For years I told myself that I was a bad Mom if I did not want to eat breakfast with my family most days of the week.
I forced myself to eat Eggos, and took sips of smoothies that disgusted me. I sat at the table resentful, angry and exhausted.
Nagging, bitching or falling asleep.
I mean I come down super hard on families who don’t make time to eat dinner together…so why would breakfast be any different?
So we went through two years of forced happiness at our breakfast table where all I wanted to do was be on my laptop or blackberry in my home office shut away. Or out exercising before the day began.
This breakfast routine caused me hardship later on in the day too-as had less time to work in the morning before going to work which really works for me (lots of work in that sentence eh?); and often made me miss out on a morning power walk.
One day my husband said (sweet husband is getting back in my good books again this week) “Why don’t I just get up most mornings and make breakfast for kids and sit with them? I love making them breakfast and I need extra time alone with them anyways..."
He also loves driving the early morning carpool.
So for weeks and months I felt guilty and inadequate until I embraced “loving what is” Now I am a happy camper with our morning routines. Guilt-free and respecting what I want and need and also my husband and family’s happiness. Win-Win vs Lose-Lose.
So now morning is productive and good and healthy for all of us. One day a week Hubby sleeps in. Most days of the week when I come out of office, I am excited to give those big hugs and kisses and send them off on their day.
I often ask myself what we fight our natural rhythms in life, fight our own happiness really?
Make it a habit to respect yourself.
Disclaimer: For all coaching clients or collegues who read this and say-“You are right then no family dinner for us!” My advice is: then make sure you have the family breakfast every morning. You have to choose at least one or else don't bother coming to see me this weekJ)
