57% of UK parents are skipping the best meal of the day – and sending the wrong message to their children when they do. The majority of British parents skip breakfast, according to a survey published by Kelloggs. And that in turn sends a message to children that the most important meal of the day isn’t worth bothering with. More than one in five children are now following suit, missing breakfast, which in turn affects their concentration at school.

‘Mums, and parents in general, need to let their children see that they are eating breakfast and that it’s a normal and essential part of the daily routine,’ says Raisingkids.co.uk founder, Dr Pat Spungin. ‘Of course, it’s often a rush to get everyone washed, dressed and breakfasted, so having a few tricks up your sleeve to help all go smoothly will be of benefit.

‘If lack of time for you and your kids is the issue, try packing school bags, packed lunches and setting out school clothes the night before. That way, important things like sitting down to eat breakfast aren’t left to the last minute or forgotten altogether. ‘With lack of time most often blamed for skipping breakfast, Mums can consider alternative solutions, such as allowing children to eat their morning meal at breakfast clubs – these are now increasingly offered at school. It’s better that children eat breakfast at school, if that's the speedier solution for you and your family, than they miss out altogether.’

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