Thank you, Hilton Breakfast Alliance for sponsoring this post
Anyone else feel like 2019 flew by? I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving! Where did the year go? I think I’m still adjusting to saying I’m a Mama of two, much less a toddler and an almost four-month-old! Doesn’t it always feel like it’s summer and then you blink and all of a sudden, it’s time to start Christmas shopping? And as much as I love this time of the year, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can really get the best of me. From traveling out of town to hosting family and friends, it’s easy to get off schedule and fall out of a regular routine. For me, I’ve found this can lead to some unhealthy habits. That’s why it’s really important to me and my family to maintain our morning routines. It’s the easiest way to stay on track and prioritize what is important to us.
EAT BREAKFAST TOGETHER
A survey I referenced earlier this year revealed that breakfast is the most disconnected meal of the day, with Americans typically skipping breakfast, rushing through the first meal of the day or even eating alone. During the hectic holiday season, it can be even harder to find the time for a morning meal. However, a big non-negotiable for us – no matter the time of year -- is that we always have breakfast together. That’s why I’m excited to continue my partnership with Hilton and its five brands that offer free, hot breakfast to transform breakfast into an opportunity to connect with others.
If we are hosting friends and family at our house, sometimes we make it a big event where everyone cooks together in the kitchen. Usually people work in pairs and take charge of making specific dishes or take on clean up duty! Afterwards, we sit around the table and talk about what we want to do that day or maybe reflect on what happened the night before. It’s always a good time and a great way to start our mornings with meaningful conversation.
However, sometimes having breakfast with everyone in a big group can be overwhelming for the little ones. I will purposely tell our guests breakfast is starting a half hour later so I can spend quality time with the children in the morning while getting ready, listening to music and packing lunches before our house guests join us. Even just spending 20 minutes with my children makes a world of a difference. It allows both Sonny & Milly to have the consistency they crave and the one-on-one time they might not get the rest of the day since we have family in town.
When we have a lot of family and friends visiting from out of town, they will stay at a nearby hotel. I love that there’s a Hampton by Hilton down the street from us. It gives me peace of mind to know my guests are nearby and can enjoy a free, hot breakfast every morning. It relieves so much stress trying to take care of everyone, as I can trust my family and friends are well fed and ready for the day. The same goes for when we travel--we always prefer to stay somewhere that offers free, hot breakfast so that we can easily keep our morning routine and start our morning off right. Our favorite hotels are definitely Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites. Especially when we have a full day planned with tons of activities and outings, I feel better knowing that everyone sat down and had breakfast together.
SCHEDULE INDIVIDUAL TIME
The only way to really maintain those morning routines during the holidays or when you travel is to dissect minute by minute what your current routine looks like. For my husband, going to the gym in the morning is super important to him. It allows him to get his body moving and burn some energy. For me, I just love when the house is quiet, before the kiddos wake up, and I can sip my coffee and read or journal. For our children, they each need their individual time too. Milly loves to hang out in her crib when she wakes up. She needs about 15 minutes to stretch and play with her dolls before she’s ready to start her day. We do a little tummy time with Sonny in the morning and he gets one on one time with Mom and Dad. As a parent, one of the worst feelings in the world is being rushed or running late—combine that with an uncooperative child and it’s a recipe for a bad morning. To avoid this, schedule time into your day. Allow for buffer time in the morning.
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Being flexible is probably my biggest takeaway here. Set yourself up for success by creating realistic goals and expectations. Oftentimes, you can anticipate things as much as you want, but nothing ever goes as planned. Everyone is always a little more emotional around the holiday season and especially when there is travelling involved, tensions can run high. Going with the flow and letting go of what you can’t control is key.
Focus on what you can control and that is making breakfast a priority. Bonding over breakfast is the recipe for a great day. Having a sit-down breakfast together increases those powerful connections. In fact 89% of Americans believe having a connected breakfast would have a positive effect on them. It’s the best way to ensure you get quality time as a family before the craziness of the holiday season begins. I challenge and encourage you all to make breakfast a priority for your family and remember, time is the greatest gift of all.
