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Mornings can be hectic. Without a plan, we often begin the day feeling overwhelmed and frazzled before we even get going. Having breakfast together can help you get your day started both calm and connected. When you share quality time with family each morning, you won’t only be fueling your bodies, you’ll be strengthening your relationships too! And I have a few tips, recipes, and resources to help.

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Start Your Day with Food for Quality Time with Family

There are always some quick breakfasts available like cereal, yogurt, and fruit. But if you want a little more without taking the time to make something in the morning, considered these options you can make ahead of time.

Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes

Breakfasts You Can Prep the Night Before

  • Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole from MyRecipes is one of our favorites. Every time I’ve taken this somewhere, people have asked for the recipe.
  • Baked French Toast from The Pioneer Woman. Probably not the most healthy breakfast, but it’s my go-to for special occasions like Christmas morning.
  • Peach French Toast Bake by Ellie Krieger, Food Network. This one isn’t as sweet as the one above but still very good.
  • Mrs. Ren’s Baked Oatmeal. Years ago a friend of mine shared this recipe with me. I don’t know the original source, but it’s too good not to share.

Mrs. Ren’s Baked Oatmeal

Mix in 2-cup measuring cup these wet ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (The original calls for canola, but I like the clear, tasteless coconut oil for baking now.)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Whip until blended. Then fill measuring cup to the top (2 cups) with milk and set aside.  

Mix in larger mixing bowl these dry ingredients:

  • 2 cups Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal (Not instant!)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Stir with fork, then add:

  • 1 coarsely chopped tart apple with skin (Rome, Granny Smith, Gala, or Empire)
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cherries, cranberries)
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stir, then pour entire mixture into glazed baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.

In the morning, bake at 350* for 25 minutes. Serves 4 easily. May be doubled. Keeps for 1-3 days once baked.

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed even before the day gets going! Learn how you can begin cultivating the calm, deeply connected life you crave. 

Start Your Day with Faith for Quality Time with Family

Breakfast time can include a lot more than eating. Gathering around the table to talk about your faith helps focus both your heart and the hearts of your children for the day. And it provides a great chance to spend quality time with family 💛

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Related: Having Mary’s Heart in Martha’s Homeschool World
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  • According to the ages of your children, read from a Bible story book or children’s devotional.
  • If you have teens you can read through different books of the Bible and talk about them. This doesn’t need to be an in-depth Bible study. Just read one passage a day and then talk about it.
  • Use conversation starters to prompt talks about faith (You’ll find some to get your started below!)

Favorite Story Bibles & Devotionals for Children

For reading aloud with teens I recommend the Christian Standard Bible. There is a free app for your phone. But here is one especially for mom 💛

10 Conversation Starters About Faith

  1. What is your favorite story from the Bible and why?
  2. If you could be any character in the Bible (besides Jesus), who would it be and why?
  3. What do you think it means to love your neighbor as yourself? How can you love your neighbor?
  4. Describe what you think the Garden of Eden might have looked like.
  5. How can you be kind to someone who isn’t being nice to you?
  6. What does it mean to forgive someone else?
  7. If you could ask any character from the Bible a question, what would it be? How do you think he or she might answer?
  8. Do you have a favorite verse from the Bible? Share it and tell use what you like about it.
  9. What does it mean to be patient?
  10. What is your favorite miracle that Jesus did and why?

Joyful Contentment: A Study of the Book of Philippians

Learn How You Can Start You Day Calm & Connected

When I ask moms what their biggest struggles are when it comes to homeschooling I hear a couple of things over and over—”I don’t have enough time for all the things,” or “I’m just not consistent!”

But Dear Mom, you do have the time to do the things God has called you to do. And even if you struggle being consistent, you can continue to grow and learn right alongside of your children.

Having breakfast together each morning isn’t a requirement. But it is one thing you can commit to that will help set your day up so that you can grow, connect, and educate. Quality time with family is the foundation to your homeschool!

If you want to start creating a calm and connected homeschool experience, I invite you to join the Heart-to-Heart Homeschooling community. As a part of it you’ll get

  • Encouraging & challenging emails about faith, family, and homeschooling
  • The FREE resource The Christian Homeschooling Mom’s Guide to Beginning Your Day Calm & Connected: 4 Simple Activities to Get Your Day Started Right!
  • Special discounts and offers as products are released (Woo hoo! Coming soon…A Bible study for both you and your kids!)