As a parent, navigating mealtimes can often be a challenge. My eldest is an incredibly picky eater, and my youngest has an unshakeable sweet tooth, rarely managing to remain seated at the table for more than three minutes. Sometimes, mealtimes feel like a chaotic circus, but I recognize that this is a common struggle among parents.
The time between school dismissal and bedtime can be particularly hectic, especially when it comes to satisfying their appetites. They typically don’t eat much for lunch at school, which I’ve found is quite typical, and when they return home, they are absolutely famished. I’m not talking about a minor hunger; I mean the kind of hunger that leads to a full-on meltdown—“Feed me now or I’ll lie on the floor wailing for half an hour!” Hungry kids are a real challenge.
For years, I resorted to after-school snacks—think mini-pizza bagels, granola bars, and pita with hummus—anything quick and relatively nutritious. However, these snacks just turned into an endless cycle of grazing from 3 to 4 PM, leaving little room for actual dinner, which felt like a mere continuation of snacking. This was frustrating and confusing for everyone involved.
Then one day, I had an epiphany: Why not serve them dinner right around 3 or 4 PM, when they are clearly the hungriest? I figured I could dish up a healthy meal (or at least as healthy as my picky eaters would tolerate) and reserve snacks for later. I decided to give it a shot, and this new strategy has been an absolute game changer.
Sure, whipping up a meal for them at that hour can be tricky, and sometimes they dive into appetizers if their hunger is overwhelming. But it’s manageable, and I stick to simple dishes like pasta, grilled cheese, or chicken nuggets, accompanied by a fruit or vegetable. They actually enjoy it, and it’s significantly more nutritious than the haphazard snacking we used to have.
They usually eat this early dinner before tackling homework, which means they’re well-fed and in a good mood when it’s time to hit the books. But what about those late-night hunger pangs? They can still snack later if they feel the need—preferably healthier options, of course. This has significantly reduced the mindless snacking that used to occur before and after dinner, which is a win in my book.
As for me, I often join them for this early meal. Like many parents, my day starts early, and I find myself eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at around the same time as my kids. So, while I might not eat quite as early as they do, I typically enjoy a nourishing meal by 5 PM, followed by a small snack after they’ve gone to bed.
Yes, my kids eat dinner at 3 or 4 PM, and while it might seem unconventional, I’ve discovered that many of my friends do the same thing or are interested in trying it. With kids typically going to bed around 8 PM, it makes sense for them to eat earlier rather than waiting until 6 or 7 PM. This schedule aligns better with their natural rhythms and even helps mitigate the infamous 4 PM “witching hour.”
Feeding my kids an early dinner has proven to be a fantastic solution, and I can’t believe it took me so long to figure it out. For anyone who thinks I’m a little eccentric for doing this, I ask: Does it really matter what time it is? Kids don’t care about socially acceptable dinner hours—they just want to eat when they’re hungry.
So here’s my motto: Serve your kids nutritious meals when they’re feeling hungry. Go with what works for your family, and let the rest fall by the wayside. Bon appétit!
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In summary, serving dinner to my children in the afternoon has transformed our mealtime experience, aligning their hunger with a healthier dining schedule and fostering a more peaceful evening routine.