Breakfast Battles Begone!

Once upon a time, we had a well-functioning breakfast routine in our house. My husband happily took the lead in the mornings, guiding our toddler through getting dressed and brushed while I lingered in the blissful land of snooze. Our little one was free to choose what she wanted for breakfast, and the whole affair was remarkably calm and easy.

But then, our second child came along, and everything changed. Somewhere around age two, little sister woke up to the world and realized no big sister would rule over her breakfast choices! Nope, she had requests of her own. That’s when the Breakfast Battle in Seattle began.

Some days, little sister would want what big sister wanted. That is, until she took a bite and realized she didn’t like it. Then, she’d demand something else. Other days, they wanted completely different things. Two kids, two working parents, and two different breakfasts? For those of you who know the pain of short-order cooking, you can imagine our frustration.

The Breakfast Chart Solution

After weeks of stressful mornings, it was time to come up with a new plan. That’s when it hit me – our amazing morning routine chart could be the key to solving our breakfast woes.

I brought the kids into the conversation, asking how they felt the current system was working. They both admitted it wasn’t. So, I shared my idea of creating a breakfast chart, where together we could select from various weekday breakfast options.

We brainstormed a list of approved items, put the less suitable options on a separate weekend list, and found clip art to represent each choice. Then, the girls took the reins, filling in the chart for the entire week during our Sunday family meetings.

From that point on, we simply prepared whatever was on the chart each day. No more nagging, negotiating, or short-order cooking. The kids were empowered to make their choices, and we were able to enjoy a smooth, stress-free morning routine.

Over three years later, the breakfast chart has become a thing of the past. But the lessons it taught our family – about working together, learning from mistakes, and sharing power respectfully – have stuck with us. Those principles have helped us navigate countless other parenting challenges with more peace and connection.

Breakfast Hacks for Busy Mornings

Of course, even with a well-oiled breakfast routine, mornings can still be a whirlwind. That’s why I’m excited to share some of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes and tips to simplify your weekday mornings.

One of the most successful make-ahead breakfasts in our house has been yogurt parfaits. I layer full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries, such as mashed raspberries or frozen wild blueberries sweetened with a little maple syrup. I also add some chia seeds or hemp seeds for a nutritious boost. Granola, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, and other yummy toppings are also great options. The kids love assembling their own parfaits the night before, and they store beautifully in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Baked oatmeal is another lifesaver. My friend Taesha’s Blueberry Zucchini Baked Oatmeal and Baked Apple Sweet Potato Oatmeal recipes are both veggie-loaded and utterly delicious. I like to bake the oatmeal in muffin cups, then pop them out and store them in the freezer for quick reheating.

And of course, we can’t forget the humble make-ahead muffin. Whether it’s Healthy Strawberry Banana Muffins, Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins, or one of my other favorite nutrient-dense recipes, having a stash of homemade muffins in the freezer is a breakfast game-changer.

And let’s not forget about the breakfast sandwich or burrito. You can easily make a batch of freezer-friendly breakfast burritos or sandwiches, loaded with eggs, veggies, and protein, for quick reheating on busy mornings.

The key to simplifying weekday breakfasts is all about advance preparation. Whether it’s a breakfast chart, make-ahead muffins, or customizable parfaits, having nutritious, kid-approved options at the ready can truly transform your mornings. And with a little creativity, you can even make breakfast feel like a special treat, rather than a chore.

So, are you ready to bid farewell to breakfast battles and embrace the magic of make-ahead meals? Head on over to Home Cooking Rocks for more recipe inspiration and time-saving tips. Happy (and simplified) breakfasting!