Lately, my toddler has been super into frozen foods. And when I say "frozen," I mean she literally prefers the cold, brick-like form over having the item heated up. Waffles? Cold and crunchy. Peas? Icy cold. Meatballs? Gnaw-able, please. And honestly, if it means she's eating (and not getting very angry at me for attempting to microwave something) then you do you, booboo.
Anyway, all that to say is you win some, you lose some, and you just gotta sit some out. Here's a couple ideas on how to take a path of least lesser resistance so your mornings flow just a little smoother.
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🧘♀️ Keep Momentum Rolling with No-Fail Choices
👉 Skip the “pick your breakfast” landmines and hand out choices where there’s no wrong answer:
“Do you want the blue sticker or the sparkly sticker?”
“Should we high five or fist bump after you put your shoes on?”
“Do you want to press the garage button or turn on the porch light?”
Every answer keeps them moving, and you can layer on praise (“Love that pick- sparkly sticker it is!”), plus it lets you start the day on a positive note. Obviously adjust to be age-appropriate, and older kids can even have an (optional) opportunity to earn extra allowance. etc.
We especially like that if they say no, you’re still fine because nothing essential got stalled (this is key!)
⚡ Let Alexa Do the Nagging
👉 Your smart speaker can keep the morning moving so you don’t have to sound like a broken record.
Use routines to:
✅ Play a “get dressed” playlist at 7:15
✅ Announce “time for shoes” at 7:45
✅ Read a checklist while you’re hunting for your keys
The best part? You set it once, forget it, and let the robot be the bad cop.
Want an easy way to build your own? Use our Smart Morning Routine Builder. (It’s free!)
Did you know? 🧃 JuiceBox is built by a tiny team of working parents just like you. We curate and write this stuff so you don’t have to but we’d LOVE for you to get in on the action.
💬 Got a time-saving tip or a chaos-fighting hack of your own? Hit reply and share it—we all need a village, and we’d love to hear from you.
👯♀️ Know a fellow parent who needs this? Forward away or hit this button:
💸 The (Smart) Last-Minute Breakfast Bin
👉 Set yourself up for success on the mornings you’re behind or just not feeling it.
Check your grocery store for shelf-stable breakfast foods, then stock one shelf or basket with grab-and-go options you’ve bought in bulk or on sale, like:
Instant oatmeal cups
Granola or breakfast bars
Shelf-stable milk boxes
Single-serve applesauce or fruit cups
Here’s your friendly reminder not to sleep on the Dollar Store for this kind of thing, although buying in bulk can be the cheaper option.
And to be clear, no shame if this is/becomes your everyday move - the real win is avoiding a $$$ drive-through run. Think of it as a quiet investment in sanity: you’re buying time, not just food.
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “Frozen Food Chef” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡