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Sharing food is one of the most important activities a family can do together. It provides a routine, a time when everyone can sit around the table and talk, share news and opinions, and have quality time that’s often difficult to achieve when your life is hectic.
There have been countless articles and surveys about the importance of breakfast, but it’s one meal we often don’t give enough attention to. If you have kids, it’s nice to set an example and take a little time from a hectic morning to sit down and enjoy a healthy and energy-providing meal.
The joy you get from sharing delicious food with your family is incomparable and one that dads shouldn’t miss out on. Whether you want to be the main breakfast-maker in the house or it’s something you and your partner want to alternate preparing, here are some tips and tricks on how to make breakfast a beloved family routine instead of a chaotic affair.
Take stock of your situation
Depending on your current situation, there are a few things to consider before you set out to become the breakfast king. You might already have a good family breakfast routine and you’re looking for improvement tweaks or you might want a complete overhaul of your kitchen tactics. Whichever the case, think about the following:
How many people are in your family
Preparing breakfast for two adults is much simpler than preparing it for two adults and kids of different ages and preferences.
What are their dietary needs and preferences
If you or a family member have specific dietary needs or preferences, you will need to take that into account for breakfast. That’s a meal that’s often high in elements such as lactose or gluten.
If they all enjoy eating breakfast
Some people are not hungry in the morning and are perfectly happy to quickly chug a cup of coffee and be out the door in minutes. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t share breakfast with you.
How much time you have in the mornings for preparing and eating breakfast
How much time you realistically have will affect what you prepare and how much time you have to eat. You might want to save some treats for the weekend when you have more time and opt for easier and faster options on weekday mornings.
Plan ahead
The morning, especially on weekdays when people need to be at school or work at a particular time, can be a hectic and rushed time. Everyone needs to be up, washed and dressed on time, to have school bags and lunch bags ready, to catch the school bus or get the train to work. This way it’s easy to overlook breakfast, to chug a quick cup of coffee on the counter and run out the door.
With a few smart steps and thinking ahead, it can become easier to carve out a little time to have breakfast together in the morning.
Time yourself
Take some time to plan out what you need to prepare each morning and how much time it takes. That might mean you need to get up 15 minutes earlier or reserve a specific treat for the weekends when you have more time.
Take advantage of meal prepping
Plan out breakfast as you would for the meals of the week and see what you can make ahead. If you or a family member like oatmeal, think about preparing overnight oats. Cut up fruit pieces the night before so that they’re already in the fridge and ready to enjoy, instead of you having to peel and cut fruit in the morning rush.
Invest in practical equipment
Think of getting an electric kettle that boils water super quickly, or a four-slice toaster that lets you make four pieces of toast at the same time.
A special omelet pan will help you make perfect omelets every time, while a blender makes smoothies and juices quickly and easily.
Make it special
The whole point of this exercise is not only healthy eating; though this is also very important. It’s getting the family together and spending some quality time before everyone goes about their day. So it’s not only the food but creating a routine, a habit that everyone participates in.
Having a routine is good for saving time, but eating the same thing can quickly become boring. You can change your menu occasionally or serve up treats that will make breakfast special.
Conversation is also essential for a nice breakfast with all the family. Ask what everyone is doing, what they’re excited about for the day that’s starting, share thoughts and memories and opinions. Food for the mind is as equally important as food for the stomach.
Finally, make breakfast a special occasion that everyone looks forward to. You can take more time on the weekend to prepare special treats like waffles or pancakes, find new recipes to change up your menu or surprise family members with their favorite treat when they least expect it. Make it count and enjoy your time together.
Avoiding frustration and getting everyone fed and happy in time during the busy morning rush might sound like a superhuman feat, especially if you have small kids. But it can be done, with a little effort and planning. It’s all worth it and once it becomes a routine, you will never look back at the hungry weekday morning chaos.
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This content is sponsored by Darrian Wilkins.
Photo: Shutterstock
