Feed them cereal
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
April 4, 2007 7:43am CST
I don't have to be to work today until 11. I got up with my oldest at 5:30 and while she got ready for school I made her pancakes. When my hubby was home from work yesterday I made omelets, hash browns and toast. This morning when my 2 little ones got up I scrambled some eggs, made sausage and toast. My hubby called on his break and asked what I was doing,and I told him cleaning up from breakfast. His reply was "Would it kill the kids to just eat cereal?" No, it probably wouldn't. But when I was growing up my mom never got out of bed to make sure I had a decent breakfast, and when I stayed with my grandma she always did, and it made me feel good that she cared enough to get up and cook for me. I guess I have the idea that there is some sort of unspoken appreciation that I do this for my family, even if I have to get out of bed earlier to do it. I love to cook so what's the big deal? I have nothing against a bowl of cereal, I eat a ton of it, I just don't see why my hubby had to make this remark. Does your family have any morning rituals that are important to you?
9 people like this
20 responses
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I like to get one child up before the other two in the mornings so that we can have "mommy" time. They get to spend a half hour to an hour alone with me just doing whatever the want.
My boyfriend is like your hubby he doesn't understand why I need to get up early to spend extra time with one of the kids.He has said that I can spend extra time in the afternoons with them but I don't agree because then they other two are awake and constantly wanting my attention as well.
3 people like this
@seagoddess28 (873)
• Canada
4 Apr 07
My second husband is actually more a breakfast cook now than me and keeps after the kids so that we can share meals as a family, which is really nice. This only works when the kids are home weekend mornings, because they leave for work early. So hubby and me cook bacon, eggs, pancakes and we all chow down and catch up.
3 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
4 Apr 07
My huuby and I just had the discussion about "one on one" time with our kids the other night. Monday nights soccer practice with my oldest, who is 7 years older than our middle child. Her and I were alone before I met my hubby and it was an adjustment for her to have him in our life. He thought it was silly that after soccer practice her and I always go for ice cream or something and just hang out. He thought we should just head straight home. I think each child needs individual attention. I bake cookies with our 4 year old every Tuesday, and usually bath time with my 17 month old is our alone time. With such a crazy world I think making them each feel special is important.
2 people like this
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Your hubby was problably just concerned that you were doing too much. If you enjoy it, continue by all means. I know I make pancakes once a week, and I make a lot of them, and throw the extra in zip lock freezer bags and freeze them. Then I pull them out as I need them throughout the week. WE eat cereal problably every other day, and have eggs and pancakes the other days. If the hubby's home we have a big breakfast. I enjoy cooking for my son, and will problably cook more often as my youngest gets older too. My son is always hungry sooner when he has cereal though.
3 people like this
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Your hubby was probably just saying it out of concern for you, because it sounds like you are a short order cook, LOL! If you love to cook and enjoy making nice breakfasts for your kids, just tell him that you don't mind. I wish my kids would eat eggs and pancakes- all they ever WANT is cereal!
3 people like this
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
4 Apr 07
maybe he made the remark because he realizes how hard you work to take care of your family...maybe he felt alittle guilty about it...i too get up first and pack lunches and make coffee for my husband then cook them all breakfast...i love knowing they are starting their day out with a good nutrious meal...
@seagoddess28 (873)
• Canada
4 Apr 07
You are such a loving and caring mom! I think that you are doing the right thing, by showing your children that you will forgo your own comfort so that you can give them a good start to their day. Kids need to know that their parents are there for them, and I know, in my case, anyway, that THAT was ME! (Single parenthood is a blessing in disguise, no matter what "they" say!) So keep on doing what you are doing. I read your post about your daughter and you having quality time, and that would be one of her most precious memories when she gets older and has kids (maybe even daughters) of her own. Big, big hugs to a a very nice person--U! :-0
2 people like this
@smurfettewv (359)
• United States
4 Apr 07
My daddy made us breakfast every day even if it was oatmeal and toast and we eat ceral but Im like you if you got the time and energey why not make sure they get a good breakfast.Give your hubby ceral for aweek for breakfast and see what he says lol
@TriciaW (2441)
• United States
4 Apr 07
This is a very good point. I have to say during the week I do not make breakfast because my daughters love to ride the early bus to school and eat there. It is a bit of a social time for them I think. I do however love to make breakfast for them on the weekends. I really enjoy it and so do my girls they always want to help me so I let them. Of course it is easier when I do it myself. I think it is good quality time and it helps them to learn their way around the kitchen. I have to say though I had never thought about it before now but of all the meals I make I get the most compliments from them when I make them breakfast. Are morning ritual during the week is getting up in shifts and since myself and my youngest get up the earliest it gives her time alone with me. My middle daughter never got that morning person gene so she prefers no one speak to her for the first 30 minutes she is awake. Their dad wakes up in time to tell them good bye as I take them to the bus.
@domesticengineer (576)
• Philippines
5 Apr 07
Well, married couples have a lot of uncommon things and we just have to live it. Accept the truth that our husbands sometimes do not have the same perceptions that we have in life. You might not receive any commendations or appreciations from your family right now but they would all accumulate through the years and you would only hear them how good you are and have been when you're already old and your kids have kids of their own also. Consider all what your doing as a long term investment. You won't get the interest until 30 years or so. But I believe you can already feel the fulfillment in everything you do for them. Because I myself have this special feeling every time I do something for my kids and husband.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
26 Apr 07
As I went back through this discussion today I stopped to think about your answer. My life is pretty complicated right now, and I really needed to read your response. Thanks for making me feel better.
@AngelNicki (412)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I don't have any morning rituals. When I was little though we had the same breakfast every day... oold cereal, and yogurt. And we had to drink Guava juice, for some reason. I also remember going to my Nona's for the weekend and she would always make us a really big breakfast. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, and nutritionists say that people who eat a lot for breakfast have better nutrition because they will not get hungry and snack as much throughout the day!
2 people like this
@serenidity (641)
• India
4 Apr 07
My mom used to cook breakfast till I was 10 years old but till the day I gor married i wish someone would make a cup of tea for me and then wake me up !! my kid is too young to feed breakfast yet, but i will surely try my best to make something for her first thing in the morning so that her day starts off well.
2 people like this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
4 Apr 07
My family is so hectic on school days that we just grab what we can and go. On special days, like Easter or Christmas morning, I am like you. I love to cook for my kids a great breakfast. I will make eggs, french toast, sausage and home made cheese danish. I think that this gives the kids a great beginning to their day. I wish I could do it more often.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I absolutely love chesse danish, but I don't know how to make them. Have you ever had a "kringle"? they are similar to danish, and I think there's only one place up in Racine Wisconsin that make them. They ship them to our locla grocery stores. They are soooo good!
1 person likes this
@dcroce (98)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I know you wish you could do it more for them but only Easter and Christmas? What about on the weekends when they don't have school? my mother would sometimes cook breakfast on school mornings because it was also hectic everyone getting ready for school and work but I don't think I can't remember a weekend when I didnt have breakfast made!
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Wow I can see it both ways. I too never was made breakfast by my mom, usually I had to fend for myself so it was just cereal or nothing. However sometimes in the summer I stayed at my aunt's house with my cousins, and every morning she made us either eggs and toast or pancakes and always orange juice. It was really nice! She was a school teacher and off in the summers, so i'm not sure if that's what she cooked every day when she worked or not.
However that being said, right now I have 4 kids and 1 on the way. my husband is military and gone alot, and his regular work schedule when he is home is getting to work before 5AM. So I am always alone at breakfast time. I try to make things like toast and sausage for my kids but more often than not they have pop tarts or cereal or easy stuff. I feel bad about it sometimes but not too much because I know I take the time to set up their breakfast, and talk to them ect, and really I feel that's whats most important.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Good point, it is the time that is spent together that is most important. My hubby also leaves before 5am for work so he eats these things called "pancakes on a stick". They look like corn dogs and it grosses me out but he swears by them.
1 person likes this
@4monsters4me (2569)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I used to make breakfast most days when my kids were little and my hubby worked nights. Since he wasn't around to have dinner with us it was our family meal. But now that I have a child in school I am way too tired to do breakfast. She eats for free at school so after she gets on the bus the other two have cereal. They get it themselves now, for the most part--unless the milk is too fall. They enjoy being able to pour their own cereal and milk so I just let them go. They are 4 and 5. I rarely cook breakfast anymore and my kids don't seem to be bothered by it.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 07
I always got up with the Kids and made them their Breakfast and made sure they go to School ok
There is no harm in that
Like you my Mum never used to get up with me
I had to get my own Breakfast and my Brothers and had to make sure we both got sorted and of to School
I don't know why you Hubby made that Remark, maybe you want to give him Serial lol
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
5 Apr 07
Yeah, our ritual is "Hurry up, we're late!" lol. On the weekends I make my kids breakfast, usually. My son really likes cereal though, and my daughter likes fruity o's wothout milk so I get by pretty easy. I used to like to cook but now that our schedule is so screwed up, I really don't cook like I used to. I pretty much just make quick and easy dinners, and one night a week I buy fast food.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
4 Apr 07
I agree with you , I think it is nice that you take the time to do this for your family and I believe like you they will remember this time and appreciate all that you did for them .
I don't get up with the older children and although I do get up with the younger children , I often just give them toast or some cereal . I don't enjoy cooking of any kind and so only rarely make a bigger breakfast . The fact that you do this is very nice and I don't see what difference it would make to your husband honestly . When you think about it , you would think he would be glad that you are taking the time to do this for your children as you could be doing nothing at all .
2 people like this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
5 Apr 07
During the week, the kids will have both cereal AND toast before school for breakfast. It fills them up and it gives them the energy they need to get through till lunchtime.
On a weekend though, we do the whole breakfast thing of either pancakes or eggs sausage and hash browns and all that.
Breakfast on Sundays is usually brunch lol, but the kids will have a bit of something when they get up. Seriously, to look at my kids, you'd think they never eat, but they eat like horses.
1 person likes this
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
26 Apr 07
I think your hubby was just trying to give you a break from the breakfast duty. I know that it is nice to give the kids a hot home cooked meal in the morning, and I used to do that every morning when I first moved here with my daughter. She finally told me she could just eat cereal or a poptart. I felt bad, but she would rather me make her something special on weekends when she has time to eat it. We really don;t have too many family rituals per say these days.
