Like many parents, I often find mealtimes to be quite the challenge. My eldest, a notoriously selective eater, continues to be a handful, while my kindergartner has a sweet tooth that keeps her distracted from actual meals. As a result, our family dinners can turn into a bit of a circus, but I recognize that this chaos is part of the parenting experience.
The time between when they return from school and bedtime is often the most hectic, especially when it comes to feeding them. Neither child tends to eat much for lunch at school—which, based on my conversations with other parents, is pretty common—and when they finally arrive home, they’re not just hungry; they’re absolutely ravenous. We’re talking about a level of hunger that could lead to a full-blown meltdown if I don’t act fast. I remember my own after-school hunger pangs all too well.
For years, my solution has been to provide after-school snacks—think mini-pizza bagels, pita chips with hummus, or granola bars—anything quick, somewhat healthy, and easy to prepare. However, this led to continuous snacking between 3 and 4 PM, making dinner feel like an afterthought or, at times, completely non-existent.
Then one day, inspiration struck: Why not serve them dinner at 3 or 4 PM, when they’re clearly craving food? I could prepare a healthy meal (or at least as healthy as my picky eaters would allow) and save the snacks for later.
I’ve been trying this new dinner schedule for a few months now, and it’s honestly been a game-changer. Preparing a meal at that hour can be a bit of a stretch, and I’ll admit that sometimes I’ll throw together a few appetizers if they’re particularly famished. But what I whip up is nothing extravagant—think pasta, chicken nuggets, or grilled cheese, paired with some fruits or veggies.
The best part? They actually enjoy it. This meal is more nutritious and filling than the snacks I used to serve, which often spoiled their appetite for the evening meal. They usually have this early dinner before tackling their homework, making them more content and focused when it’s time to hit the books.
You might wonder if they get hungry again before bedtime. They do have snacks later if they need them—preferably healthy options. This change has actually reduced their mindless snacking habits around dinner time, which I consider a win.
As for me, I often join them for this early meal. Like many parents, I start my day early, so I tend to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at times that might be considered early by societal standards. By around 4:30 or 5 PM, I’m usually enjoying a nutritious bowl of something. After the kids are in bed, I might indulge in a small snack.
So yes, my kids eat dinner at 3 or 4 PM. It may sound unconventional, but when I mentioned this approach to a few friends, they shared that they either do the same or are interested in trying it. It makes sense when you consider that our kids typically go to bed around 8 PM. Why should they wait until 6 or 7 PM to eat? This early dinner aligns better with their natural rhythms and has even alleviated some of the chaos that often comes with that late afternoon witching hour.
Serving my kids an early dinner has truly been a revelation, and I can’t believe it took me so long to figure it out. And for those who think I’m out of my mind for breaking traditional mealtime rules, I have a simple question: Why does the clock matter when it comes to feeding kids? Their bodies certainly don’t care about societal norms.
My motto is straightforward: Feed your kids well when they’re hungry. Do what works for you and your family—the rest is just noise. Bon appétit!
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In summary, serving dinner earlier has transformed our mealtime routine, addressing hunger effectively and making evening homework sessions more manageable.