Feeding children can often be a challenging task. My eldest child is notoriously fussy about food, while my youngest has an insatiable sweet tooth and struggles to remain seated at the table for more than a few moments. As any parent knows, mealtime can sometimes feel like a chaotic ordeal. Yet, this experience is quite common among families.
The time between getting home from school and bedtime can be hectic, especially regarding meals. My kids don’t consume much for lunch at school (as I’ve learned is typical through discussions with other parents), and by the time they return home, they are absolutely famished. Not just a little hungry—I’m talking about “if I don’t eat now, I will collapse on the floor and cry for half an hour” hungry. I can relate; I remember coming home from school feeling the same way.
For years, I resorted to providing after-school snacks—mini pizza bagels, pita chips with hummus, granola bars—anything quick, relatively nutritious, and easy to prepare. However, this led to continuous snacking from 3 to 4 p.m., which made dinner feel almost irrelevant. The two eating sessions just blended into one another, creating confusion and frustration.
Then, one afternoon, I had a revelation: What if I offered them dinner at 3 or 4 p.m. when they were most hungry? A wholesome meal (or as nutritious as my picky eaters would tolerate) could replace those incessant snacks. I decided to give it a shot, and I can confidently say it was the best decision I’ve made as a parent.
While preparing an early meal can be a challenge, I find it manageable. When they are truly starving, I sometimes serve appetizers first. The meals themselves are uncomplicated—think pasta, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, alongside fruits or vegetables. To my surprise, they enjoy this food much more than the snacks I previously offered, which only dampened their appetite for dinner. They usually finish this early meal before tackling their homework, which means they are well-fed and content during that time, as well as throughout the evening.
One might wonder: if they eat dinner so early, don’t they get hungry before bedtime? Yes, they do have snacks later if needed—preferably healthy options. This practice has significantly reduced the mindless snacking that used to occur before and after dinner, which I consider a positive change.
And what about me? Do I eat at the same time? Surprisingly, I often do. Like many parents, I wake up early and find myself having breakfast, lunch, and dinner earlier than most. While my dinner might not be as early as my kids’, I usually sit down for a healthy meal around 4:30 or 5 p.m. After they go to bed, I might have a small snack.
So yes, my kids eat dinner at 3 or 4 p.m. It may seem unusual to some, but upon discussing it with friends, I discovered many of them follow a similar routine or expressed interest in trying it after hearing my experience. Considering that children typically go to sleep around 8 p.m., it makes sense for them to eat earlier rather than waiting until 6 or 7. This early dining schedule aligns better with their natural rhythms. Even when school isn’t in session, my children prefer this arrangement, which also alleviates the notorious 4 p.m. witching hour.
Feeding my kids an early dinner has been a game changer, and I can’t believe it took me so long to realize it. For those who think I’m unconventional for this choice and that children should eat at a more traditional dinner hour, I pose the question: Why should we be bound by arbitrary meal times? Children’s bodies don’t care about societal norms (Spoiler alert: they don’t). My philosophy is simple: Feed your children well when they are hungry. Customizing your approach to meet your family’s needs is what matters most. The rest is just noise. Bon appétit!
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Summary:
Feeding children can be challenging, especially when they return home from school starving. After years of managing snack overload, I discovered that serving dinner at an earlier hour—around 3 or 4 p.m.—has transformed mealtimes for my family. This approach ensures my kids are satisfied and less prone to unhealthy snacking, aligning better with their natural hunger cues. Customizing meal times to fit family needs is essential, and the conventional dinner hour may not always suit everyone.