To want dc to eat breakfast before school?

[Darkandstormynight]

Lately, dc, 12 hasn't been hungry for breakfast. I think it might be due to having sports after school 3 nights out of 5, and eating late that night (8 ish). In the morning they are not hungry.

I have been insisting that dc have at least something for breakfast. I know that I'm catering, but I have an only and it isn't really a big deal for me to make breakfast. Some days it will only be some yoghurt mixed with fruit and blended into a blender to liquify, so they will 'drink' breakfast. Some days it will be pancakes, sausage & milk. I give small amounts (but will gladly give more if asked) but since most days since sports started, dc just says "I'm not hungry" and doesn't want to eat anything.

If I suggest a snack to take to school, in lieu of breakfast, dc will take it but then 'forget' to eat it. I just feel like you hear, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day", and how test scores are lower for children that don't eat breakfast, etc. etc. I feel horribly guilty sending dc off with Nothing until noon. I feel there are so many children whose parents can't afford to feed them, and dh, dc and I have never had to wonder where a meal was coming from.

I have to admit though, that whilst dh makes and eats his own breakfast (nothing that dc would be interested in) I myself am a bad example because I almost never eat breakfast. I stopped somewhere around high school age, and from that time on I would eat something around 10:00 am and never at 6 when I woke up.

Dc is not a picky eater. Will choose junk over healthy food but all in all has a well balanced diet. On the thin side, but not markedly. So anyway, AIBU? Do I just send dc off with nothing? Maybe I'm just making this an issue when it shouldn't be? I've never fed dc when they weren't hungry before! But they were always hungry at meal times. What would you do?

My DS had a similar phase. I made him a mug of hot chocolate (mostly milk).

I think I would also insist they have something, even if just a banana.

Ds2 (4...I know a different age but just chucking my example out there) will very often not eat cereal as he doesn't feel like it. He will, however, sit and eat a bowl of dry cheerios or cornflakes with his fingers and drink a glass of milk!

My daughter refuses breakfast, my son will have a slice of toast before he goes to school, I make the kids a packed lunch every day and include snacks- they tend to graze through the day, I don't eat anything until about 10am and would never force the kids to eat if they don't want it

I was wondering if I should offer something similar. Dc isn't into hot drinks yet, but maybe a mug of milk or chocolate milk even?

Mine are 15 and 12, dd has been a breakfast refuser since High school- they went to breakfast club in primary so had no choice.....!

I have also found that if mine don't feel like breakfast at 7-8am, they may well be hungry by 8.30am when it's time to leave. And I have before taken toast and fruit for them to eat in the car.

I dread my DS 's teenage years for breakfast. My DS is never bothered about breakfast. I hear stories of kids eating bowls of cereal. I swap change a bit of novel breakfast , not always healthy but hope I am getting in the habbit of eating someting

Could you offer the porridge pots? Might eat it on way to school? (Have also offered dd this as they are in school yard at 8am as I drop them off on way to work- shes also refused this but I think as weather gets colder she may take up the offer, just make the porridge before you leave house and give plastic spoon to eat it with- can all just be binned once finished

I could never face breakfast as a child either.
My teenagers don't eat breakfast either.- I have tried everything over the years. Instead they go to school a little earlier and have toast and hot chocolate before lessons or if they miss that then the school serves breakfast again at 10.30 am- bacon butties etc.
It does cost but they eat.

Only, I appreciate your suggestion. But school is 6 minutes from our door to school's door. I'd have no problem them taking something but with the short drive, they still will say they aren't hungry.

combust I'd offer that but we already had to put a cap on dc's school lunch spending. Meals there are upwards of $5 a meal, and dc has a $20 a week lunch cap (from us...we just can't afford more than $80 a month for lunches. Even I don't go out $80 worth for food over the course of a month!

Can't you send a snack into be eaten at break? I wouldn't force a child to eat. I often don't feel like breakfast either.

Honestly don't worry about it, I used to feel really sick in the morning and my mum wanted me to eat breakfast until one day she spoke to a paediatrician who admitted that kids tend to eat when they need to and the most important thing was that I had a drink in the morning. Hope that helps:)

Dd2(16) doesn't really like breakfast on a school morning I think its too early im the same tbh anyway I have stopped fussing there is breakfast stuff there this morning she had 2 digestive s and tea not exactly heathly I know but I can't force her to eat. She was starving yesterday morning though and had cereal and toast, op dont force the issue have food they can quick eat or take

Teens still want to be in bed until 2, 3 hours in my DDs case (stupid long bus route), after you're asking them to eat breakfast. It's no wonder they don't feel like it.

Most schools know this and provide Brunch.

I ate during my early teens but when I mved out and started work at 17/18, I gave it up and would sometimes take a chocolate bar or something to eat on the bus.

I think at that age you can't really force them but i would encourage it. I take it there is no way that you can eat earlier in the evening? We have the opposite problem in my house - 2 teen boys who eat constantly day and night - maybe you should enjoy the lack of stretch on your food budget!

Mum and I had repeated battles over breakfast once I got to my teenage years! Every day she was insistent.

Looking back I think it was due to wanting more time in bed and not wanting to eat in a rush - I was always forced to eat in a rush. I wasn't particularly hungry 20 mins after waking up.

I remember my mum making sure I ate breakfast porridge at 7 30 just used to sit in my stomach I still dont like porridge, we say dont force toddlers to eat its the same with older Children imo

My dses are 13 and 15 and most days I manage to force them to take a few mouthfulss of cereal before they leave but they are more and more reluctant. I tr y and have muffins etc in and they will eat eggs or beans on toast is I can be arsed making it - do so more in winter. Hot chocolate here in the cold weather too. If they don't eat I tell them to get a bacon roll or something at morning break.

Forcing children to eat porridge is vile!

What about sitting down for a family breakfast?

I've always refused breakfast as far back as I can remember! my stomach just don't like to eat that early on a morning, it just comes straight back up. maybe he's the same? most days I will drink orange juice or a pint of milk.