This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kellogg’s.
I really wish that I could take some credit for the happy mornings in our house.
Really, I do.
But the fact of the matter is that cheerful isn’t my typical disposition early in the mornings. Oh, I try to fake it. I say “good morning!” like I mean it, and I do my very best not to grumble. But the fact of the matter is that I have about a thirty minute window between “awake” and “civil,” and the first key to a good morning around these parts is that I experience the window on my own. Up thirty minutes before everybody else. Or the morning goes downhill and fast.
(I’m really not that bad.)
(I just like to wake up gradually).
However, despite my questionable disposition in the mornings, there is another force at work in our house that always seems to counter – and I’d even say trump – whatever grumpiness I might have going on. The other force is about four and a half feet tall, about sixty pounds, and he’s never, ever, EVER met a morning that he didn’t absolutely love. He’s a seven year-old dose of cheerfulness and light every. single. day.
Don’t worry. We’re not requiring him to show up at the breakfast table in a suit a bow tie. But the expression on his face in that picture? It’s the way he looks as soon as he wakes up. That is to say: happy as a clam.
Even though I don’t have to do a whole lot to keep the morning mood light and upbeat (thanks to our resident Cheerful McHappyson), I do try to keep our mornings predictable. It does us all a world of good when we don’t feel rushed or hurried or dead-dog certain that we’re running 15 minutes late. I like to have breakfast on the table by 6:30 at the latest, and while we’re eating I typically look up our verses for the day and read them out loud. After that I put on my make-up while the little guy is getting dressed, and by 6:55 we’re ready to head out the door – usually without incident.
You’ll be happy to know that by 7 in the morning I have usually found my way to my early morning happy place. It just takes me a little while to get there.
So what about you? What do you do to get your family’s mornings off to a good start? Leave a comment with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card (and come back next week to enter again – because these giveaways will continue for the next 5 weeks).
And be sure to visit the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page – you have 24 other chances to win $100 every single week that this program is running!
Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit www.loveyourcereal.com.
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We try to wake up gradually…then eat together as a family!
We have a ready-for-breakfast-by-7:00 a.m. rule. That means the alarm goes off at 6:35, and the school-aged kids have to get dressed and do whatever hair maintenance they need, then they have free time until 7 a.m. It helps them to have some “fun” time to read or play (and it’s all under their control, depending how fast they get up & dress) right away in the mornings.
I always wake my little guy up with lots of snuggles and smiles. It helps put us both in a great mood each morning!
To get my family’s morning off to the right start I must have coffee! otherwise I’m stumbling around and grumpy.
My husband and son are BOTH like that when they wake up…happy as a clam. I, on the other hand, am not. So, they have a little daddy/son time each morning over breakfast while I wake up a little slower. :)
Since my boys are both teenagers now, the best thing I can do to start my morning is to pray!
prepare the lunches the night before! stress in the morning is the worst!
Coupons baby! I’m on my 2nd week of coupon shopping….it’s all new to me, but fun. Cereal, pop tarts, Carnation Instant Breakfast. Bring on the coupons Kelloggs! :0)
I lay everything out the night before to cut down on the morning chaos. I also wake up 15 minutes before I get my daughter up; this way I have time to use the bathroom uninterrupted (she’s 14 and spends most of her morning in the bathroom) and also relax with a Diet Coke.
I have two small boys, so there is no possible way to ENSURE that the day starts off on a positive note. Little boys are prone to be unreasonable about the silliest things (I didn’t want ketchup on my sandwich today, or a fight to brush their teeth). I try to stay on our tight schedule – not leaving much room for negotiation. Get them up and out the door quickly and efficiently. Avoid conflict. Never try to make any important decisions (like if a they can have a playdate this weekend) during our morning routine. Most important of all, we start with a kiss and hug!
I have to allow extra time for my daughter and I to “wake up” too. I try to have clothes picked the night before, and a good option ready to go for breakfast so we don’t have to think too much in the morning. :-)
The night before, I try to get my daughter to have everything “walk out the door” ready for school. And I plan and (sometimes!) prepare her lunch/snack, too. That leaves morning all about breakfast… the Kellogg’s way!!
I get the coffee going!
For things to run smoothly I absolutely need to get up at least 15 minutes before everyone else. I start the coffee and just “get my bearings”. I love the quiet those few minutes give me!
Remain silent until coffee
I always start the night before prepping my son for the next day’s activities. This helps especially if we have something to do first thing in the morning. Then his favorite breakfast “cheese, poptarts, and chocolate milk” always helps too!
A strong cup of coffee gets me going and, usually, puts me in a good mood to start the day.
I start off with prayer and then I have breakfast with my daughter and we chat about having great expectations for the day!
bleatham*at*gmail.com
I wake up my daughter with a Tickle Fight! Works like a charm.
I start by trying to be quiet in the morning to meditate!
kmassman gmail
I believe that a good stretch can make any morning better. So I make sure I get one in. And then love on the doggins. It makes the mornings way better.
getting up on time :)
I love to have my Kellogg’s cereal with my man at the table. Even if we eat in silence because we are both too tired to have a meaningful conversation it is nice to know that we started off the day together! :D
Mornings……….beautiful sounds, roosters crowing..fixing breakfast for 2 and 4 legged creatures to start the day off right….God is Good
I try to do as much as possible the night before – clothes laid out (socks and shoes too), papers signed, bookbags packed, etc.
My husband and I usually get the morning started by having a nice little conversation over breakfast. (Usually cereal for me and juice for him)
To get the day started off great, I drink coffee with french vanilla creamer (ahh the simple joys in life). Once that has taken effect, we are generally good to go :)
I try very hard to not “yell” or demand much in the mornings. Negative energy in the morning is the absolute worst. I also demand everyone make their beds because I feel like it’s starting the day on the right foot. :)
Two things, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and oatmeal. That’s all it takes to start the morning off right around here…..
There’s only one way to start the day! With a bowl of Kellogg’s Special K Fruit and Yogurt, followed up by a cup (or 3) of coffee! Then I wake my one year old, and the fun begins:)!
Important to get as much as possible done the night before. I always shower and iron my clothes the night before. I also set out my cereal bowl and cereal or oatmeal and have the coffee set to be made when I get up.
http://twitter.com/fostertam/status/25345594013
My kids are grown but they carry this to their families. Pre plan and share the responsibility. Even a 2 yr old has a responsibility.
http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/25360225970
coffee or i’m a bear! and my son needs apple juice or he’s a baby bear!
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
we make sure our stomachs are filled and try not nag too much first thing in he morning.
songyueyu at gmail
I prep as much as possible the night before…sometimes I sleep in my work clothes. More sleep=happier momma. Okay, I don’t really sleep in my work clothes, but I’ve totally considered it.
I make sure to have the coffee ready and a bagel will do !
evil_eva12 at hotmail dot com
I like to get everything completely ready and the car loaded before I wake up our son.
I let the Princess sleep as long as she wants or as long as possible. Then? She wakes up in a glorious mood. As for me, I take a looooong shower. Something about the warm water is both soothing and invigorating.
Cereal is the best breakfast. It.keeps everyone happy.
Wow, breakfast on the table at 6:30… we’re all still in bed at that point!
To have a happy morning at my house… I need at least an hour and a half time before I have to be anywhere, otherwise I’m rushed and cranky. And I’m never fully awake until about 9 no matter what time I get up, but going to bed before midnight does wonders for the morning too! ;)
I try to have everyone up and at the breakfast table at the same time. Then we pray together and eat together, and the day always seem to go better. =)
I like to start my day out with a protein packed breakfast of 1/2 c. cottage cheese, fruit and cereal. Then it’s off to the gym for me!
I need to be basically ready before the kids get up. I try to get them fed, clothed and out the door without a meltdown and fight.
I have my coffee before anything, then take care of breakfast after that.
I brush my teeth as soon as I get up. Immediatley! There’s something about having fresh breath that makes waking up easier!
I try to make sure we all wake up with extra time to spare in the morning. We all get grumpy when we are rushed!
we start every morning with a hug, kiss, and a nice long stretch!
To start off, prayer. Then that gives me peace and I can handle what comes my way!
We always eat breakfast. We don’t miss!
leahforlove(at)aol(dot)com
Love, patience and breakfast. Those things (along with some advance planning the night before) seem to help get our mornings off to a great start!
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
If I get up early, things run smoothly and everyone is happy. If I oversleep… we are rushed and things tend to get a little… shall we say….. snippy. LOL
I try to get the mornings off to a good start by letting the kids have some choices in what they want for breakfast. They like to feel they have some control.
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
I posted about this on my blog!
http://jennaiscorner.blogspot.com/p/kelloggs-moms-breakfast-club.html
HobartsMama {at} aol.com
I get up 1/2 hour before the kids so I’m all ready by the time it’s time to wake them up, while they are getting dressed I’m making breakfast so I have some time to eat breakfast with them.
I always try to kiss my hubby before I leave for work in the morning
I don’t have kids, but to get my day off to a good start I lay out what I need the night before. Way less stress :)
Getting plenty of sleep and a good breakfast are key
To make sure my day starts right – A smiling baby, a kiss from my hubby, a small prayer and a huge cup of coffee! Breakfast for the baby always – for me….well, that may be optional.
Melanie
mel2266@gmail.com
Everybody has those crazy, not ready for the world mornings, but after years of chaos I have learned that life doesnt have to be perfect…you just have to be PREPARED! My kids are at an age where they can help out a lot more now…and I have found that i DIDNT give them enough credit when younger…they really could have started being a bit more responsible YOUNGER! We do try to get things ready ahead, best we can, but even then things can go downhill fast and you just have to take that PERFECT word out of your vocabulary. What you can never compromise on is making sure your kids are “FED” lots of love and security…and they always know you’re proud of them. Mornings go much better when you take that pressure off and to TRY hard to be relaxed and positive, even if inside you might be intense. Kids dont need to start their mornings that way! In my opinion, life is hard enough as it is without a hurried, anxious morning to contend with!
thanks!
TWeeted this!
http://twitter.com/2sic2mooov/status/25543156844
thanks!
Like you, I need a window of time by myself in the morning. But I like about an hour before I really get going.
i start out on a positive note by having a cup of coffee
I find the best way to start off is with a good attitude, a cup of coffee, some oatmeal, and of course praises for our Lord and Savior!
laprochaine at gmail dot com
I ALWAYS ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO WATCH CARTOONS WHILE GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL! kytah00@yahoo.com
I SAW IN THE “OFFICIAL RULES” YOU MAY TWEET FOR AN SECOND ENTRY, SO HERE IT IS AND THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY! http://twitter.com/kytah00/status/25557794790 kytah00@yahoo.com
One way that I start my morning off with a positive note is to take in the fresh air of the morning. Nothing like the birds chirping and the sun just coming up in the morning to cheer up a morning. Then I pass on that cheer to my son with a snuggle, kisses, and a I love you. It always brings a smile to his grumpy morning face. lol
Mel4Him777{at}gmail{dot}com
My breakfast starts with my coffee and me.
Children grown and husband passed, so coffee and blogher is my start of the day.
marybug2@yahoo.com
I never let anybody leave the house without a kiss and a hug.
Smile, give kisses to my hubby, and doing laundry makes me happy in the morning!
jenn14_85 at yahoo dot com
Omg what a lil handsome man! Too cute. We get breakfast and hugs for the kids, and coffee for ME ;)
Saying good morning with a smile and eating a delicious and healthy breakfast such as oatmeal or cereal with fruit is a given. But I always play music to get out of bed and do a dance do one song. It energizes everyone for the day when you play a great positive song and shake it! :)
We never leave the house without a hug, kiss and “I Love You”!
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/25638416160
Thanks so much!
:-D
The night before, I ask the kids what sounds good for breakfast and they pick out their clothes and lay them out. That seems to work really well.
gmissycat@yahoo.com
Tweeted giveaway here!
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/25640014576
gmissycat@yahoo.com
I ensure a bright start by drinking a warm cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on the porch.
And I give my wife + kids a hug + kiss goodbye.
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Everything must be done in advance the night before so that the mornings are not more painful and chaotic than they already are (just by virtue of being mornings – Ugh).
If I can just get up a few minutes earlier than everyone else and quietly enjoy a cup of tea and the paper, then things for me seem to go smoother too.
I start my kids off with a healthy breakfast and an I Love you.
We have cereal for breakfast almost every morning – one thing that my picky eater daughter will eat! AND coffee for my husband and me!
Mornings at our house go oh so much better when MAMA is in a good mood. Which generally means that Mama has dragged herself out of bed before the children and been COMPLETELY ready for the day before their feet hit the floor. And it always helps to spend some time reading God’s Word, too. :)
School days …Fiber One Oat bar with some OJ or millk …Weekends …Scrambles eggs, toast and fruit or cereal …I’m getting hungry! bggianakos@yahoo.com
I get up earlier than everyone else! I need to gear up for the day. When my mood is happier, so is everyone else’s!
The best way for my family to get going in the morning is for me to get going. So I like to get up before everyone else and go out for a quick job. It seems to energize me so I can get my family up and moving each morning.
I try to do everything that I can, the night before. Lay out their clothes, get their snack or snack money ready, etc…. doing this, helps the non-morning person just a wee bit
The best invention we’ve welcomed into our household is a coffee maker with a timer on it! We’re able to have cups of coffee together before we go out into our days! :)
A smile and a big, “Good morning!”
Our mornings get off to a good start when I actually get up when the alarm clock goes off–despite hating mornings (esp. dark and rainy ones like today!) and get my butt in gear. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, and I am LOST w/out mine!
I play music REALLY loud.
My husband is recently retired, so we tell him to stay in bed and OUT OF OUR WAY until we have had our showers and Cheerios. It’s a lovely thing when he follows our directions!
protein, protein, protein! That’s what I’m always telling my kids in the morning!
I enjoy sitting in my favorite chair & having the sunlight shining in the window while I soak in the word from the Son of God…my personal devotions help to start my day right!
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/25719910978
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~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Okay, well, first of all… I try to wake up. And then, I try to get outta that wonderfully comfy bed that loves me. Then I grumble down the hall and realize my 16 yo is up and texting already. Thats just crazy I tell ya. Then ever so slowly I gladly realize that I have 2 great kids, a pretty cool job, and some food in the fridge. Life is good. Thank you Lord! Amen!
I like to start the day with iced decaf – extra cream, regular sugar – and a cinnamon raisin bagel. If I have time, I love a bowl of cereal with fresh blueberries or bananas!
The only way is for me to get up,shower and then the rest of the bou gang going!
i try to start each morning off well aleast 10 mins of me just to think and relax because i woke up the kids
purple_lover_04 at msn dot com
I make sure I wake up my children early enough to give them time to wake up before we have to start getting ready. Otherwise, we will have meltdown in a mega way. Thanks for hosting the giveaway! BTW – Love Kellogg’s!!!
I know this may disgust a few…but I am totally a morning person. I love to go to bed at 10 p.m. and get up before the sunrise. Getting my workout done, watching the sun rise, to give myself time so I’m not rushed, beee-utiful.
My daughter and I try to sit and eat breakfast together before taking her to school and anyone else in the house is awake. It gets the day started nice and peacefully.