20 Years of Homeschooling a Houseful

11 September 2006

The Breakfasts of Champions

I will never forget when I once read a book by a mother of a large homeschooling family. I was so excited to glean tips about how to "do it all". In the first couple of chapters I learned that her family ate nothing for breakfast except sugary cold cereal. My bubble was burst. First of all, my husband would have to take on another job! Secondly, I'd be fighting sugar-induced rioting by 9:30 a.m. And, finally, my little frugal gourmets would organize a mutiny! They are not picky eaters, but they have come to expect a good meal (at every meal...::sigh::)

One of the ways I make this much easier on myself is to have a planned breakfast (and lunch) menu. That way I can still be creative at supper time, but not feel like a slave to the kitchen. I really worried at first that they wouldn't want to eat the same thing every Tuesday, but after realizing that many children eat cereal and toast EVERY morning, I felt secure that they have it good!

For this year, I am truly fortunate in the fact that my oldest daughter cooks all of the breakfast before she leaves for work. As other children are ready to eat, they just reheat if needed. The days of all of us sitting down for a leisurely weekday breakfast are gone. Enjoy togetherness if you are still in that season!

The 2006 fall/winter menu is:
Monday - Hot Cereal (usually oatmeal or farina)
Tuesday - Eggs
Wednesday - Yogurt & Granola
Thursday - Pancakes or French Toast
Friday - Cold Cereal (o.k., I didn't make it out without one day!)
Saturday - Homemade Muesli
Sunday - Breakfast Bread (scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, etc.)

Toast, bagels, and English muffins are usually available in addition. I don't allow juice as a general rule, but occasionally we have it at breakfast. Fruit is always available. My husband loves "big breakfasts" that include eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and biscuits & gravy so we try to have a big brunch on Sundays after church. I also incorporate some of those kinds of breakfast meals into my supper menu.

There have been times during pregnancies where I couldn't even bring myself to enter the kitchen in the mornings. During those periods, I used a plan called 9x13 breakfast ideas. They were breakfast casseroles that you put together the night before. I still utilize many of the recipes, and we occasionally do that if we anticipate a busy morning.

I'm sure that's plenty to "chew" on, so I'll leave lunch for another post!

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Comments

13 September 2006 - I've been planning to do this...

Posted by amilitarymama

I've been meaning to make a weekly schedule for both breakfast and lunch, where we have the same thing each day of the week, but just haven't gotten around to it yet! I would love to see some of your breakfast casserole ideas, though! They would be so great for weekends!

Christy

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26 October 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ReneeM

mmm lots of good ideas... I love breakfast... but not right now either! :)

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11 March 2007 - Two great tips in a row!

Posted by SusannahCox

Planning on updating anytime soon? I'd love to hear more. :)

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14 May 2007 - 9x13 breakfasts?

Posted by JenBH

I would love to see your 9x13 breakfast recipes. I have a *standard* breakfast casserole recipe (eggs, bread, cheese, sausage or other breakfast meat) that we like occasionally, and have tried a few baked french toast recipes that haven't been particularly successful.:) I would love some other ideas in this area! Thanks for sharing your breakfast plan!

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23 June 2007 - from cmmomsofmany

Posted by Anonymous

Hey, Chelle :) I'm Jacci on the CMmomsofmany group. I've tried this idea, too, and it has really helped out in the a.m. The worst is being so tired on Monday morning, everyone is up and raring to go but me, and I'm laying there wondering what on earth I'm going to feed everybody. I don't have that problem when I have a little schedule like you've outlined here. We always have oatmeal on Monday, too :) Usually w/ maple syrup. LOL, I got a kick out of your "little gourmet" comment. I made scones not too long ago and asked the children how they were. "Oh, they were pretty good. Thanks, Mama". Pretty good. They have no idea how good they have it! :) Fun post.

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About Me

When I was a young mother and homeschooler over 20 years ago, I searched for a mother of many as a mentor. I found a few women along the way that helped me with parenting, but I was blazing my own trail for the most part with homeschooling. I see now how God used that situation to draw me closer to Him. It also forced me to develop my own vision and legacy of homeschooling, rather than simply copying the plans of another. Other than simple teaching experience, I have been mostly heavily influenced by the philosophies of Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson Education (Oliver DeMille). I have read extensively about all kinds of homeschooling, and have enjoyed or endured brief forays into other methods. Later, as more books were available, and especially when I went online in 1993, many doors for fellowship and sharing ideas were opened. Now that I have moved into a new stage of mothering (no babies or toddlers, children moving out and marrying), I wanted to capture some of those things I most wished I had known when I had a houseful of small children. I want to encourage other moms to "stay the course". I have never regretted these years spent homeschooling. It was the best decision I have ever made. I now know that choosing a philosophy and curriculum need not be the basis for educating my children. God gives the vision, and we just need to get out of the boat and start walking toward Him.