Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Quality Mornings

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.


I have a secret to tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anybody else, okay?  Okay.  Well, the truth is quality mornings at my house are few and far between.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy having quality time with my kids in the morning, and it’s not that I don’t try to make morning a time for us to enjoy being together; in fact, I think it’s more the fact that we are all in a hurry to get going and to get our day started that keeps us from spending a bit more time together.  Half of us (myself included) are not morning people in the least, while the other half are happily milling about the kitchen, singing a tune or chatting unendingly, which creates a very interesting dynamic in our home!  I guess the quality in our morning is the fact that the non-morning people are able to refrain from yelling at the morning-loving people!


Whatever the case may be, mornings at our house are simply a time when we’re all just starting to function and we’re moving very robotically to get the few tasks on our list accomplished.  My two oldest children wake up the earliest and are usually enjoying breakfast while I’m getting ready for the day.  I think eating breakfast is the part of their morning routine that helps them to wake up, as they are much chattier and louder (often having to be quieted, as their youngest brother is still sleeping) once they’ve finished eating.  Their younger brother, Ellis (our third child), is usually awake and watching cartoons while they’re having breakfast, though on a rare occasion he will come upstairs and eat with them (though he is definitely one of us who needs more time to wake up, so it is truly a very rare occasion!).  Since he and his older brother share a bedroom, he is woken up when the alarm goes off at 6:00am.  We’ve finally got him in a routine of enjoying a little down time in front of the TV when he wakes up before he starts his day; this ensures that he is going to start his day on a much better note, having been given the chance to fully wake up before going through his morning routine, and it guarantees that he won’t wake his youngest brother earlier than necessary!

For my school age children, there is not much time allowed for us to spend together in the mornings, as we are all set in our routine of going from zombies to our happy selves!  Due to this fact, it is often the case that the kids get themselves breakfast in the morning, most frequently enjoying a bowl of cereal, and get out the door to the bus stop.  Thankfully, we are able to make up for our mornings before bed, as evenings are often filled with family time and each of our kids still gets tucked into bed with hugs and “I love you’s”.  For now, this quality time is perfect for our family.

When is the best time for you to find the quality time we all need?

--
Here's the fun part!  With this review, I get to give away a $100 Visa Gift Card to one of you fabulous readers!  It's incredibly simple to enter, and you can have up to two entries.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to enter.  To get a second entry, you may either tweet or blog about this post (including a link to the giveaway) and leave a second comment here, including the URL of your tweet or blog.  This giveaway will run from 9:00am PST (11:00am CST) today, Tuesday September 21, 2010 through 5:00pm PST (7:00pm CST) on Monday September 27, 2010.  The winner will be chosen using www.random.org.  To view the official sweepstakes rules, visit www.blogher.com/kelloggs-rules-7.

Make sure to visit the BlogHer Reviewer Round Up page to check out what other bloggers had to say and to take advantage of 23 more chances to win a $100 Visa Gift Card! BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page.

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.



93 comments:

  1. Weekends we have a lot more time for quality family time. That's why weekends feel so short!

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. a $100 visa card would be a very fun giveaway to win! :)

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  3. The best time to have quality time with my kids is in the morning, before the school bus comes.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Amy B.
    adennispac@yahoo.com

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  4. The best time is after school so we can discuss the day and maybe go to a park or on the weekends when we can eat/talk and have movie night
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  5. tweet
    http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/25174792426
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  6. Our quality time is definitely not in the early morning...we always say there are no morning mammals in our house [to include the dog]. After school and early evening are the best times for real talk and connection with the kids.

    kt1969 at comcast dot net

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  7. The best time to have quality time is after dinner & on the weekends.

    ninjapandawedding(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Friday night is Friday Family Fun night!!! We like to make the most of it!

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  9. The best time would be at bedtime with all of the hugs and kisses being thrown around all over the place.

    MCantu1019@aol.com

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  10. Our quality time is probably between breakfast and lunch. Once everyone's up and moving but before naps.

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  11. I am a morning person so I am up before anyone else and have my bowl of cereal in peace and quiet. I can look forward to each new day and the joys and challenges it will bring

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  12. Oh the weekdays, there is no such thing as quality time....we are all rushing to get out the door by 7am....but we do have a big family breakfast on Saturday mornings after we've all slept in after a long week.

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  13. At dinner and during the hour after, we spend quality family time!!
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

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  14. tweet
    http://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/25285584711
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

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  15. We try to have game nights whenever we can fit them into our schedules--that varies every week!
    kmassman gmail

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  16. I could use some Kellogg's this morning - this coffee isn't going down as fast as it should. *give me energy*
    shutterboo at gmail dot com

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  17. A strong cup of coffee gets me going and, usually, puts me in a good mood to start the day.

    scoopster(nospam)at yahoo dot com

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  18. Tweet http://twitter.com/LuigiFranco/status/25305403524

    scoopster(nospam)at yahoo dot com

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  19. I get up early before anyone else--get my coffee that is brewed right before I get up and have some uninterrupted computer time.

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  20. http://twitter.com/fostertam/status/25345819420

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  21. tweet
    http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/25347625319

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  22. 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.

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  23. http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/25360450573

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  24. I get most of my true quality time with my daughter when I read to her before bed, and we work on her little learning books while she sit in my lap.
    quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com

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  25. we are definately in our best and most playful spirits after lunch

    nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

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  26. mornings are always so busy, weekends are so much better. i like to sign up for samples and check for stocks first thing in the morning.
    songyueyu at gmail

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  27. i tweeted
    http://twitter.com/syytta/status/25361936849

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  28. During the afternoon is best!

    evil_eva12 at hotmail dot com

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  29. 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!

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  30. We have fun making breakfast together on weekends. Weekdays are always a rush, though.
    HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM

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  31. I posted about this on my blog!
    http://jennaiscorner.blogspot.com/p/kelloggs-moms-breakfast-club.html
    HobartsMama {at} aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. The best quality time is in the evening before dinner. After dinner is chore times (dishes, getting ready for morning), personal time (TV, computers) and sleeping time! So before I get too tired, I like to spend quality time before dinner.

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  33. Our quality time is eating a dinner together when we can. Sometimes schedules make it hard, but we try to do it as much as possible.
    nuthouse(at)centurytel.net

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  34. tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/25460123025
    nuthouse(at)centurytel.net

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  35. we start every morning with a hug, kiss, and a nice long stretch! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  36. http://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/25460894652 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  37. We have lazy days on Saturday. We always eat breakfast!

    leahforlove(at)aol(dot)com

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  38. My husband works on the weekends so we usually fit in quality time with our children in the weekday evenings.
    sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com

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  39. My family definitely finds our quality time usually on Sundays. Our weekdays are so hectic with school, work, and errands, we don't have much down time. Saturdays we usually do our grocery shopping and other errands and chores. So that leaves Sunday that we try to not schedule anything unless it's something fun! We actually prefer to stay home and enjoy doing things together, like playing Wii games as a family, watching movies, or playing outside. Our kids are still young, so we take advantage of them still wanting to hang out with us, lol! I cherish the quality time we all spend together as a family, and hope that my kids will remember it when they grow up.

    mandmvaught@centurylink.net

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  40. tweet
    http://twitter.com/mandmvaught/status/25535212322

    mandmvaught@centurylink.net

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sadly, we are in chaos mode at breakfast usually and have only time to eat, not to talk LOL...so the best time for us to have quality time and discussion is at dinner time. Sometimes, it's early, sometimes crazy late due to sports...but it is ALWAYS family time and LOUD! GOOD loud though...LOL!

    thanks so much!

    ejrichter60 at gmail dot com

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  42. TWeeted this promotion!

    http://twitter.com/2sic2mooov/status/25535981095

    thanks!

    ejrichter60 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I don't think anyone at our house is a morning person. angiewith3 at live dot com

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  44. After dinner is a good time for some quality time, we relax talk about our day, maybe play some games.

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  45. http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/25538586133

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  46. RT'd giveaway: http://twitter.com/angiewith3/status/25538703896
    angiewith3 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm NOT a morning person either :)
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. tweet!
    http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/25539791811
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. $100 would get my day off to a great start!
    bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. 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

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  51. i start out on a positive note by having a cup of coffee

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  52. I guess the best time for hubs, myself, and our baby boy to all have quality time together is on a Saturday morning. Little Bit wakes up and hubs goes in to change the pampy then brings him back to our bed. We all three lay in bed and play and snuggle for a little while. I love it!

    laprochaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Tweet!
    http://twitter.com/laprochaine/status/25553528792
    laprochaine at gmail dot com

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  54. LOVE YOU FOR HOSTING THIS LOL kytah00@yahoo.com

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  55. TWEET http://twitter.com/kytah00/status/25557945293 kytah00@yahoo.com

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  56. Quality time use to be after dinner, but being retired and children not at home my time is mine. too bad, so sad. lololo
    marybug2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I tweeted your giveaway
    http://twitter.com/marybug2/status/25591774609
    marybug2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. We go out to eat breakfast on Saturday Morning.

    ReplyDelete
  59. after work is best for me at home~
    jenn14_85 at yahoo dot com

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  60. We love big breakfasts on the weekend, plenty of time to talk as a family!

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/25606376067

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. 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! :) deeg131 at gmail com

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  63. tweeted! http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/25609238180

    deeg131 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Mornings are pretty chaotic and it's tough to find quality time since my daughter is totally not on output when she first wakes up. I think the best time for our quality time is when we're running errands on Saturday..she seems to open up a bit more when I'm driving and we're just talking.

    shel704 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/25611993697

    shel704 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. The best time for us to spend quality time is in the evenings. We sit and watch movies, talk, or read books.

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/THRansom/status/25615479293

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. The best time to have quality time is on the drive to school when there are no distractions and we can talk.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/25638916422

    Thanks so much

    :-D

    ReplyDelete
  70. After school homework first while I am preparing dinner and then dinner table is a wonderful place to spend quality time with the family. We share our day together.
    gmissycat@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Tweeted giveaway here!
    http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/25640349855
    gmissycat@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. We spend quality time together during the weekends. The weekdays are usually too filled up to really bond.

    pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  73. http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/25641063196


    pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  74. My kids act like zombies initially in the morning also.
    donna444444@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/25642367102
    donna444444@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Some of the best quality time with the kids is usually while they eat their after school snack. I get filled in on their days and we like to share funny stories and anecdotes. Then of course it is off to activities and whatever. But those times are special.

    ReplyDelete
  77. tweeted as well:

    http://twitter.com/swisspotluck/status/25655797144

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  78. I work from home and I work outside of the home. It is hard for me to have quality mornings everyday but we do at least 4 times a week!

    Thanks
    newmommyin08 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/royaldixie/status/25683059389

    newmommyin08 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I start my kids off with a healthy breakfast and an I Love you. uheeter at comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  81. our quality time is in the mornings my kids are in MDO and it doesn't start until 9:30. I make the kids breakfast and we get ready for the day at a leisurely pace.

    Julie1351(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  82. Right after dinner, which we eat when my husband gets home is when we all get to hang out together (usually doing legos).
    lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  83. The best time for that quality time seems to be at bedtime. No matter how many times I ask my son about his day during the day, he offers little. When I go to tuck him in, he is ready to share. I look forward to it. And then he asks me to "tuck him in real good" (tight) and he tells me I'm the best mom!

    ReplyDelete
  84. http://twitter.com/#!/won2x/status/25692152893

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  85. The best time for me to get quality time is between 9 and 11 AM. My brain isn't totally awake yet, but my body is functioning, so I can just relax while I do everything that needs to get done without feeling like a drudge. But I can only get this when my husband is out of town since he doesn't see why his constant interruptions and being in my way should be a problem - grrrr!

    bsw529 at gmail dot com

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  86. I tweeted http://twitter.com/bsw529/status/25698686947

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  87. I look forward to a huge bowl of rice krispies--love starting a day off with it. :)

    marci
    tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Just before bed at night I spend a few moments with my son to find out what was the best thing that happened that day and to address any concerns he might have. Then its hugs and kisses.
    rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I always eat breakfast or I simply cannot function. I don't have kids yet, but I do try to eat and read the paper with my husband in the morning...it's a nice way to start the day.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Quality time for us is Sunday...we go to church, enjoy a family dinner together and relax playing board games, going for a walk, etc

    ~eunice b
    tigergal01 @gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  91. http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/25720057911

    tweet

    ~eunice b
    tigergal01 @gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I find time on the weekend we make time for each other by have a big dinner on sunday

    purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. i tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/25737385449

    purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete