Yup, we’re a little off topic, but not too far off. We’re still talking about eating breakfast.

let me retort:

A- NO! I can lay in bed (although, usually laying awake), while a responsible older kid gets up and goes downstairs, grabs a bite to eat and heads out to do the paper. I trust a responsbile kid enough to let him do that alone, without me hovering over him and pampering him or questioning him every step of the way. I’d feel confidant I’ve taught him ALL the necessary things to be safe and how to eat healthily, including breakfast.

B- You mentioned cereal. Most cereals have high fructose corn syrup. Even the "healthy" ones such as Smart Start and, one should know, that simple sugars are easily broken down, especially by youths and even more so by active youths. In fact, some of those simple sugars are healthier than honey in many health cereals and maple syrup.

And, since when is bacon healthy? I must have missed that class on parenting that said high sodium and high fat was good for kids!

Rice Krispies contains 11 grams of sugar in your avarage bowl. (serving size and bowl size are two different things) Which is low, I admit. But consider these facts as well:

A bowl of:
Kellogg’s Low-Fat Granola with Raisins = 28 grams sugar
Kellogg’s MUESLIX = 31 grams

on the contrary an equal bowl of these sugared cereals contain the following:
QUAKER OAT CINNAMON LIFE = 27 grams
Kellogg’s FROSTED mini-wheats = 20 grams

c- the only food available to anyone in my house, is the food I buy. So, I’m certain that my family is eating correctly. If I don’t want people to eat Pop-tarts, I don’t buy them. I don’t have to wake up at 5:00am to make sure, I know what’s in my house. So, that is how food eating decisions are made in the house, by me, the food purchaser. Do I make breakfast for a 10 year old? yes. But eventually the ten year old grows up and and what worked before will not work later.

D-I’m no big fan of McDonald’s, or other unhealthy eating (including Pop-Tarts), but family time is where ever and whenever you make it. As long as you’re together, communicating and showing love…it’s family time. You may chose not to go to McDonald’s, but that doesn’t mean that McDonald’s cannot be a place for families to treat themselves and be together.

There are a HOST of ways that have nothing to do with food to have those moments of sharing with loved ones, including playing board games, outside sports, study time, book reading, poetry reading, doing a puzzle, taking a bike ride, walking the park, taking a drive, going kayaking, exercising, coaching, making music and more!

My point, is that, while you may use breakfast for one purpose, does not make you the better parent than someone who uses other means for the same purpose. What’s good for the goose, is not always so good for the gander.

If Pop-tarts aren’t your thing, you may be better off answering posts concerning eggs and bacon instead of judging ANYONE who has ever served a pop-tart.