Making children's meals...

Pink.

Hi Frankie,

If I were you I'd talk to them and see what they would like. I had a casual conversation with my ds's (14 & 8) during the summer and the eldest said he would kill for a cooked breakfast on school mornings (his normal breakfasts were toast/cereal or porridge). In a moment of madness I promised to make him breakfast every school morning. He leaves for school at 7.15am and it's nearly killed me getting up to make him something more substantial but it's been worth it.

The sorts of things I make are cereal or porridge, followed by one of the following: chopped fresh fruit and yoghurt, smoothies, cheese on toast, beans on toast, pancakes with lemon, scrambled/boiled/poached eggs, french toast, or a combination of sausages, bacon, fried egg or mushrooms with soda bread.

Most of that sounds more difficult and elaborate than it is. The table is laid the night before and in the morning they get on with the cereal part while I do the rest. They're responsible for putting down and watching the toast too.

The key for me is preparation. If I know I'm doing something like bacon or sausages in the morning I cook them the night before and a quick blast under the grill will have them ready in a few minutes with minimal effort from me. Things like putting milk in a jug the night before, soaking the porridge or making up the cheese on toast and keeping it in the fridge ready to be grilled also save valuable minutes in the morning when I'm a bit cross eyed and not quite awake.

Anyway, I've noticed a massive difference in both boys since I started doing this (particularly the youngest who is working harder at school and even his teacher has noticed a difference in his concentration levels). It might well be a coincidence but I do think it has had some effect.

Saying that every child is different. Dd (who is now away at university) couldn't face breakfast in the morning and the most I could hope for was to get a cereal bar and a smoothie into her. You will know what's best for yours but I think they really need something before they go to school.


With lunches I make the eight year old's for him and he gets the fruit etc and fills his own water bottle but since ds1 is playing a lot of rugby and his appetite has increased, he now wants three rounds (six slices :eek: ) of sandwiches. That is above and beyond the call of duty as far as I'm concerned so he makes his own in the evening. He's happy enough with that but often has to be reminded to make them though.

I think all teenagers will have their fair share of junk food that is out of our control but at least if you ensure they've eaten something decent before they leave in the morning you'll know they've had something healthy and nutritious in the day.

As someone else said the key is to talk to your children and see what they think is the best way forward for your family.

Pink

sooz

Pink-winged wrote: »

.....The sorts of things I make are cereal or porridge, followed by one of the following: chopped fresh fruit and yoghurt, smoothies, cheese on toast, beans on toast, pancakes with lemon, scrambled/boiled/poached eggs, french toast, or a combination of sausages, bacon, fried egg or mushrooms with soda bread.....

....he now wants three rounds (six slices :eek: ) of sandwiches....

....Dd (who is now away at university) couldn't face breakfast in the morning and the most I could hope for was to get a cereal bar and a smoothie into her

That's the difference between boys & girls :eek:
My boys are still little, but I had heard rumours that as they get bigger you do a weeks shop, & 5 minutes later it's all gone. Hollow legs :eek: . Now you tell me it's all true??

I am off to lie down in shock

HariboJunkie

sooz wrote: »

Good grief you must be perky in the mornings .

So I'm told.

Seriously though... When I'm making the sandwiches at night it takes a few minutes extra to prepare porridge, pancake batter or scrambled eggs. I set the table the night before too which gives time for an extra coffee [STRIKE]or seven [/STRIKE]in the morning.

Little_Miss_Saver

My DS is 12 and he sorts his own breakfast in a morning usually cereal/toast and a cup of tea or Orange juice. I never let him go to school without breakfast.For his lunch I make his sandwich (usually cheese:rolleyes: ) and he sorts the rest out, he chooses his fruit, yoghurt and either a HM cake or HM biscuit. He also makes his own squash to take with him.
He used to have £2.50 dinner money on a friday as a "treat", but he gave up as he was never able to get a cooked dinner, it was mainly a cold jacket spud or cold slice of pizza.
As he is home before me he might make himself a piece of toast or fruit to "tide him over" til I've cooked tea.

My DS likes the independance this gives him, however he knows what the guidelines are.

LMS xx

moneypooh

My DD & DS have been makin their own breakfast for years now (14 & 11). They know the importance of breakfast because by 1st break at school they are ready for food; if they didn't have it they'd be starving.
On school days they always have cereal, and there is a choice but all healthy. Usually they go for shreddies, wheatbix, porridge or muesli. Weekends we have crumpets, toast, eggs, pancakes etc...

As for lunches, I gave up doing those when they moaned about the contents! So they have been preparing their own since about 9-10yrs. I supervise their choices by getting all the items out ready and they can pick from them. So they have yoghurts (frube type for school), fruit, sandwiches, mini sausages, dried fruits & snacks etc. I help them cut chunks of cheese and DD has even made a pasta salad (extra pasta cooked from last meal).
It's really bizarre but they actually pack the same things I did for them, but because they do their own there are no complaints.

They make them when they get home from school. They wash up boxes and bottles from that day and re-fill the boxes for the next day and pop them in the fridge. It makes a world of difference in the morning.

Of course it really depends on your children. Some are up for it and others wouldn't be - so I guess there is no wrong or right age. Involve them as much as you can and let them take the lead when ready. The key is guiding them to make good choices, and that's where you step in.

I am lucky as their school does provide really good healthy lunches and they carry money just in case they fancy something hot.
I get them to eat the 'fridge foods' (yoghurt etc..) at 1st break so if they do choose a lunch then they have already eaten the items that could get wasted. Lunchtime activities usually means pack lunches are easier though.

sooz

HariboJunkie wrote: »

.. which gives time for an extra coffee [strike]or seven [/strike]in the morning.

Therein lies my problem.
I've been unable to drink coffee since I first got pregnant, almost 7 years ago! When not pregnant, I can just about stand the smell of it. Tea just isn't the same.

Perhaps I should have a red bull first thing instead