Did anyone else get waves of guilt from this thread - I just can’t decide whether to feel more guilty that I can’t make everyone sit down to a hot breakfast, or that my dc don’t hand wash and dry the breakfast dishes while chatting.

And now I’m sitting up wide awake and worrying about burning down the house too.

billy1966 · 11/11/2022 22:05

Whatsleftnow · 11/11/2022 21:42

Did anyone else get waves of guilt from this thread - I just can’t decide whether to feel more guilty that I can’t make everyone sit down to a hot breakfast, or that my dc don’t hand wash and dry the breakfast dishes while chatting.

And now I’m sitting up wide awake and worrying about burning down the house too.

My entire motivation was peace and quiet and creating a dynamic that would get us out the door as peacefully as possible.

Being organised did that.

They dunked all bowls in the sink......there were NO happy moments washing anything 🙄😁.

I would think the fact they placed bowls in the sink and the table was cleared, was a score.

My efforts to be peaceful and unstressed meant they got to school peacefully, which meant I felt better about the day. Total win.

Shouting at my kinds at the end of my tether left me in a ball of upset.

fruitpastille · 11/11/2022 23:27

Whatsleftnow · 11/11/2022 21:42

Did anyone else get waves of guilt from this thread - I just can’t decide whether to feel more guilty that I can’t make everyone sit down to a hot breakfast, or that my dc don’t hand wash and dry the breakfast dishes while chatting.

And now I’m sitting up wide awake and worrying about burning down the house too.

Yes, I can relate!
We all have our preferred morning rituals and timings that suit us so we can all leave for school or work by 7.30. To all eat together would disrupt this calm routine (not to mention getting up even earlier) plus none of my kids like porridge and pancakes are for weekends. We do put out bowls, glasses and cereal the night before. Now I feel bad that my dd makes her own hot chocolate every morning and is fully ready with headphones on by the time I come down!

JustLyra · 11/11/2022 23:46

I am not a morning person at all. Breakfast was one of the parenting bits I hated as food turns my stomach h until I’ve been awake a good hour or so.

MIL loves mornings. She always sorted DH & BIL in the mornings. Even as adults. It was her one ‘thing’ - they were well trained in running a house, not spoiled.

Since she moved in she’s started doing it here in the morning and I love it. She has some amazing - and some random - chats with the kids over the years.

Best of all for me I get to hear them chattering and laughing and don’t have to face food. It’s lovely

Hattie72 · 12/11/2022 00:00

No way do I put breakfast out for my teens. Can’t believe people who work do this to be honest.

PrestonNorthHen · 12/11/2022 08:50

Before:
16yo dd moping about saying she can't face breakfast.
14yo ds in the kitchen frying eggs and making a mess.
10yo dd eating her body-weight in sugary crap cereal.

The sad thing is, this is perfectly normal behaviour and now the Op has reverted back to younger childhood behaviour as she can't cope with it.
Moping DD-why would you force it? They often prefer to eat later
Eggs DS-great, chuck in a couple for me!
Cereal DD-stop buying crap!
There, sorted .

Crunchymum · 12/11/2022 08:54

My mum did this. She bought a toast rack and mini teapots and everything.

Happy memories.

Not going to waste the time and effort on mine. Too young but actually breakfast time runs okay at the moment.

WinterLobelia · 12/11/2022 11:40

I'm enjoying this thread.

We are hit and miss with eating at the table in the evenings but breakfast is something we can all do.

I have bought some sultana and maple pancakes for next week. I like the idea of something different and unexpected every day and I really like the idea of setting the table properly. I have already posted on the thread and said I make a hot meal most days as I only go into the office one day a week but I have become a bit inspired to branch out to continental type breakfasts as well and today I am going to clear the dining table of homework and art related clutter so I can set it properly.

People were asking why on earth vitamin tablets are a thing for some on the thread. I have a child with food issues and extremely restricted eating. His dietician recommended the Tesco packs of vitamins and minerals (covers 15 in total). She said that in her opinion they were the best out there. I need to be sure the bases are covered so vitamin tablets are essential for me.

MuggleMe · 12/11/2022 21:04

This is so lovely. By the time I was a teenager my parents weren't even getting up to see me off to school let alone making me breakfast. I make porridge daily and eat breakfast with my 9&5yos.

TheSilentPicnic · 14/11/2022 05:34

PrestonNorthHen · 12/11/2022 08:50

Before:
16yo dd moping about saying she can't face breakfast.
14yo ds in the kitchen frying eggs and making a mess.
10yo dd eating her body-weight in sugary crap cereal.

The sad thing is, this is perfectly normal behaviour and now the Op has reverted back to younger childhood behaviour as she can't cope with it.
Moping DD-why would you force it? They often prefer to eat later
Eggs DS-great, chuck in a couple for me!
Cereal DD-stop buying crap!
There, sorted .

I believe the OP was sharing a happy experience, not asking your advice.

TheSilentPicnic · 14/11/2022 05:55

I was a very devoted breakfast mumma until the youngest was a teenager. Baked bread every morning for their lunches, cooked them eggs with salmon or sausage, or pancakes and berries. They had long days as I had to drop them at before school club so by the time school started they’d been up for 3hrs and would have been hungry if they’d just had a piece of toast.

Once they hit their teens though their eating habits changed. They know what’s available, sometimes eat breakfast and sometimes don’t. 🤷‍♀️

brighterthanthemoon · 14/11/2022 06:03

I want to be a breakfastmama what age do you start?

How288 · 14/11/2022 06:08

I'm glad it works for you OP and the rest of the posters. I don’t eat breakfast myself, one goes to breakfast club which is free at school, the other is the fussiest person ever so sorts out herself usually with cereal, eldest is at uni and the youngest is one of those “I didn’t want my toast cut like that” types 😬

Mornings and breakfast times can get in the bin

PeppermintPatty10 · 14/11/2022 06:24

Aw @Ragwort , that is so lovely of your late father!

TheForests · 14/11/2022 06:32

Seriously?! No way, they are all capable of making breakfast. We also all take turns to cook dinner

ButterflyBiscuit · 14/11/2022 06:35

Hmmm used to eat breakfast together when my kids were small. But by teen/tween age they get up at different times. Youngest has breakfast when she gets up. Teen can't eat first thing so takes cereal bar for break.

Long leisurely breakfasts and croissants are weekend/birthday treats here.

Sort of surprised how many have time and energy to do this but guess the thread also attracts those that do.

On a side note - what are these vitamins so many are giving their teens!??! Have I missed something here...

ButterflyBiscuit · 14/11/2022 06:35

My youngest gets up early and wants food straight away, teen gets up as late as possible . Even if they ate breakfast timing wise is logistically not possible.

Oblomov22 · 14/11/2022 06:37

Nice.
Chloefaurydust's grandparents sounds idyllic and do so warmly and lovely.

Billy1966:
Always did this.
Uniforms ready.
Lunches made.
Breakfast laid out.
Smoothy made
Bags/gear/shoes, ready at the door.

Agree with this. Why any parent would NOT do this, just seems silly.

Beanbagtrap ds3 sounds a nightmare, I wouldn't tolerate that.

tonystarksrighthand · 14/11/2022 06:49

My bastard dog would devour the table in one.

ButterflyBiscuit · 14/11/2022 06:50

Because my kids are quite capable of making their own breakfast and sorting own bags. I'd be a bit embarrassed if they couldn't sort their bags/shoes out as teens!!