October 5 10
I am Either a Genius or I am Really, Really Lazy. But You Get to Win $100 For It!

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

Breakfast is a busy time in our house.

So, since school started, I have instituted something new.  It’s genius, I tell you. GENIUS.

Before going to bed at night, I make sure these things are available: bowls, spoons, cups, boxes of cereal.
I make sure that the milk is sitting prominently on a shelf where the kids are sure to see it.

So, there you go. Genius.

My children can go downstairs and pour themselves some cereal in the morning, while I get everything else done….getting their clothes, packing their lunches, finding their missing shoes, making sure their backpacks are filled, getting their clothing ready for dance, making sure they have their swim stuff…you know, all those things we need to do in the mornings.

Tell me something you do in YOUR household that you think is genius (even if other people think it’s just laziness. I promise that *I* will think it’s genius) in the comments. Your comment is your entry to win a $100 Visa Debit Gift Card! Simple as that! Well, what are you waiting for??!?!

The contest will run from today, Tuesday, October 5th until 9pm on Monday, October 11th, 2010. The winner will be chosen randomly by our friends over at random.org. PSST. Want an extra entry to win? Tweet a link to this contest and come back and tell me about it!

Be sure to check out the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page for 24 more chances to win $100. TWENTY FOUR!

For official rules, click here.

For more information about the Love Your Cereal program, click here.

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit www.loveyourcereal.com.

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  1. I lay out the kids clothes and lunchboxes before they get up.

    Comment by Mami2jcn on October 5, 2010

  2. The leaving the cereal out idea is brilliant…my only question is…how old do the kids have to be to poor the milk? My 7 year old I’m not sure is there yet 🙂 My genius idea? Do it all the night before lol…if only I could be that organized 🙂

    Comment by Kathy on October 5, 2010

  3. My kids aren’t quite up to doing it themselves yet, but the second they are, I will be stealing this idea!
    For now, I just stay in bed and steadfastly pretend I’m sleeping until my husband gets up and gets them breakfast – genius. 😉

    Comment by Jessica on October 5, 2010

  4. I make my lunch and get my clothes out the night before.

    Also, in the morning, I do things while brushing my teeth (open blinds, feed cats, etc.)

    Comment by Kristabella on October 5, 2010

  5. Before going to bed at night, I make sure my wife has made these things available for my kids: bowls, spoons, cups, boxes of cereal.

    Comment by Gav on October 5, 2010

  6. we do everything other than showers, teeth brushing, and breakfast eating the night before. lunches and water bottle are on the bottom shelf of fridge for him to put in his bookbag. llothes are literally laying in the middle of the floor so he sees them the minute he gets out of bed.

    Comment by sara on October 5, 2010

  7. *clothes

    Comment by sara on October 5, 2010

  8. I put the makings for toast on the counter so my almost 8 yr old can get at them. He can get himself a cup of milk, and his sister too, so yes, sometimes I get to sleep in a bit. YAY!
    But thats about it. Its almost always a mad dash to school. Fortunately we live 5 minutes walk so we can run if necessary.
    Thanks for a chance to win.

    Comment by monstergirlee on October 5, 2010

  9. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/monstergirlee/status/26483274727

    Comment by monstergirlee on October 5, 2010

  10. My genius move: make the hubby get breakfast for the older kis while I sleep in with the newborn. 🙂

    Comment by Amanda Brown on October 5, 2010

  11. I used to be the crazed Mom in the morning running around making sure all assignment books were signed and everything ready. Now when they get home from school everything that needs my signature or approval is suppose to be sitting at their place at the table. I go through when I get home and take care of everything. I refuse to be the crazy lady in the morning. If they forget to lay it out for me the night before they will have to deal with the consequences at school. So far, so good!

    Comment by Deanna on October 5, 2010

  12. lay clothes out the night before and also make lunches the night before

    Comment by Tammi Marie on October 5, 2010

  13. tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/tammimarie

    Comment by Tammi Marie on October 5, 2010

  14. I prep dinner one day in advance so I can just pop stuff in the oven when I get home from work.

    Comment by jkru on October 5, 2010

  15. i have solved the milk problem! each kid gets their own serving of milk in a travel coffee mug w a lid in the fridge. I AM GENIUS 🙂
    course, they rarely have cereal on the weekdays. i do the whole cereal, etc out on saturdays when i want to sleep in!!
    i do EVERYTHING the night before- the only goals we have in the morning is that everyone is dressed and all the kids are fed by 7:50 am.

    Comment by obabe on October 5, 2010

  16. Ok so I don’t have to get out the door in the mornings but I don’t function at a very high level so every night before I go to bed I fill Chase’s cup with milk and put it in the fridge so it’s ready as soon as he wakes up. I also usually have a ziploc container filled with the cereal he likes so all I have to do is plop him in his high chair while I take a minute to wake up.

    Comment by Jen on October 5, 2010

  17. I’ll prepare my daughter’s clothes, from head to toe for daycare the night before and 15 mins. prior to leaving the house I will wake her, put her on the couch while she’s still half asleep and dress her so that by the time I leave she’s fully dressed and can whine her butt off about what she’s wearing to her daddy and not ME!

    Comment by Nellie on October 6, 2010

  18. I do EVERYTHING which requires a decision of some sort the night before because I know I am at thinking in the morning.
    chainmail(at) iwon(dot)com

    Comment by Sunshyn V on October 6, 2010

  19. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/26600770630

    Comment by Sunshyn V on October 6, 2010

  20. I realy don’t have any great ideas, just enjoy every morning as who knows there might not be a tomorrow.
    marybug2@yahoo.com

    Comment by Mary on October 6, 2010

  21. My kids are not old enough to get their own breakfast yet but when they are i’ll be stealing your idea for sure! But for now the only thing I do at night to be ready for the morning is bathe my kids and get their clothes ready.

    Comment by Danielle on October 7, 2010

  22. I am a genius because I set up the coffee the night before on a timer, so we wake to fresh coffee. A happy mom makes the morning run much more smoothly!
    Thanks for the great giveaway.

    Comment by Megan on October 7, 2010

  23. Love me sugar pops! Always the best way to go in the morning..

    Comment by Kim on October 7, 2010

  24. http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/26654916960

    tweet

    ~eunice b
    tigergal01 @gmail .com

    Comment by eunice b on October 7, 2010

  25. Making a batch of baked oatmeal and then having it on hand to warm up for breakfasts throughout the week. Super easy!

    ~eunice b
    tigergal01 @gmail .com

    Comment by eunice b on October 7, 2010

  26. We try to get everything packed and together the night before – school backpacks, lunches, folders filled out, notes to teachers, clothes laid out, mommy’s work lunch made, I even lay out my jewelry – THEN I make sure to get up a little before the kiddos to get coffee made, breakfast made, etc. Of course, I have a new baby due the end of this month, so our morning routines may be a little out of whack for a while!! 🙂

    My son is a big cereal eater and I also try to make things I can freeze and easily pull out and pop in the oven!

    Comment by Jamie on October 7, 2010

  27. Genius? Not a lot of that happens in our house. I do take care of everyone in the mornings. And then eat breakfast at work while I read my email. It works for me.

    Comment by Brooke on October 7, 2010

  28. http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/26659621160

    Comment by amber on October 7, 2010

  29. Our mornings are less hectic when we set up bowls/spoons and cereal boxes on the kitchen table the night before!

    Comment by amber on October 7, 2010

  30. I like to set out my coffee or even better remember to preset my coffee pot. Making sure everyone’s clothes are laid out is key.

    Comment by Kristen on October 7, 2010

  31. I think organization is the key to everything..so for school mornings, lay out clothes the night before, pack lunches, check and file homework,..also I cook things like muffins, blueberry pancakes,ahead of time and freeze for quick microwaving..also keep cereal and fresh fruit on hand

    Comment by Betty N on October 7, 2010

  32. Wake up husband so he can take kids to school.

    Comment by Maria on October 7, 2010

  33. I lay out the entire outfit including shoes & socks the night before!

    Comment by Katy P on October 7, 2010

  34. Well, here it goes… I have my husband wake up our son. For some reason, my 11 year old son refuses to be sick or lay in bed for longer when his father is waking him up. I make sure everything is ready the night before. He also eats breakfast at school and socializes with his friends. I know, there will be some people thinking what an awful mother I am, but think what a wonderful father my husband is!

    Comment by Susan S on October 7, 2010

  35. I tweeted http://twitter.com/rsmstahley/status/26680792056

    rsmstahley @ adelphia dot net

    Comment by Susan S on October 7, 2010

  36. i make lots and lots of pb& j sandwiches- like a whole loaf and freeze them- so they always have lunch.
    they eat ceral and fruit for breakfast unless we are behind then they eat poptarts for breakfast.
    tcogbill at live dot com

    Comment by tess on October 7, 2010

  37. My kids are pretty self sufficient for breakfast. They love yogurt cups, so that is a no brainer. What I do do that makes life easier for them is pre-cut the English muffins and bagels. My older son is old enough to toast them himself, but I don’t quite trust his knife skills yet, so if they are already cut, it’s one less thing we have to worry about.

    Comment by Debra F on October 7, 2010

  38. we keep it simple with cereal and milk

    Comment by sandra on October 7, 2010

  39. I don’t have kids – but I make sure I’ve put a diet pepsi in the fridge the night before…and I think that’s pretty genius first thing in the morning 🙂

    Comment by Darcy on October 7, 2010

  40. I put the frozen pancakes in the fridge and pour the oj and put a breakfast menu on the fridge
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Comment by Tabathia B on October 7, 2010

  41. tweet
    http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/26710877865
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Comment by Tabathia B on October 7, 2010

  42. Making a list the night before on the dry erase board and getting to bed early is my big move!
    gmissycat@yahoo.com

    Comment by Georgia on October 8, 2010

  43. Tweeted your giveaway here!
    http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/26732843141
    gmissycat@yahoo.com

    Comment by Georgia on October 8, 2010

  44. Tweet

    http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/26733099215

    Comment by Jill H on October 8, 2010

  45. I keep breakfast simple with cereal and fruit or bagels and cream cheese.

    Comment by Jill H on October 8, 2010

  46. I have chore charts ( I do this so I don’t have to repeat myself 4 different times **4 KIDS**). They mark off what they have completed and we then start school.

    Comment by Leah on October 8, 2010

  47. tweet tweet

    http://twitter.com/#!/leahforlove/status/26761990807

    leahforlove(at)aol(dot)com

    Comment by Leah on October 8, 2010

  48. I prepare most things the night before so that our mornings run more smoothly. I make lunches, prepare bags and place them by the door, pick out clothes, clean up, etc. We also usually have a “quick” breakfast of a cereal bar, cereal or toasted waffles with peanut butter 🙂

    Comment by Mary Helen on October 8, 2010

  49. I feel like a genius when I remember to set the timer on the coffee pot the night before.

    Comment by Susan C. on October 8, 2010

  50. I’ve actually kept my apartment consistently clean for about a month now. Which is definitely a new record for me. Go go gadget anal retention!

    Comment by Kerri Anne on October 8, 2010

  51. We eat something quick–like cereal and milk! thanks for a chance to win!
    kmassman gmail

    Comment by Kelly Massman on October 8, 2010

  52. Having ready-to-eat foods on hand make morning times a lot simpler. I keep bananas, granola clusters and usually have a supply of baked breakfast goods around, like danish or muffins.

    Comment by Tracy Robertson on October 8, 2010

  53. I get everything ready the night before.

    Comment by Amanda W on October 8, 2010

  54. I keep a cooler in my bathtub. I fill it with ice every night and put a sippy cup of milk in it. I am too lazy to go downstairs to get milk for my daughter in the am. I grab it from the bathroom, turn on the tv, and head back to bed for another hour…

    Comment by Shasha0612 on October 8, 2010

  55. I do everything the night before…then I get my daughter up and I stretch back out while she is getting ready.
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

    Comment by Shelly @ shellys bit on October 9, 2010

  56. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/sleatham1/status/26821433418
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

    Comment by Shelly @ shellys bit on October 9, 2010

  57. Sometimes I cook a breakfast quiche, cut it up and freeze it, then we can have a neat breakfast on some weekdays!
    HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM

    Comment by Jennai on October 9, 2010

  58. I posted this on my blog.
    http://jennaiscorner.blogspot.com/p/kelloggs-moms-breakfast-club.html
    HobartsMama [at] aol.com

    Comment by Jennai on October 9, 2010

  59. Laying out clothes the night before is a BIG time saver – and much less stressful!

    Comment by LAMusing on October 9, 2010

  60. tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/26827269394

    Comment by LAMusing on October 9, 2010

  61. Night time baths instead of morning showers are a big time saver

    Comment by Norma on October 9, 2010

  62. Genius is getting up early before everyone else to enjoy some quiet time and my coffee and read my email with no interruptions!!!

    Comment by Lisa Foster on October 9, 2010

  63. http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/26876930444

    Comment by Lisa Foster on October 9, 2010

  64. I leave the dishes on the counter all day and do them all together at night
    bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Comment by Bonnie P on October 9, 2010

  65. I pack backpacks and lunches the night before and set out clothes to save time in the morning. I also set the table for breakfast the night before.

    Comment by Susan Smith on October 9, 2010

  66. http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/26887712566

    Comment by Susan Smith on October 9, 2010

  67. I set two alarms, because if someone is up in the middle of the night (usually the dogs not the kids) or I don’t get to bed when I want to, I have a hard time waking up. I’ve avoided a lot of late arrivals by using this back-up alarm.
    susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

    Comment by susitravl on October 9, 2010

  68. AT night my tween daughter and i pick pout her clothes for the next day together. this way she dont say i have nothing to wear and i dont say you are not wearing that, change. I found this out the hard way. so much easier now.

    Comment by Jessi on October 9, 2010

  69. I prepare ahead of time.

    Comment by Judith on October 9, 2010

  70. http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/26892626594

    Comment by Judith on October 9, 2010

  71. Substitute a protein shake for a skimpy breakfast.

    Comment by Lewis F on October 10, 2010

  72. I be sure to have available good things to toss into my quick cook oatmeal…my favorites are dried cranberries and raw cashews.

    Comment by Kristen on October 10, 2010

  73. OK, I do lay out the day’s clothes the night before, but my REAL genius is keeping the clocks set a little bit ahead — that way, running late isn’t quite as bad as it could be. 🙂

    Comment by Christine on October 10, 2010

  74. We try to do as much as possible the night before. We get their snacks ready, put their clothes out. Most importantly, we get a good night’s sleep the night before.

    pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    Comment by PauleyD on October 10, 2010

  75. (http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/26967020028)

    Thanks!

    Comment by PauleyD on October 10, 2010

  76. tweet http://twitter.com/LuigiFranco/status/26969388173

    Comment by Lewis F on October 10, 2010

  77. I leave cups out on the counter so that they can grab their own water in the morning–no climbing necessary.

    Comment by Grammy T. on October 10, 2010

  78. Lazy genius! That’s my tribe!

    I recently learned this trick: Give each person a laundry hamper. Wash the clothes for one person at a time. After washing you do not have to sort! Hooray! I hate sorting.

    Comment by tammigirl on October 10, 2010

  79. Our mornings are pretty easy, we set the alarm to allow plenty of time to get dressed and eat. Generally it is something like cereal, poptarts, toast etc. Simple and Quick
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    Comment by Becky Horn on October 10, 2010

  80. I tweeted
    sweokgrl@gmail.com
    http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/26990701720

    Comment by Becky Horn on October 10, 2010

  81. We avoid the “morning rush” by fixing lunches, packing back packs and laying out clothes the night before. We also have lots of cereal, yogurts, and fruit for a fast and easy breakfast.

    Comment by Shawna OBrien on October 10, 2010

  82. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/ShawnaMichelle2/status/26992677299

    Comment by Shawna OBrien on October 10, 2010

  83. I have a white board on the fridge. When the kids walk in the door, they know that they need to write down anything I need to buy or sign, and if I need to write them a check for anything. That way I don’t get the urge to strangle them as we’re walking out the door in the morning and one of them says, “Oh, yeah! I forgot to tell you….”

    Comment by barbara wright on October 10, 2010

  84. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/bsw529/status/26993674081

    Comment by barbara wright on October 10, 2010

  85. Hmm, nothing really genius here, but we do have pretty smooth mornings. We do most of our getting ready the night before which helps.

    Comment by Kerry on October 10, 2010

  86. tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/26995109358

    Comment by Kerry on October 10, 2010

  87. Preparing lunches and showers the night before helps a ton! 🙂 Another “genius” idea is to have bowls already waiting on the table so you don’t have to rush around setting everything. Leave the washing until late as well! 🙂

    Comment by Dee on October 11, 2010

  88. tweeted! 🙂 http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/27004447679

    Comment by Dee on October 11, 2010

  89. I MAKE SURE CLOTHES ARE ALREADY PICKED OUT THE NIGHT PRIOR! IT’S MY SYSTEM AND IT WORKS LOL kytah00@yahoo.com

    Comment by ANGEL JACKLYN on October 11, 2010

  90. SECOND ENTRY TWEET http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/27024053991 kytah00@yahoo.com

    Comment by ANGEL JACKLYN on October 11, 2010

  91. I cook breakfast before the kids get up and pick their clothes out the night before.

    Comment by Ursula on October 11, 2010

  92. i will sometimes prefill my sons sippy cup..so i just have to grab it out of the fridge in the am
    nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

    Comment by nan lara on October 11, 2010

  93. I get lunches packed the night before, clothes laid out. I get myself ready first, then it’s just about the kids when I wake them up.
    rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

    Comment by Ria on October 11, 2010

  94. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/27042215229
    rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

    Comment by Ria on October 11, 2010

  95. Muffins are great! We have a great recipe for Mormon Muffins which uses All-Bran cereal and buttermilk and will stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of weeks. So, you can actually keep it and bake the morning you want to serve! You should be able to search for Mormon muffins and find them. WHITECARRIE69@YAHOO.COM

    Comment by CARRIEWHITE on October 11, 2010

  96. I do as much the night before as I can…clothes laid out for my daughter, pack her snack etc to save time in the am.

    Comment by Katie on October 11, 2010

  97. Just say no to the snooze button. It’s not worth it.

    Although this is the opposite of laziness, isn’t it?

    Comment by won on October 11, 2010

  98. http://twitter.com/#!/won2x/status/27052546187

    Thank you!

    Comment by won on October 11, 2010

  99. We just get up about 15 minutes earlier than we “need” to. That way small delays don’t completely derail us.

    Comment by Melissa on October 11, 2010

  100. http://twitter.com/#!/rmgm/status/27064683330 Tweet!

    Comment by Melissa on October 11, 2010

  101. I set the time so that it’s earlier by 15 min, and I really have 15 min extra

    Comment by Janice on October 11, 2010

  102. tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/cappytweet/status/27065990031

    Comment by Janice on October 11, 2010

  103. I get up earlier than I really need to –

    Comment by Debbie Bellows on October 11, 2010

  104. tweeted

    http://twitter.com/bellows22/statuses/27086067949

    Comment by Debbie Bellows on October 11, 2010

  105. I wake my kids up at the last minute (no time for playing around)

    Comment by jamie on October 11, 2010
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