As a parent, feeding my children can often feel like an uphill battle. My eldest is notoriously picky, while my youngest has an insatiable sweet tooth that makes it difficult for him to sit still for more than a few moments during mealtime. Although chaotic dinners are a common struggle, I’ve learned to accept that this is part of the parenting journey.
The time frame between when my kids return from school and their bedtime can be utterly hectic, especially when it comes to their hunger. They rarely eat a substantial lunch, which seems to be a common issue among their peers, so by the time they walk through the door, they are beyond hungry—they are HANGRY. I remember those days all too well; the struggle is real.
For years, I resorted to after-school snacks to quell their hunger. You know the usual suspects: pizza bagels, hummus with pita chips, granola bars—anything quick and relatively healthy. However, these snacks turned into a constant grazing session from 3 to 4 p.m., which only made dinnertime a frustrating affair. The two meals blurred together into one confusing eating spree.
Then one day, an idea struck me: Why not serve dinner earlier, around 3 or 4 p.m., when they are most ravenous? I could provide a balanced meal (or as balanced as their picky palates will allow) and save the snacks for later. This plan has been in action for a few months now, and it has proven to be brilliant.
Preparing a meal at that hour can sometimes be challenging, and yes, there are moments when I resort to appetizers if they’re especially hungry. But what I serve is simple—think pasta, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, paired with fruits or veggies. They actually enjoy it, and it’s far more nutritious than the endless snacks that used to spoil their appetites.
Dinner time now happens before they tackle their homework, which means they are energized and content when it’s time to hit the books. You might wonder if they end up ravenous before bed. They do have the option for healthy snacks later, but this approach has significantly reduced the mindless snacking that used to occur before and after dinner.
As for me, I often join them at the dinner table. Like many parents, I wake up early, so my meals tend to be served earlier as well. While I might not eat at exactly the same time as my kids, I usually enjoy a healthy meal around 4:30 or 5, followed by a small snack once the kids are asleep.
So yes, my children eat dinner at 3 or 4 p.m. While it may sound unusual to some, I’ve found that many parents have adopted a similar schedule or expressed interest in trying it. After all, kids usually sleep by 8 p.m., so why should they wait until 6 or 7 to eat? Early dinners align better with their natural rhythms, and this change has helped alleviate some of the evening chaos.
Feeding my kids at an early hour has been a game changer, and I can’t believe it took me so long to realize it. For those who think I’m crazy for breaking away from the traditional dinner time, I pose this question: Does it really matter what time it is? Kids don’t concern themselves with socially acceptable meal times—they simply need to be fed. My mantra is simple: Feed your children well when they’re hungry. Find what works for your family, and let go of the rest.
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Summary
Shifting my kids’ dinner time to 3 or 4 p.m. has transformed our mealtime chaos into a more manageable routine. By serving a nutritious meal when they are most hungry, I find they are happier and more focused during homework. This schedule aligns better with their natural rhythms and has significantly reduced the endless snacking that used to disrupt our evenings. Ultimately, feeding kids when they are hungry—rather than adhering to traditional meal times—has proved to be a beneficial approach for our family.