Breakfast can be the most stressful part of the day for parents. Half of parents feel guilt in the morning, driven by failing to serve up a nutritious breakfast at home, skipping breakfast altogether or opting for other less nutritious breakfasts on-the-go. Here are some tips to make the morning breakfast routine run smoothly,

• If mornings are hectic, get breakfast going the night before. Before bed, set the table with bowls and spoons, and leave cereal boxes in a convenient kids-can-reach location. In the morning, you’ll just need to add the milk!
• And whether you choose to assemble the breakfast basics the night before or during the morning rush, involve your kids in the process. It opens up an opportunity to teach them the basics of healthy eating, especially for what many consider to be the meal that shouldn’t be skipped.  
• Children aged four to six can help set the table and choose cereal. Keep cereal boxes on a low shelf for easy access.  
• Six to ten-year-olds can pour cereal and milk into bowls. 
• Tween and teens can help by cutting fruit, pouring drinks and cleaning up.   

While it may take a few weeks for children to master these tasks, over time they will become efficient and help save precious time in your hectic morning. And once they know how to expertly serve themselves cereal and milk without your help, you can look forward to smoother mornings during the week - and maybe even a few extra precious minutes in bed on Saturday. 

Think outside the box
If you are looking for a change from cereal with milk, try one of these equally quick and delicious morning options:

• Combine fruit, yogurt and cereal for a delicious breakfast delight. Or, if you have the time, layer these ingredients into a tall glass for a parfait
  
• Spread nut butter on a banana and roll it in your favourite cereal
  
• Add bran cereal to a fruit smoothie to boost the fibre content
  
• Make ahead and freeze a batch of bran muffins or cereal bars using bran or whole grain cereal
  
• Sprinkle high fibre cereal and fruit atop frozen pancakes or waffles
  
• Make on-the-go trail mix by combining cereal, nuts and dried fruit in a portable container
  
• Who says cereal and milk need to be eaten in a bowl? If you do need to dash and dine, for an equally nutritious option, bring a bag of cereal and a portable cup of milk.
  

 For more great ideas and tips see
www.morningcrunchtime.ca