Mornings are often a stressful time getting everyone fed, dressed, lunchboxes done you all know the drill! What if it was a happy fun and relaxed time and you still left the house on time! It is possible – will it be a ride in the park to make it happen – well that depends, I don’t live in your house…. I did live in mine and most mornings were happy and fun. Were there times when it all went to custard ABSOLUTLEY, that’s life!
If your mornings are crazy and you want a fairly stress free morning you and your family may want to take some time to have a chat about it and set up an new routine. Like anything it will take time it’s like learning anything new it will take time so just keep going and one day you will realise how different your mornings and days become.
Kids are usually in bed between 7-8pm and typically waken around 6.30 – 7am that’s between 10 – 12 hours sleeping with the last meal being possibly between 5.30 – 6.30pm. Breakfast means breaking the fast of the nights sleep – 12plus hours without food.
Their bodies are constantly growing and to prepare them for a day full of activity, growing and learning. Breakfast is a vital part of their day so make it count, set them up for the day. What a wonderful gift to give them every morning!
This is worth getting up 20 or 30 minutes earlier to be prepared for when they wake up so you can hit the ground running.
I know and I hear you, mornings are generally a mad rush to get kids dressed, fed and out the door and often yourself/selves off to work! Trust me it is so worth it.
Preparing a full and complete breakfast is so important and please try not to get hung up on the lunch boxes, while it is important that what you give them is healthy and has protein carbs and good fats, they have very little time to eat it and are often preoccupied with the prospect of what they are going to play after lunch or what someone else has.
It is vitally important that they start their day with and powerfully nutritious breakfast and that they have a good hit of protein when they get home with lots of veggies and some fruit. Remember hydration is a very important part of everyday throughout the day!
Involve them in this process. Sit down together and write out a lunchbox menu for the week and prepare accordingly. Include dinner leftovers in their lunchboxes, make it easy on yourself.
I’ve worked in schools and been around while they eat their morning interval snacks and lunches – they are busy and short.
If they have a good breakfast an easy healthy morning interval snack, some protein and healthy fats at lunch and you have a balanced snack ready for them straight after school they will be more alert and focused both at school and home and more likely to eat a good evening meal and go to bed without fuss. “No, I’m not handing out guarantees!!”
Hopefully some of these tips and recipes here will help.
Prepare ahead have your breakfast planned and pre-prepared the night before, along with the lunchboxes. Make use of leftovers, cook extra of anything that can be added in some way to lunches or after school snacks.
Have a morning routine – yes I know it is often easier said than done.Trust me once you get into the routine of it you will be surprised home much more relaxed and fun the mornings can be.
• Have school bags and clothes for the next day sorted before bed
• Get up 20 – 30 minutes before the kids
• Get yourself dressed and ready
• Take what you require for breakfast and lunches out of pantry and fridge, set up your work station.
• Time for the kids to get up and dressed
• Involve the kids in the morning by setting the table, if they’re old enough helping with the preparation
• Once lunches are done and in the school bags start breakfast.
• All sit down together and have breakfast if possible, this will set the day up and give you time to slow down
before the rush out the door
• Have everyone be part of set up and clean up
• Bathroom necessities – face, teeth, toilet
• Out the door – happy, well-nourished and ready for an exciting day of learning and fun
One thing I found very helpful was NO TV or other screens, instead we had uplifting music playing, not the radio with negative news! Plenty of time for that during your day.
Set sometime aside on a Sunday to prep for the week ahead just as you would for taking them to school or the Doctor it’s not negotiable.
Suggestions:
• peel and grate carrots and pop in airtight containers, do the same with some edam cheese cut into slices or bite size chunks to add to wraps, salads etc.
• Cook a batch of Meteor balls or Sticky Orange Nibbles and free flow freeze them and bag them up or pop them into an airtight container, great for after school protein snacks and in a lettuce wrap for the lunch box
• A few days’ supply of boiled eggs
• Carrot and celery sticks
• If your kids like them a good batch of mousetraps
• Make a few batches of nice healthy muffins and freeze
• Nut Bars
• Bliss balls
• Cook a little extra each night and use the leftovers creatively
Make the start of your day FUN not a chore, start the day well with good food a smile on your face and a happy heart. Make a habit of telling each other five things you are all grateful for every morning. Enjoy a happy breakfast together
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