When you picture family meals, you probably think of gathering everyone around the dinner table to share about their days and enjoy each other’s company over a comforting home-cooked dish. But with schedules getting increasingly packed and hectic as the year takes off, especially when kids’ evening activities like sports and after-school clubs are in full swing, it can be tricky for all the stars and schedules to align for a sit-down dinner. That’s why we’re loving the trend of making family breakfasts part of our morning routines: It’s easy to prep the night before, and everyone can enjoy time together before heading their separate ways for the day. And with the new year, there’s no better time to incorporate a new habit—family style.
Why We Love Family Breakfast
The benefits of eating meals as a family are well-documented—according to the American College of Pediatricians, eating together regularly as a family can lead to better grades for kids and teens, improved family relationships, and better mental health and well-being. Combine that with the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast—which can help kids perform better in the classroom and feel more energized throughout the day—and it just makes sense to gather everyone in the morning for a family meal.
Plus, family breakfast can be easier to fit into everyone’s schedules rather than trying to coordinate a set dinner time. With many parents heading off to work around the same time that the kids need to leave for school, everyone in your household may be more likely to be around and at the table for breakfast. At the end of the day, it’s easier to let after-work errands, school activities, and homework derail plans for a sit-down family dinner.
4 Steps for Creating and Implementing a Family Breakfast Routine
If you have a household full of night owls, getting everyone going in the morning is likely your biggest obstacle for creating a family breakfast routine. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make waking up more appealing (or shall we say, appetizing) even for those who can’t help but hit the snooze button on repeat.
1. Prepare the Night Before
If you need to take time to get ready for work in the mornings (or help little ones get dressed and brush their teeth), making a full breakfast spread from scratch just isn’t realistic. There are plenty of simple recipes you can make in advance—try prepping a crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole the night before, then finishing it off in the oven in the morning. Or for an even easier option, put together a freezer recipe then simply heat and eat on busy mornings. And if nobody is a big breakfast eater, look for ways to make the process smoother: If your family likes muffins or other baked goods, make them ahead so everyone can just grab something to eat with no prep.
2. Include Breakfast Choices for Everyone
On a similar note, if some family members like a hearty breakfast while lighter fare satisfies others, prep a couple options so everyone can sit down to something that makes their mouths water—and then they’ll be happy to commit to the new routine.
Simple breakfasts like freezer smoothie bags or cubes can be prepped and frozen for several months for a nutritious and fast treat. Or if you’re prepping a more satiating breakfast casserole for the week, pick up an alternative option at the store that doesn’t require any effort, like yogurt cups, fresh fruit, or granola.
3. Create a Schedule Your Household Can Stick To
You’re not likely to drastically change your family’s morning routine overnight. If your household is used to grabbing a slice of toast while running out the door, keep things simple for your new family breakfast. Whoever gets up first can help by setting the table or flipping some flapjacks. Older kids can help out by unloading the dishwasher from the night before or setting out prepped fruits or making toast. If you have young ones who need help getting ready for the day, just remember: The goal is to make everything as easy on yourself as possible.
4. Practice on the Weekends
Instead of testing out a family breakfast on a busy Monday morning, do a few trial runs on the weekends when you have more time (and room for mishaps). Make a meal like what you’d serve on a weekday morning, and have everyone pull up a chair to help, eat, and chat. If you can practice a few times when you aren’t in a rush, it’ll also help give you a sense of how much time your family needs.
Family breakfast doesn’t need to be formal—something as simple as sitting down and sharing bowls of cereal or yogurt parfaits together can start a fun new tradition and add a few minutes of peaceful conversation to otherwise-hectic days.
